Why TBA

It feels like home. We care about each other, and our loving relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

Come celebrate holidays, share a meal, go on a nature walk, get your hands dirty in our vegetable garden, cook for neighbors in need, discuss ethics or theology, do some Jewish yoga or join us for a Shabbat service at the beach. Our community includes interfaith and LGBTQ families and individuals, singles, and people from all kinds of Jewish backgrounds. Stop by and introduce yourself. We look forward to meeting you.

VIEW OUR GUIDING VALUES

Our Rabbi

Rabbi Alison Adler seeks to help people of all ages find their own spiritual path while being part of a vibrant, caring community. She has participated in leadership programs with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and loves to share the wisdom of Jewish texts and contemplative practice. She is a founding member of the Beverly Multifaith Coalition and serves on the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis.  Rabbi Alison is active with ECCO (Essex County Community Organization), an interfaith organization of about 50 congregations working on racial and economic justice, and was a member of the Beverly Human Rights Committee for seven years. She was a member of the inaugural class at the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College in Newton, MA. She received her BA from Kenyon College and MA in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University. Her greatest joys are her husband Chuck, son Leo and their two dogs Cypress and Zev. She enjoys hiking, yoga, gardening, and Chuck’s excellent cooking.

Staff

Anna Wolfe

Rabbinic Intern
Anna Wolfe (she/her) is a fourth year rabbinical student at Hebrew College. She grew up in Milwaukee, WI and studied theater and gender studies at Columbia College Chicago. After her undergraduate degree, Anna worked as a theater artist, a teaching artist in Chicago Public Schools, and as Mishkan Chicago’s Family Program Coordinator and Lead Educator at their progressive religious school, the Mensch Academy. During her time in rabbinical school she has served as Muhlenberg College’s Rabbinic Intern, a Froman Fellow through the New Israel Fund, and received a certificate in Experiential Jewish Education from Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. She is currently a Launchpad Fellow through the Nachshon Project Graduate Fellowship. Anna has spent the past three summers on staff at the Brandeis Collegiate Institute in LA, where she has worked as a Program Fellow and most recently as the Performing Arts Educator. Anna lives in Jamaica Plain with her husband Sam, their dog Evie, and a soon to be new addition, coming this July (B’H). She is looking forward to joining the TBA team this fall, meeting the community, and engaging together in joyful, meaningful, creative Judaism!
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Emma Mair, Learning and Engagement Coordinator

Emma Mair (she/her/hers) is a Jewish educator and spiritual leader who celebrates Jewish joy, asks bold questions, and facilitates meaningful and enriching experiences for all kinds of people.

She grew up in an interfaith family and deeply immersed in the Jewish community on the North Shore.

After graduating from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Religion and Psychology & Education, Emma began studying at Hebrew College where she is pursuing rabbinic ordination and a Masters of Jewish Studies.

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. Her educational philosophy centers around the holistic development of the learner’s mind, body, and spirit. Her hope is that through project-based and experiential learning, learners will become connected to Jewish traditions and values, ultimately making them their own. 

She is looking forward to getting to know the Temple B’nai Abraham community both as a member and as the Learning and Engagement Coordinator. Please reach out anytime.

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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.

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Leadership

Bonnie Kaplan Goldsmith

President

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.

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Michelle Baer

Co-Vice President

Michelle Baer Bio coming soon

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Jay Duchin

Co-Vice President

Jay Duchin Bio Coming Soon

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Michael Katzenstein

Treasurer

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.

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Tom Cheatham

Financial Secretary

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.

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Ben Weiss

Recording Secretary

Ben Weiss Bio coming soon

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David Carnevale

Board of Directors Liaison

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.

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Ken Hartman

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Board of Directors

Jason Breitkopf
Jane Cohen
Lynn Duncan
Ken Hartman
Cindy Lann
Joel Myerson
Alan Pierce
Donna Pierce
Marcy Ross
Mindy Sevinor
Larry Taitelbaum
Julie Zieff

Eileen Edelstein, Honorary Life Member
Linda Magalnick, Honorary Life Member

Teachers

Donna Cohen

Zera’im (K/1) Teacher

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.

