Emma Mair, Director of Learning and Engagement

Emma Mair (she/her) is the Director of Learning and Engagement at Temple B’nai Abraham, where she brings a deep commitment to inclusive, meaningful Jewish education and experience across all ages. Emma grew up on the North Shore and studied psychology, education, and religion at Mount Holyoke College. She is now pursuing rabbinic ordination and a Master’s of Jewish Studies at Hebrew College as well as a Master’s of Organizational Leadership and Innovation at Hebrew Union College. Emma has worked in many different capacities in congregations, Hebrew schools, immersive youth experiences, and college communities; online and in-person, and with many ages and abilities. She approaches her work with a philosophy rooted in relationship-building, love of Torah, and passion for creating spaces where people of all backgrounds feel seen, valued, and inspired to explore Jewish life. Emma lives in Burlington, MA with her wife, Kelly, and their dog, Luna.

Karen Tassinari

The next time you call or visit our office, you’ll be greeted by our wonderful Office Manager, Karen Tassinari. She brings a wealth of experience, having worked as an Executive Administrative Assistant, Receptionist/ Management Assistant, and small business owner. Outside the office, she has a passion for animals of all kinds, enjoys sewing and baking, and loves capturing special moments through photography.

Cantor Matt Axelrod

Cantor Matt Axelrod is thrilled to be returning home to Temple B’nai Abraham to co-lead services for the High Holidays with Rabbi Adler. Matt’s family have been a constant presence and integral part of TBA, where his parents Saul and Muriel will always be remembered for their endless time and devotion to the shul. Matt feels tremendously honored and humbled for this opportunity to lead services and come back to the very place where it all began.

Matt is a graduate of Brandeis University and received his Masters of Sacred Music and Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has served Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains, NJ, for the past 33 years. This summer, Matt will be leaving his pulpit to take on the position of Executive Director of the Cantors Assembly, the largest group of professional cantors in the world.

Matt is the author of three books: Surviving Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah: The Ultimate Insider’s Guide, Your Guide to the Jewish Holidays: From Shofar to Seder, and Raising the Bar Mitzvah: Reimagining What Our Kids Learn. His numerous articles have appeared in MyJewishLearning.com, Tablet Magazine, and the online Bar/Bat Mitvah Guide. He has been a frequent presenter at synagogues, Jewish community centers and conferences, speaking to groups of parents and teens about the process of preparing for their b’nei mitzvah and how to successfully navigate that period. Most recently, Matt appeared–briefly–in the HBO miniseries “The Plot Against America.”

Cantor Axelrod is also an avid aviation enthusiast, and is a licensed pilot and flight instructor. When not flying over New Jersey, he is likely out running and training for his next marathon. He is married to Tali, a public school principal, and they are the proud parents of Judah and Josh.

Julie Zieff

Julie and her family have been TBA members since 2004. Julie has been a Board member since 2023 and became First Vice President in 2025.  She has also served on the Boards of the Jewish Journal and TBA Sisterhood. As a teacher in the Beverly Public Schools for 34 years, Julie had a meaningful career teaching elementary and middle school students. Julie lives in Beverly with her husband Eric, and works part time as an Academic Coach at Endicott College. They have two grown children who went through the religious school and became b’nai mitzvah at TBA.

Ben Weiss

Ben has served on the Board since 2021. Previously served as Second VP and Recording Secretary. Also served for 10 years on the NSJCC Board as Treasurer, President and Immediate Past President. Former member of Temple Shalom. Has a daughter in the Religious School. Lives in Peabody with his wife Tammy and two daughters. Ben is a Revenue Marketing Manager for Imprivata in Waltham.

Patti Bernstein

Patti joined TBA in 2022. In 2024, she celebrated her adult bat mitzvah along with three other women classmates after months of study with the Rabbi. Since 2024, she has been a member of the Ritual Committee and has recently joined the Social Action committee. A graduate of Connecticut College and Boston College Law School, Patti spent her legal career serving the Commonwealth of MA first as a prosecutor for the Middlesex District Attorney and MA Attorney General, and then as a trial judge for the Boston Municipal Court where she presided over criminal and civil matters for 20 plus years. Since stepping away from the bench, Patti has been active in the dispute resolution field, serving as a mediator and arbitrator in the Greater Boston area. A native of Connecticut and longtime former Brookline resident, she resides in Beverly with her wife. They are parents of two adult daughters. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, skiing and attending most spectator sports.

