While studying for the rabbinate at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, Rabbi Berry served as the student Rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in Hickory, North Carolina and Congregation Adas Emuno in Leonia, New Jersey. She also completed the chaplaincy-training program at Cornell-Presbyterian Hospital.
Upon ordination in May of 2007, Rabbi Berry served as the Rabbi and Educator of the Fellowship for Jewish Learning, a Havurah in Stamford, Connecticut and as an interfaith chaplain at Stamford Hospital, counseling patients and families in times of crisis. A passionate advocate for support and outreach to interfaith families, she has also worked at the Union for Reform Judaism in the Outreach and Membership department.
Rabbi Berry and her husband Mark are excited to return to the Boston area and look forward to joining the Temple Beth David community. She hopes that Temple Beth David will continue to be a second home to all who walk through its doors and a place of spirituality, learning, safety and growth.
Howard Worona celebrates his 25th anniversary this year as Cantorial Soloist/ Music Director at Temple Beth David. His musical repertoire spans a wide range of Jewish musical styles from traditional chazanut to the music of Debbie Friedman, Craig Taubman and other contemporary composers of Jewish music. Worona often leads the congregation in song to guitar accompaniment. In addition to chanting the musical portion of Shabbat and holiday services, Howard also directs the Junior Choir, a group of pre-b'nai mitzvah students, who assist him in the leading of monthly Friday evening family Shabbat services. He also directs the Adult Choir which sings once a month at Friday evening services, special events and High Holy Day Services.
He is Music Director at Hanscom Middle School, Director of the Lincoln After School Music Program, Music Teacher at Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton and Music Counselor at Nobles Day Camp. Howard received a Bachelor's Degree in Voice and Music Education from the New England Conservatory of Music and a Master's Degree in Integrated Arts and Education from Lesley College Graduate School. He lives in Natick with his wife Laura. Their daughter Lilli lives in Bend, Oregon and their son Evan will complete his studies at Johnson and Wales in Providence, RI in May 2009.
Jason Ribak and his family joined Temple Beth David in 1994. When he joined he figured he would attend services once a year, and drop his daughter off at Religious School on Sunday mornings. However there was something about the Temple Beth David community that prompted him to be more than a consumer.
Jason served as Membership Committee chairperson from 1996 to 2000. Jason served on the Executive Committee as Recording Secretary from 1999 to 2002, and as Vice President from 2002 to 2008. Jason commenced serving as President in June of 2008. As a Temple Beth David representative, he took part in The Leadership Development Institute (2004 - 2006) sponsored by Combined Jewish Philanthropies. From 1997 to 1999, Jason and his wife, Amy, taught the temple's Preschool class. From 1998 to the present, Jason has taught the temple's Religious School 6th grade. He has also served as president of the Temple's Brotherhood. Jason and his wife, Amy, and daughter, Megan, reside in Canton , MA . Megan attended Religious and Hebrew School at Temple Beth David, and became Bat Mitzvah. In his professional life, Jason practices law in a small family law practice in Dedham , MA.
As President, Jason inherits a Temple Beth David tradition of community with a commitment to serious Jewish study and practice. His goals are to build on this solid foundation by fostering an ongoing spirit of the "temple family" to build and retain membership, and to ensure Temple Beth David's dynamic future by engaging in leadership development. He also intends to "Do more, talk less, and greet each person with a smile."