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Beti Levine

Shorashim (2/3) Teacher

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.

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Allison Wolper

Etzim Teacher (6/7) Teacher

Allison Wolper is a life-long member of Temple B’nai Abraham.  She attended TBA’s Religious School and Confirmation Classes, had her Bat Mitzvah, and participated in Kadima and BBYO.  She also attended Hebrew High School at Temple Israel in Swampscott.  Allison has been working at TBA since she was a sophomore in high school.  She was a part-time after-school secretary, youth group advisor and director, substitute teacher, and now, for the last 18 years, as a teacher.   She graduated from Clark University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and from Salem State University with a master’s degree in Social Work.  Allison is currently the Director of Education at the Sylvan Learning Center in Danvers.  When she can, Allison loves to travel to North Conway, NH and visit family and friends in Missouri, Florida and Arizona. She is also a very big Snoopy fan and has a chinchilla named Linus!

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Aimee Freed

Zera’im (K/1) Teacher

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

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Kelly Lynch

Babies & Toddlers Teacher

Kelly Lynch (she/her) is an EEC-certified toddler teacher at the Goddard School in Middleton. She earned a degree in Education from Mount Holyoke College, where she was captain of the basketball team and served as the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Kelly uses play-based learning and sensory exploration to facilitate enriching experiences for our youngest community members. She is looking forward to meeting your kiddos!

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History

On June 4, 1908, Congregation Sons of Abraham was established to serve the religious needs of the growing Jewish population in Beverly. Now well into our second century, Temple B’nai Abraham remains the spiritual, educational and social center of Jewish life for over 15 cities and towns in the Greater Beverly area.

Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA 1908

1908

The local Hebrew colony has formed a congregation, known as the Sons of Abraham, and with 80 names on the list, will meet in the Wood Building at 71 Rantoul Street, at the corner of Rantoul and Pleasant.

Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA 1911

1911

Building erected on property purchased at 37 Bow Street. The building will house three merged congregations – Sons of Abraham, Sons of Abraham and Isaac and Sons of Israel.

Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA 1913

1913

A Cornerstone was laid at the Bow Street Shul for the newly named Congregation Sons of Abraham and Isaac.

Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA 1930

1930

A two-story Hebrew Community Center is built alongside the Synagogue on Bow Street.

Rabbi Meyer Finklestein 1936 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1936-1945

Rabbi Meyer Finklestein becomes the first ordained Rabbi at Congregation Sons of Abraham and Isaac on Bow Street.

Cole Street Cemetery Dedication Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1942-1947

A permit is granted by the Board of Aldermen to the Sons of Abraham to build a cemetery on Cole Street. Cemetery on Cole Street is dedicated.

Fire destroys synagogue 1945 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1945

Fire destroys the Synagogue and Community Center on Bow Street.

rededication 1947 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1947

Rededication of the new combination Synagogue and Community Center on Bow Street.

Fundraising event 1960 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1960

Fundraising began for new building on East Lothrop Street.

Ground breaking ceremony 1961 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1961

Ground breaking for new building on East Lothrop Street. Board votes to rename the corporation Temple B’nai Abraham.

Dedication of new Temple 1962 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1962

Dedication of new Temple.

Bette Siegel, First Female President 1975, Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1975

First Female Temple President – Bette Siegel was elected to a 2-year term.

Mortgage burning ceremony. 1978 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

1978

Mortgage burning ceremony.

Cemetery Sign

2007

Temple B’nai Abraham Interfaith cemetery established.

Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA 100th anniversary 2008

2008

TBA celebrates the 100th anniversary of the congregation.

Rubenstein Garden Dedication Ceremony 2009 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

2009

Martha and Max Rubenstein Garden dedication ceremony.

Rabbi Alison Adler 2010 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

2011

First Woman Rabbi, Rabbi Alison Adler.

Pe'ah Garden established 2012 Temple B'nai Abraham Beverly MA

2012

Pe'ah Garden established.

Temple Shalom, Salem, MA

2014

Temple B'nai Abraham merges with Temple Shalom of Salem.

Temple B'nai Abraham new logo, 2017

2017

TBA undergoes a rebrand. New logo designed.