Michael Katzenstein

Michael has been a member of Temple B’nai Abraham since 1993. Michael has served on the TBA board in the past as Financial Secretary and currently serves as the TBA Treasurer. Michael currently is a math teacher at Beverly High School and was the President of Behavioral Health Care Consultants, a small hospital management consulting firm which he founded in 1994. Michael lives in Beverly with his wife Paige.

Tom Cheatham

Tom and his wife Suzie have been residents of Swampscott since 1984. They joined Temple B’nai Abraham as part of the merger with Temple Shalom in Salem. Tom has recently retired from his role as CFO of the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore. Tom started his first career in high tech where he served 6.5 years in the IDF Computer Corps. Tom has been an entrepreneur and helped found a high tech company that was based in Yokneam Israel. Tom is the Financial Secretary at the Temple and helps out with the books. Tom also enjoys participating in the ritual life of the Temple. Tom has recently taken up ocean sculling and loves it. Tom and Suzie have three children and ten grandchildren.

Lynn Duncan

Lynn has been a member of TBA since about 2000 when she joined with her daughter, Nora, in search of community. Nora attended Hebrew School and had her Bat Mitzvah at TBA, and was married by Rabbi Adler. Lynn first served as the Coordinator of the Maccabees youth program when Nora was young. When she retired from a 35-year career in urban planning in 2016, Lynn joined the Sisterhood Board, and had stints as Membership Chair and Co-President. She has been on the TBA Board for three years, serving as Recording Secretary this past year. Lynn currently serves as President of another non-profit board and lives in Wenham with her partner, Jim Staples.

David Carnevale

David has been a part of the TBA community since 2004 and has actively contributed to the Executive Board since 2006. David is currently serving on the Executive Committee as Board of Directors Liaison and, in the past, has served as Second Vice President and Recording Secretary. Additionally, David has dedicated his time and efforts to organizing an impactful program called “The Monday Night Supper”, which has been running successfully for the past 12 years. This program, sponsored by the temple, aims to provide nourishment and support to the homeless and underprivileged residents of Beverly on the third Monday of every month. With his expertise as a contractor, David has made invaluable contributions to the temple, assisting in numerous ways to further its mission and goals.

Bonnie Kaplan Goldsmith

Bonnie had a 40-year career in communications, public relations and marketing, principally in health care and earlier in high tech. She is currently freelancing in her field. Bonnie has been a Temple B’nai Abraham and Temple Shalom member for more than 25 years. She is an active member of the TBA community, devoting her time to Sisterhood, Ritual and the Board. She also chaired the Board’s Nominating Committee and served on a variety of other task forces and committees. She and her husband Arnie can always be found on or near water in Beverly or Key West, looking for the next big fish.

Michelle Baer

Prior to joining TBA, Michelle had a long history with Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester where she served as Sisterhood/Hadassah president for 10 years, was a member of the ritual committee and taught art in religious school. In search of a different experience, Michelle and her husband David later joined Temple Israel in Portsmouth, NH before joining TBA. Michelle has a granddaughter in the Religious School and celebrated her older granddaughter’s bat mitzvah at TBA in 2024. She joined the TBA Board in 2023 and served as Co-Vice President for a year on the Executive Committee. She and her husband, David, live in Manchester-by-the-Sea. 

Bob Bender

Bob has lived in Merrimac, MA since 1987 and belonged to Temple Emanu-el in Haverhill where he served on the Executive Committee for about 15 years and served as President for four years. In 2002, he became President of the Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation (MVJF) and served for five years. Bob led the Allocations Committee for several years before and during his years as President of the Federation. The Haverhill congregation voted to close and merge with the main reform congregation in the Merrimack Valley. Four years ago, Bob and Sandy chose to join TBA as it provided an open and welcoming community and stable leadership. At TBA, Bob joined the Ritual Committee and Chevra Kadisha and was welcomed into a vibrant minyan including Torah study. For 35 years before he retired, Bob was an Assistant District Attorney in Essex, Worcester, and Middlesex counties.

