CLERGY
Rabbi Paul Steinberg
A nationally recognized transformational spiritual leader and educator, a lively teacher and storyteller, Rabbi Paul Steinberg is dedicated to building Jewish community by nurturing personal relationships, cultivating Jewish values through life-long learning, and engaging congregants in life-affirming, joyful expression.
Prior to arriving at Kol Shofar, Rabbi Steinberg served as the Rabbi and Director of Jewish Studies at Levine Academy: A Solomon Schechter School in Dallas, Texas; Senior Educator and Associate Rabbi at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California; and Community Rabbi of Beit T’Shuvah in Los Angeles. While in these positions, he served on local and national boards and taught Jewish philosophy in the Graduate School of Education at American Jewish University.
Cantor Naomi Weiss
Born in the Bay Area, Cantor Naomi Weiss joined the Kol Shofar community most recently from Chicago, where she served as the Ritual Director of Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago and Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook. She worked previously as a freelance cantor and b’nei mitzvah tutor around the Chicagoland area at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue, Anshe Emet, Chicago Sinai, and Temple Sholom. She was given the title of “Hazzan” in November 2022 after completing the Cantors Assembly Internship Program under the loving mentorship of Hazzanim Alberto Mizrahi and Sarah Alexander.
Cantor Naomi is passionate about making the B’nei Mitzvah experience positive, challenging, and rewarding for our children, and creating community in all areas of synagogue life. She easily connects with multiple demographics and generations. A bat mitzvah parent dubbed her "The Tween Whisperer," and she has been described by a minyan regular as having a "wonderful mixture of piety and levity."
Email: nweiss@kolshofar.org
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The STAFF
KAIA BURKETT
Executive Director
kburkett@kolshofar.org
KAIA BURKETT
Executive Director
Kaia has been with Kol Shofar since October of 2015. She has served in senior executive and management positions with organizations focusing on social justice issues and social services for over 25 years. Her volunteer work has included serving on the boards of the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley and Sylvester Rutledge Senior Housing, as well as the Steering Committee for the Breast Health Access Center for Women with Disabilities at Alta Bates Hospital. She holds an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary and a BA in Communications from Vanderbilt University.
DENICE ASAZAWA
Accounts + Bookkeeper
dasazawa@kolshofar.org
DENICE ASAZAWA
Accounts Manager/Bookkeeper
Denice is a lifelong resident of San Francisco and brings over 40 years in bookkeeping experience to Kol Shofar. She joined Kol Shofar in June 2016. Her expertise in synagogue accounting comes from providing bookkeeping services to synagogues for over 35 years. Prior to her synagogue focus, Denice worked in accounting services for both the healthcare and restaurant industries. She holds an AA in English Studies from City College of San Francisco.
KATHERINE BARBONI
The Grove Preschool Director
kbarboni@kolshofar.org
KATHERINE BARBONI
The Grove Preschool Director
Katherine leads The Grove Preschool as the Director of Early Childhood Education. She brings leadership skills and experience from her previous position as Director of Early Childhood Education at San Francisco's Congregation Beth Sholom. She has also held positions as Director of the Moldovan Academy in San Francisco and Interim Director of the Rosenberg Early Childhood Center at the San Francisco JCC. She holds an MA in Education from Mills College and a Bachelor of Science from Wheelock College in Boston.
DAWN CASTELLI
Communications + Ritual
dcastelli@kolshofar.org
DAWN CASTELLI
Communications + Ritual Manager
Dawn joined Kol Shofar in the summer of 2018, initially working as the Beit Binah/Tichon school administrator and Ritual Manager. Her 25 years of experience in Graphic Design, Marketing, and Art Direction were a perfect fit to transition roles to Communications & Ritual Manager. Dawn has extensive experience in community building, fundraising, event management from her work at Montessori de Terra Linda, Greenwood School, and Marin Ballet. She also served on the board of Greenwood School and Marin Ballet
ROBIN KOFFMAN
Membership Manager
membership@kolshofar.org
ROBIN KOFFMAN
Membership Manager
Robin has been with Kol Shofar since July of 2021. She and her family have been members of Kol Shofar since 2014. She was a program coordinator at the Marin JCC, in the Center for Jewish Peoplehood, creating dynamic program offerings in Jewish arts, culture & learning. Robin has worked in several schools and hospitals in New York City, Los Angeles & Marin for over 20 years. She holds a master’s degree in Art Therapy from Pratt Institute, a BA in Psychology from Syracuse University, and a BS in Advertising from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse.
