Meet Our Clergy and Staff
Rabbi Mona Alfi
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Rabbi Mona Alfi is fueled by a passion for tikkun olam (repairing the world) and a vision for reaching out to Sacramento’s diverse Jewish community. As the spiritual leader of B’nai Israel, Rabbi Alfi hopes to foster a caring community that is engaged both in the life of the synagogue and in our broader society ... (LEARN MORE)
Email Rabbi Alfi
Cantor Alexandra Kurland
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Cantor Alexandra Kurland is thrilled to make Congregation B’nai Israel and Sacramento her new home! She brings with her a passion for Jewish life, lifting up prayer in song, cultivating connection, and finding meaning in our lives through ancient tradition.
Cantor Kurland was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in May 2020. She is also a proud graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned honors in her major of Music, as well as a minor in Italian Studies. (LEARN MORE)
Lauren Silva
Director of Lifelong Jewish Learning
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Lauren Silva has always called Congregation B’nai Israel and Sacramento home, from the first days of K’tonton, through Confirmation, and today. She studied Economics and Judaic Studies at The University of Michigan, where she was involved with Michigan Hillel and was inspired to become a Jewish professional. (LEARN MORE)
Leslie Oberst
Executive Director
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Leslie Oberst has served B’nai Israel in many different capacities for decades. She is a lifelong member of CBI who became a Bat Mitzvah and went through Confirmation here. Her mother, Radine Harrison, is also a long-time congregant. For the past eight years, she has taught Hebrew School and privately tutored adults and kids in Hebrew, and has also taught in the Early Childhood Education programs. (LEARN MORE)
Photo: Joan Cusick Photography
Cantor Emerita Julie Steinberg
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Cantor Emerita Julie Steinberg has been involved at Congregation B’nai Israel for 30 years. As a young woman, she studied music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and at Indiana University. She also holds a Masters degree in Social Work ... (LEARN MORE)
Marlene Marrou
Executive Assistant
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Dominique Evans
Clergy Assistant
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Leticia McDaniels
Temple Bookkeeper
Dean Sinander
Facilities and Operations
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Ryan Behrmann
AV Specialist
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Michael Hersher
Songleader
Jo Kasler
Librarian
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Amy Solov
Communications Specialist
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