Jason Breitkopf

Jason Breitkopf has been a part of the TBA community since 2011 and a board member since 2024. Both of his children, AJ and Michael, celebrated their B’nai Mitzvot at TBA. Jason, his wife, and children live in Beverly. Jason also serves on the TBA Ritual Committee and is a member of the TBA Brotherhood. Originally from New Jersey, Jason was Bar Mitzvah at Temple Beth-El of Cranford. Jason graduated from Brandeis University and currently works in education at a private company writing curriculum and managing a team of 80 tutors and counselors.

James Cohen

James (Jimmy) Cohen joined Temple B’nai Abraham (TBA) following the merger with Temple Shalom, where the Cohen and Axelrod families had been active members for generations. At Temple Shalom, James served as First Vice President, as well as a Board member and served on various committees, including chairing the Rabbi Search Committee. Jimmy continues his involvement at TBA as a Cemetery Trustee and has been active on the Human Resources Committee since its inception. He served on the Temple Board during the pandemic when he was able to participate remotely from Maryland. He is also an active member of Brotherhood and a member of Sisterhood. He enjoys participating in the Social Action Committee and social action initiatives and attending Shabbat services along with other TBA events. Outside of Temple life, Jimmy is a Senior Consultant in healthcare supply chain management and lives in Danvers. He enjoys condo-style gardening, the annual New Year’s polar plunge in Swampscott with the Cheatham crowd, an occasional round of golf, and spending time with friends, some of whom he has known since age four. He enjoys all types of music and live entertainment. He is also a member of the North Shore NAACP. Most of all, Jimmy treasures time with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter in Rhode Island.

Anita Freed

Anita Freed and her family have been a part of the TBA community since 1994. In 2025, Anita stepped in to fill a vacancy on the Board. Over the years, Anita edited the monthly TBA Bulletin (back when it was printed!) with notorious perfection, served on the School Committee and baked and cooked for Bikur Cholim. She previously served on the TBA Board from 2010-2014. Anita and her husband Phil are the parents of two daughters who attended TBA’s Religious School and celebrated their Bat Mitzvahs at TBA. Their daughter Aimee is a teacher in the JCC pre-school at TBA! A Danvers resident, Anita works as an estate planning and estate administration paralegal for a law firm in Peabody.

Stephanie Levin

Stephanie Levin joined Temple B’nai Abraham in the fall of 2023 after returning to the North Shore, where she grew up, following nearly 40 years living in New York City and Philadelphia. She was drawn to TBA as a community that values learning, engagement and showing up for one another. Stephanie is an education policy researcher with more than 20 years of professional and volunteer experience advocating for children and families furthest from opportunity. Her work focuses on education policy, school finance, and equitable access for all students. She lives with her husband, Eddie, and their dog, Luna, and enjoys spending more time with her parents now that she is back in the Boston area. She is also the proud mom of Errol, Alana, and Willow. At TBA, Stephanie is actively involved as a coleader of the Social Action/Tikkun Olam Committee and participates in the TBA Book Club, Rosh Chodesh, and Sea Change. She is glad to call TBA home and looks forward to contributing through Board service. 

Josh Meyers

Josh Meyers is originally from Maryland by way of California and moved to Danvers with his family in 2023. They found Temple B’nai Abraham through a PJ Library-advertised Shabbat by the Sea and that spring attended the Passover Seder with their family. They were struck by the welcoming culture and atmosphere of TBA and they quickly decided that this was the place for them. Since then, Josh has only grown more attached to the shul, enjoying the opportunities of teaching adult education, both with Rabbi Adler and teaching a class on Jewish History. Josh is honored to be the President of the re-founded Brotherhood and would be eager to find other ways of contributing to the shul! He is the Student Services Coordinator at Salem Academy Charter School. Previously he was Assistant Director/Director of Education at Fusion Academy in Burlington from 2021-2025 and a Starr Fellow in Jewish Studies at Harvard from 2019-2020.

Donna Pierce

Donna is a 20-year temple member, who is a long term Board member, and has served on numerous subcommittees. She co-chaired the presidency of Sisterhood for eight years. Donna worked in claims management for a large property casualty insurance company, prior to working in claims administration for a law firm. Now retired, she resides in Beverly with her husband Alan. She is a Jewish Journal Board member.

