Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum
Rabbi Rosenbaum comes to us from Worcester, Massachusetts but he has been connected to the Seattle-area for a very long time. His wife, Janine was born and raised in Seward Park. He’s also an unabashed fan of the Seattle Mariners who frequently uses baseball analogies in his sermons.
Rabbi’s vision for Herzl-Ner Tamid is a congregation that is vibrant, warm, welcoming and that has the ability to convey excitement about Jewish living to Jews of all ages.
His innovative programming, including Build a Sukkah, Lag B’Omer Bonfire, Tu B’Shevat Seder and Make a Lulav Shake both engage and educate congregants.
With degrees from NYU (1972), Rutgers University (1974) and Jewish Theological Seminary (1980), Rabbi Rosenbaum has more than twenty years of rabbinical experience. He has distinguished himself as a man of creativity, passion and compassion with innovative programming that both engages and educates.
Cantor Bradlee Kurland
I love Herzl-Ner Tamid. This wonderful congregation has been my home for over 20 years now. During that time, I’ve seen us grow in size, diversity and spirit. Because we freely practice the Jewish custom of hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests), our synagogue is seen as a center for Jews throughout the Seattle-area. I’m pleased and proud that we’ve become a favorite place for community gatherings that cultivate Klal Yisrael (the unity of the Jewish people). In my book, that’s what the shul should be—our “other home,” a place that welcomes us from birth through old age.
Nadine Strauss
Executive Director
Nadine joined the HNT staff in 1989 as program director, and became the Executive Director in 1991. A native Texan, she holds a BS from University of Texas and masters work in continuing education. She oversees most administrative areas of the synagogue as well as supporting on-going development and planning. She has served on the board of the National Association of Synagogue Executives and is a volunteer in a variety of civic organizations. An enthusiastic cyclist in her spare time, Nadine brings a perspective gained from long time service as well as best practices in current trends to serve our congregational community.
Rabbi Jill Levy
Director of Congregational Learning
Rabbi Jill Levy brings a wealth of experience and education to the newly established position of Director of Congregational Learning, and oversees learning opportunities from early childhood through teens and adults, as well as assuming the helm of our Frankel Religious School (FRS).
Rabbi Levy was ordained in May 2011 from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, where she also held the prestigious Wexner Fellowship as well as being a Legacy Heritage Fellow. Additionally, she holds a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, and did a post graduate program in Jewish text at Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. Rabbi Levy knows the Northwest well as she earned her undergraduate degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Washington.
Serving as both a student rabbi and a Rabbinic Intern in diverse congregations provided a wide variety of experiences for her. She has created educational curricula for all ages and worked with B’nai Mitzvah students and their families, and has taught in many areas of adult education and in camp settings. Rabbi Levy is married to Matthew Silverman and they have two daughters, Nava and Miriam. They are excited to be a part of the HNT community.
Leslie Reibman
Program Director
Leslie has been the Program Director at HNT for four years. She helps new members get involved in synagogue life and helps committees create exciting events. Leslie taught first grade for several years in Los Angeles, and is happy to be back in Seattle spending time with her family. She brings her vibrant enthusiasm and excitement to all of the events she’s actively involved in.
Nancy Babbs
Controller
Nancy Babbs has been the Controller for Herzl-Ner Tamid since 1997. She prepares financial statements for HNT, Herzl Memorial Park, and HNT Endowment Foundation. Nancy is the Administrator for Human Resources, including payroll and payroll taxes, and is also the administrator for the file server, database system, and financial software.
Carol Weiss Maslan
Facility Operations/Membership Services
Becoming an HNT staff member in 1990, Carol’s primary responsibilities include building maintenance and operation, lifecycle event planning, overseeing the Mashgichim (Kitchen Supervisors) Corps and our kosher kitchen, as well as serving as staff contact for the Mitzvah Corps. A 45-year member of the congregation, Carol’s non-working hours are filled with family, cooking, gardening and hosting friends for Shabbat and holidays. She and her family are proud of their many generations at HNT.
Carol Reynolds
Clergy Assistant
Carol assists the clergy with all lifecycle events, including engagements, weddings, baby namings and britot milah, b’nai mitzvah lesson scheduling, hospital visits, and funerals. When you call HNT to speak with either Rabbi or Cantor, you will often be connected to Carol; she schedules the majority of their appointments. Aside from being a clergy assistant, she is a second generation native Northwesterner, and farmed for six years with her husband Ken Reynolds z”l in the San Joaquin Valley in California. She has two wonderful adult children, and enjoys brisk walks, yoga, skiing, reading, movies, and all types of music.
Andi Neuwirth
Frankel Religious School Assistant
Andi Neuwirth has been working at Herzl-Ner Tamid for the past 15 years. Her role at the Synagogue is two-fold: she is the administrative support person for the Frankel Religious School and Adult Education, as well as a teacher in the school. Her specialty is with families who have special-needs children, often working with various area school districts to benefit the needs of the child. Andi and her husband have been active members of HNT, and have many grandchildren whom they love to visit.
Andrew Hess
Communications Coordinator
When Andrew became an HNT staff member in 2009, he brought with him over 20 years of experience in graphic design. Andrew’s primary focus is designing and editing HaKol every month, as well as the synagogue’s other marketing and promotional materials – not limited to such things as posters, invitations, and postcards. Off-hours are spent with his family, collecting comic books, and memorizing movie trivia.
Michelle Hay
Assistant Accountant
Michelle has worked at HNT as the Accounting Assistant since September 2011. She mainly handles the billing, accounts payable and accounts receivable. Michelle has a Associates in Accounting and Administration from Edmonds Community College and is currently working towards her Bachelors in Accounting at the University of Washington.
Nicole Elbling
Registration/Front Desk
Nicole Elbling just joined the main office as front desk coordinator but she has been teaching in the Franklin Religious School since 1992. You hear her voice answering the phone when you call Herzl-Ner Tamid. She does a lot of triage answering congregants’ requests and questions and also takes care of other office tasks as they come along including special projects. She was born and raised in Paris, France and also lived in Israel for 3 years on a kibbutz before coming to the United State. She is the proud mother of 3 children and even prouder grandmother if that is possible of a wonderful grandson.
Carol Stockton
Special Projects
Carol Stockton, who has been an avid volunteer and member of the congregation for 20 years, now assists with special projects and programming support. She works with Rabbi Rosenbaum, Nadine Strauss, Leslie Reibman, and other staff, as well as members of the congregation. She has a background in law, community outreach and program support.
Chhoeuk Soeun
Head Custodian
Chhoeuk (Chuck) Soeun has been the Head Custodian for almost 30 years, caring for, repairing, and improving our facilities. He came to HNT to provide some temporary support for a project and started to fix other things he saw needing attention. He and his wife Elaine, who were married at our waterfront park by Rabbi Pomerantz, have one daughter, Tammy, who recently graduated from the University of Washington.