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Officers of the Congregation
Office and Volunteer Staff
Clergy:
"…a sacred partnership dedicated to supporting a congregation where members feel connected and spiritually enhanced."
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel was founded in 1847 as a traditional synagogue. In a move that made it Philadelphia's first progressive synagogue, KI became a Reform congregation in 1855 and was later considered the region's flagship for the Union for Reform Judaism. Our rabbis have been central figures in Reform Judaism and have helped shape the movement as we know it today. KI continues to serve a leadership role as a visionary congregation, dedicated to meeting the ongoing and ever-changing needs of our Jewish community.
All of KI's leadership - from rabbis and educators to officers and administrative staff - believe in a sacred partnership dedicated to supporting a congregation where members feel connected and spiritually enhanced. Our rabbis listen and are responsive. Our educators are inspiring and intellectually challenging. Our lay leaders and senior staff work together to make KI a unified, visionary place of worship.
RABBI LA NCE
J. SUSSMAN, PhD. is the eighth Senior Rabbi of
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, having joined the congregation
in July 2001. A renowned author and dynamic lecturer, Rabbi Sussman
has published numerous books and articles including Isaac Lesser
and the Making of American Judaism, and Sharing Sacred
Moments (a collection of his sermons), and has served as an
editor of Reform Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary
and Sourcebook.
Complementing his commitment to the local community with active
participation in the national Jewish scene, Rabbi Sussman is a
member of the American Advisory and Editorial Board of the American
Jewish Archives (Cincinnati) and past chair of the Judaic Studies
Department in Binghamton University - SUNY. He currently serves
as president of DVARR (Delaware Valley Association of Reform Rabbis)
and as Rabbinic Coordinator of the lecture series sponsored by the
University of Pennsylvania's Center for Advanced Judaic Studies. He
is the immediate past president of the Cheltenham Area Multi-Faith
Council. Rabbi Sussman is teaching a course on the history of
Reform Judaism at the Hebrew Union College in New York City this
fall.
Rabbi Sussman sets the tone and standard for an environment of
genuine community and life-long learning at KI. Knowledgeable and
approachable, he always brings a new and fresh perspective to the
congregation. He is a rabbinic leader of many strengths, evidenced
by his scholarly sermons, his caring presence during times of joy
and sorrow, his open and honest dialogue with members and his
obvious love of sharing Judaism with children and adults alike.
Rabbi Sussman brings to our members an opportunity to be warmly
guided and supported in their personalized Judaic experience.
Rabbi Sussman and his wife, Liz, a gifted and talented music
teacher, song leader and preschool director, share the joy of
raising their children Benjamin & Kelly, Joshua, Micah, Judah and
Chana.
Email:
RabbiLJS@kenesethisrael.org
 RABBI PETER RIGLER was appointed KI's Assistant Rabbi in July 2002, immediately following his ordination from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
(HUC-JIR) in New York. He has extensive experience working with both youth programming and the Reform Movement's camping program. He was Youth Group Advisor for the North American Federation of Temple Youth
(NFTY) and received the Pennsylvania Area Region's Youth Group "Advisor of the Year" Award. His understanding of today's youth and the current issues influencing them has helped him effectively develop within KI's students a commitment to their religious education and the joy of being part of our synagogue community.
Rabbi Rigler's keen talent with youth is complemented by his dedication to adult learning and his commitment to sharing life-cycle events with our members. Recognized by HUC-JIR with the Borowitz Prize in Jewish Thought and the Paneth Memorial Prize in Jewish Education, Rabbi Rigler displays his many talents in his dedicated and caring work with our members and is active in both the Jewish and general community.
Rabbi Rigler is married to Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler, KI's Director of
Religious Education, and they are the proud parents of a daughter, Maya
Gabrielle Rigler.
Email: RabbiPCR@kenesethisrael.org
 CANTOR AMY LEFKO began her duties at KI on July 1, 2004. She is a graduate of the Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a Masters in Sacred Music. Cantor Lefko served at Temple Israel in Tulsa, Oklahoma for four years prior to arriving at
KI. During her tenure in Tulsa, she provided leadership for worship services, coordinated adult and youth choirs, coordinated the B'nai Mitzvah, counseled and mentored Jewish youth and young adults, provided comfort for the ill and officiated at life cycle events. Cantor Lefko possesses a vast musical repertoire, including skill in Yiddish music and the contemporary music of Reform Judaism. She provides musical experiences that are meaningful to congregants of all ages.
Email: CantorAEL@kenesethisrael.org
Web Site: http://www.unlimitedprayer.com
 RABBI STACY ESKOVITZ RIGLER, MAJE, was appointed KI's Director of Religious Education in July 2003. After receiving a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Emory University, Rabbi Eskovitz Rigler earned her master of arts degree in Jewish education from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
(HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles in May 2001 and was ordained as a rabbi in New York in May 2003. Most recently Rabbi Eskovitz Rigler served as principal of the religious school at Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island. She has worked at Camp
Harlam, the URJ Department of Jewish Education and the Religious Action Center in Washington, D.C.
Rabbi Eskovitz Rigler has developed a well-rounded program that is warm, inclusive and meets the needs of our Religious School families. She engages the children in an exceptional curriculum while involving the families with creative programming and enrichment opportunities.
Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler is married to Rabbi Peter Rigler, KI's Assistant Rabbi, and they are the proud parents of a daughter, Maya Gabrielle
Rigler.
Email: Educator@kenesethisrael.org
Brian D. Rissinger
joined KI as its Executive Director in
July
2006.
An active member of the National Association of Temple
Administrators, Brian has an extensive background in synagogue
administration and operations.
For
the past
17
years, Brian served
as
Executive Director
of
Main
Line Reform
Temple in
Wynnewood, PA,
where he was involved in all aspects of the synagogue's systems,
finances, membership, staff recruitment
and facility
maintenance.
Prior to serving at
Main
Line Reform
Temple,
Brian
was
a member of the administrative team at Federation Early Learning
Services for eleven years.
Brian
holds a bachelor of science degree in
psychology.
Brian also serves as a member of the board for the Interfaith
Coalition on Energy.
email:
brissinger@kenesethisrael.org
 Beth
Berman, director of the Richard E. Rudolph Jr. Preschool, started at KI in July 2005. Berman earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal
justice from the University of Delaware and her master’s degree in early
childhood education from the University of Pennsylvania. She belongs to
National Association of the Education of the Young Child, the Delaware
Valley Association of the Education of the Young Children, and the Early
Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism, an affiliate of the Union for
Reform Judaism.
Beth and her husband, Scott, have two daughters,
Samantha and Jolie, who will be attending KI’s preschool.
Preschool Calendar
(2006-07)
Email:
preschooldirector@kenesethisrael.org
215-885-2425.
 Carey
Roseman, President
Carey S. Roseman, installed as President of KI in June 2004, is a fourth generation member of the synagogue. While the legacy of Carey’s past is a mantle she wears proudly, it is the KI of today that excites her most. The quality of the professional staff, lay leadership and programming as well as the caring of the membership create an inspiring, dynamic and dedicated community at KI. Carey’s goal is for all members – from our youngest tots to our most senior adults - to avail themselves of the richness of the resources available at KI to make each person’s membership experience a meaningful one spiritually, educationally, and socially.
Carey is a non-practicing attorney and, formerly, a bilingual elementary school teacher and administrator with the Boston Public Schools. She worked as Senior Counsel with Subaru of America, Inc. and in two local firms prior to “retiring.” Carey and her husband, Robert, an attorney, have two children, Ian and Hallie. Ian, a KI Preschool alumnus, became a bar mitzvah in May 2001 and was confirmed in May 2004. Hallie, also an alumna of KI’s Preschool, will become a bat mitzvah in May 2007.
 Emeriti
Rabbi Simeon J. Maslin, Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Simeon J. Maslin was elected the sixth Senior Rabbi of Keneseth Israel in 1980. Holding degrees from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and Chicago Theological Seminary, Rabbi Maslin is the author of two books and numerous articles and pamphlets. He served both the oldest congregation in the Western Hemisphere
(Mikve Israel-Emanuel of Curacao) and the oldest congregation in Illinois
(K.A.M. of Chicago) before coming to Keneseth Israel, the oldest Reform congregation in Greater Philadelphia. He is a Past-President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Email: ShiMaslin@aol.com
Cantor Emeritus Richard Allen
Cantor Emeritus Richard Allen has served the Congregation with distinction from 1976 to 1997. Over the past 21 years, he has enriched the Jewish dimension of our musical liturgy with his baritone voice and musical sensibilities. Cantor Allen has presented the best of our tradition from Sulzer to Steinberg. He has made recordings with Max Janowski and Ben Steinberg. Steinberg's Shomeir Yisrael was commissioned by KI and written for Cantor Allen's voice. His cantorial career spans thirty-five years. He is known internationally for his operatic and concert performances. Cantor Allen currently teaches music, studies, and remains accessible to our congregation.
Bill Ferstenfeld, Executive Administrator, Emeritus
William Ferstenfeld was named Executive Administrator Emeritus upon his
retirement from the field of Temple Administration in 2003. Bill served
K.I. for over 25 years where he was involved in the day to day
operations of the Temple. During his tenure at K.I., Bill was active in
the national Reform movement as well. He is a past president of the
National Association of Temple Administrators, served as a member of the
Union of American Hebrew Congregation's Board of Trustees, Executive
Committee and Commission on Synagogue Management. Bill and his wife
Nancy, currently reside in the Palm Springs, CA area. He is a project
manager in his family's subcontracting business
Email: BFerst@aol.com
Jonathan Bowen,
Organist & Choirmaster
 Jonathan
Bowen is the Organist & Choirmaster at Keneseth Israel. Jonathan is
also in his 14th year as Organist-Choirmaster at The Church of St.
Luke & The Epiphany (Episcopal) in Center City Philadelphia. He
pursued a Bachelor of Music degree in Church Music at Westminster
Choir College, studying organ with Robert Carwithen and choral
conducting with Melanie Jacobson. Jonathan participated as organist
with the Philadelphia Orchestra on their US Tour in
September-October of 2001. From 1992-96 he was also an assistant
organist in the Grand Court of the Lord & Taylor Department Store in
Philadelphia. In his spare time he works for Brant Duddy Pipe
Organs, Inc.
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