Jessica Schenkel

 Jessica grew up in Beverly and has a long-standing connection to TBA, having attended services and graduated from the Temple’s religious school. She went on to attend Pingree School and graduated from Brandeis University.

Jessica began her career in financial services, spending a decade working for Kidder Peabody, Merrill Lynch, and Fidelity/National Financial. After taking time away from her career to raise her two children, she became deeply involved in the community, volunteering extensively at the JCC in Marblehead, where she served for many years on the Board of Directors and then as President.

Jessica eventually returned to the workforce and found her passion in residential real estate. She has spent the past 25 years helping individuals and families navigate the process of buying and selling homes—a career she continues to love.

Giving back has always been an important part of Jessica’s life. For the past six years, she has volunteered Monday evenings at Kaplan Family Hospice, where she can be found welcoming visitors and patients at the reception desk.

As a member of the TBA Board, Jessica is excited to give back to the community that has been an important part of her family’s life for so many years.

Larry Taitelbaum

Larry was the Treasurer of Temple Shalom-Salem when it merged with TBA in 2014. He serves on the Ritual and Finance committees in addition to the TBA Board.  A veteran of the USAF (1967-1970), Larry is active and a past Commander of JWV North Shore post 220. Larry’s career (now retired)  in computer high-tech started in 1967 in data automation and he has marketed/sold products serving Computer Graphics, Machine Vision, CAD/CAM and Computer imaging since then.  His HAM radio license, issued in the mid-60s,  (WA8BYL)  is still active. Larry and Sharon live in Swampscott and have 4 boys and 3 grandchildren scattered throughout the US.

Eric Zieff

Eric  has begun his second turn on the board, having served on the board for many years, over 10 years ago. Eric served on the Executive Committee during his first board tenure. Eric and Julie are the proud parents of Matthew and Emily, who received their Hebrew School education and were B’nai Mitzvahed at TBA. Eric is a Licensed Psychologist who has run a private practice in Wakefield, Mass for the past 18 years.

Donna Cohen

Donna Cohen has been teaching at TBA for 15 years. During the week she teaches Special Ed at Bates Elementary School in Salem, tutors at Sylvan Learning Center and coaches Middle School Field Hockey in Swampscott. Her passion is Arts & Crafts and she enjoys teaching through play-based learning & crafts. TBA is a very special place and she looks forward to meeting new students and families as we celebrate Jewish Holidays and Jewish Values.

Beti Levine

Beti Levine has been teaching at TBA Hebrew school since 2014. Through the years she has taught kindergarten through grade seven Hebrew reading and writing, as well as Jewish holidays. She is certified to teach Hebrew Through Movement. Previously, she taught at Temple Ner Tamid Hebrew school and preschool.

Dina Davidyan

Dina Davidyan has been teaching for over 30 years at synagogues on the North Shore. She takes great pride in helping young Jewish people become menschs (upstanding people). Dina earned a degree in sociology and political science from the University in Haifa and works at her family’s dental office. Dina is looking forward to a wonderful year of learning together.

Aimee Freed

Aimee Freed grew up at TBA and has been teaching in the Hebrew school for several years. During the week, Aimee teaches preschoolers at the JCCNS Extension program at TBA. She is looking forward to welcoming a new class of students to a community that she loves.

Jane Cohen

Jane Cohen is a retired high school English teacher,
former Special Education teacher, and Special Education
Coordinator. She taught religious school at TBA for over
10 years in the 1990’s, and recently in the 2020’s. She has
taught religious school at Temple Emanuel in Marblehead,
and Temple Ner Tamid in Peabody. She loves introducing
her students to Jewish values, holidays, life cycles, Torah
study, and prayer. She is looking forward to exploring the
Jewish curriculum this year with her students. It is so
amazing to watch them connect to the ideas, share their
experiences, and embrace the values.

Kelly Mair

Kelly Mair (she/her) is an early childhood educator with experience working in daycare and private-nannying settings. She earned a degree in Education from Mount Holyoke College, where she first got involved in Jewish life. Kelly believes in a play-based, child-centered approach to learning that fosters curiosity, creativity, and empathy. She finds joy in helping children connect with Jewish holidays, values, and rituals in ways that are meaningful, joyful, and developmentally appropriate.