PAM LOUIE
Controller
plouie@kolshofar.org
PAM LOUIE
Controller
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Pam re-joined Kol Shofar in June of 2016, having also served as controller from May 2011 – July 2014. With over 30 years in the accounting sector, she brings over 18 years in non-profit accounting experience having served many Bay Area non-profits. Pam’s corporate sector experience includes working for companies in the Research &Development/start-up to growth stages, as well as mergers and acquisitions. She holds an MBA from Golden Gate University and a BS/BA from the University of San Francisco. She has also earned certificates from Stanford University and the University of California in their Executive Management and Project Management programs respectively.
CARLA NAYLOR
Education + Youth Manager cnaylor@kolshofar.org
CARLA NAYLOR
Education + Youth Manager
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Carla went to JCC Preschool and Brandies Marin, where the importance of a Jewish education was instilled at a young age. Carla was very involved with SF Hillel while attending San Francisco State University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Sociology with a minor in sexuality studies. Most recently, she worked with Jewish youth as the Marin regional Koret Fellow for Jewish Family and Childcare’s Services.
ALBERTO DE LA ROSA
Chef/Kitchen + Maintenance
kkim@kolshofar.org
JOSE ALBERTO DE LA ROSA
Chef/Kitchen Manager + Maintenance Staff
Alberto gave up a promising career playing soccer on the beaches in Acapulco to major in physical education at the University of Mexico, Acapulco. His cooking career began in the late 90’s for the Princess line cruises. In 2003, Alberto became a resident while working for various caterers in the Bay Area.
KIRK KIM
Facilities + Maintenance
kkim@kolshofar.org
KIRK KIM
Facilities + Maintenance Manager
Kirk is a licensed contractor who has been with Kol Shofar since the congregation acquired its current building in 1984. He graduated with a BA from the School of Business at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. While attending college, he worked as a Park Ranger for the County of Marin. Kirk went on to establish a career in construction, working on private homes throughout the county. He also worked for Cahill Construction during the 2010 remodel of the synagogue.
JACK KLASSEN
Maintenance Staff
kkim@kolshofar.org
JACK KLASSEN
Maintenance Staff
Jack joined the Kol Shofar team in 2000. His background is in property maintenance & landscaping. He moved to Mill Valley from Victoria, British.
JOHN MASON
Maintenance Staff
kkim@kolshofar.org
JOHN MASON
Maintenance Staff
John, originally from Washington D.C., moved to the Bay Area in the mid-80’s. He has held many professional positions over the years, including support staff for an architectural firm, purchasing and operations for a fine furniture manufacturer in San Francisco, manager and chief mechanic for a local nonprofit bike shop, and working on residential and commercial electrical projects. John joined Kol Shofar in 2010 during the completion of the remodel project.
The Board
LYSSA FRIEDMAN (she/her): PRESIDENT
DANIEL AMIR (he/him): VICE-PRESIDENT
TEVEIA BARNES (she/her): TREASURER
RANDI LACHTER (she/her): SECRETARY
KERRY BARLAS (she/her)
KIRA BEER (she/her)
GREG BERGUIG (he/him)
DARYOUSH DAVIDI (he/him)
NANCY DIAMOND (she/her)
BERNARD FRIED (he/him)
AMY GELFAND (she/her)
ARI GREEN (he/him)
VIDA HARBAND (she/her)
DANA HYMAN (she/her)
MIKE LEMBERG (he/him)
BETH SCHECTER (she/her)
ANTHONY VIDERGAUZ (he/him)
