
Our people are truly our greatest asset.
Representing many different backgrounds, age groups, and locations throughout
metropolitan Cleveland, the leaders and members of Suburban Temple-Kol Ami are
what make our worship community unique. We believe that every individual brings
a wonderfully unique perspective on Judaism, faith, and community, and we encourage
diversity in our congregation and its prayer and activities. All members are
equal partners in this enriching goal.
Rabbi Allison Bergman Vann
Rabbi Vann was elected our next Rabbi
starting July 1, 2011 at the February meeting of the Board of Trustees. Rabbi
Vann will be coming to us from Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, Texas where she
is currently the Associate Rabbi. She has been there for 12 years, first as
an Assistant Rabbi and then promoted to Associate Rabbi in 2002. She grew up
in Easton, PA – near Bethlehem and Allentown in the foothills of the Poconos
and graduated with a BA from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1998, she received
her Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute
of Religion in Cincinnati. She
was ordained at HUC–JIR in 1999.
Rabbi Vann was asked her thoughts upon hearing the results of the Board meeting "“My thoughts – more than I can put into words. I am honored, beyond words, to be chosen as the next Rabbi of ST-KA. I know that, together, we will bring the congregation from strength to strength.”
We look forward to welcoming Rabbi Vann, her husband Charlie and their four year old son Isaac to Suburban Temple - Kol Ami in July.
Lisa Kollins - Director of Congregational Life
Lisa Kollins steps into the role of Director of Congregational Life after nine years as our Director of Family Education. She was honored with the 2009 Ratner-Goldberg Israel Fellowship by the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland and was recognized nationally for her contributions to family education and her work here at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami. Lisa moved to Cleveland (after a year volunteering in Israel on Project Otzma) and became the Managing Director of the Halle Theatre, a professional Jewish company housed at the JCC. Lisa received an MA in Judaic Studies with a concentration in Jewish Education from Siegal College, served as a Graduate Assistant in the Comparative Religion Department of Miami University of Ohio, and completed a dual BA in Drama and Religious Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis. Lisa is thrilled to continue her work with congregants of all ages – teaching both kids and adults, collaborating on programs with the Board and volunteers, communicating with members, arranging for meaningful worship experiences and consulting with families to insure that life cycle events are personal and memorable. She is committed to continuing the traditions of our synagogue as a community filled with faith and joy, Jewish learning, and a true commitment to social justice. Feel free to contact her any time with questions or concerns – 216.991.0700, Ext. 107 or lkollins@suburbantemple.org.
Director of Lifelong Learning Debbie Bram
Debbie
Bram became our Religious School Director in July of 2003 and was named Director
of Lifelong Learning in July of 2011. Debbie previously served as an educator
at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, Program Coordinator of Our Jewish Home,
a project of the Central Agency for Jewish Education of St. Louis and as Religious
School Director of Congregation Temple Israel in St. Louis, Missouri. Debbie
holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois and an MSW from Loyola
University of Chicago. Currently she is studying for her Executive Masters in
Education as part of this new program’s first cohort at Hebrew Union College-Jewish
Institute of Religion. Debbie has helped create a vibrant learning environment
for our congregation. She is the mother of Jessica and Daniel and the wife of
Rabbi Eric Bram z”l. Feel free to contact her at dbram@suburbantemple.org.
Rabbi Susan Stone interim rabbi September, 2010 - June, 2011.
Rabbi Stone was born and raised in New York City. A 1978 graduate of Vassar
College, she was ordained
at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati in 1983. She has served a variety of pulpits
and organizations in the greater Cleveland community. Rabbi Stone has been a
member of our congregation for many years.
Rabbi Stone is the mother
of Charles, who is a studying at Middlebury College in Vermont and Jake, a student
at University School. “Coming to Suburban Temple as the interim Rabbi at this
time is the very definition of bittersweet. Bitter because of the loss of Rabbi
Eric Bram, the Temple’s spiritual leader and my esteemed colleague. Sweet because
this is the congregation in which I was married, my sons were educated and my
husband eulogized. I feel honored and humbled and dedicated to moving forward
together. My goal is to help the congregation work through the grieving and
sadness of the past year and continue to grow all the wonderful things that
make Suburban Temple-Kol Ami the warm caring community that it is.”
Rabbi Emeritus Eric J. Bram DD z"l
(may his memory be for a blessing)
Rabbi
Eric J. Bram joined Suburban Temple - Kol Ami as our rabbi on July 1,2002. He
believed that, in his own words, "a rabbi is a teacher, a student, a counselor,
a link to Jewish tradition, a bridge to a fuller life [and] a Jew who rejoices
in the power of God and faith," and he committed wholeheartedly to that,
teaching, learning, and connecting for the eight years he was with us at ST-KA.
A Midwesterner by birth, education and professional affiliations, Rabbi Bram
was ordained at Hebrew Union Collegein 1985. He began his career at Temple Israel
in St. Louis and then continued as Senior Rabbi at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation.
He received his Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College-Jewish
Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Rabbi Bram received his Doctor of Divinity
in 2010 in recognition of his twenty-five years of rabbinic service and accepted
the title of Emeritus shortly before he passed away on August 17, 2010. He is
survived by his wife, Debbie and their two children, Jessica and Daniel.
Executive Director Emeritus Loree Resnik
Loree
B. Resnik, FTA, had been our Temple’s Executive Director since 1978 and assumed
the position of Emeritus on July 1, 2011. Her years of involvement with Suburban
Temple-Kol Ami, including many years serving as both Executive Director and
Religious School Principal, make her a great resource for questions about the
Temple, congregation, and the Jewish community in Cleveland. Loree was the founding
president of the Cleveland Area Temple and Synagogue Administrators, chaired
the Cleveland Jewish Educators Council, and served as a member of the Union
of American Hebrew Congregations and the National Association of Temple Educators.
She is currently Past President of the National Association of Temple Administrators.
A life-long resident of Cleveland, Loree received her Bachelor of Science degree
from the Ohio University and holds a Master of Education degree from Kent State
University with certification in School Psychology and Administration. She holds
a certification as a Fellow in Temple Administration, has done post-graduate
work at Kent State University, and has studied at institutes at the University
of Judaism in Los Angeles and the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.
Board of Trustees President Barbara Feldman.
At the March, 2011 Board meeting, Barbara was elected to serve a additional one year term as President.
Music Director and Organist Bruce Shewitz
Suburban
Temple-Kol Ami’s Music Director and Organist joined the temple staff in July
2001, but he has 30 years of experience as an organist and choir leader for
a number of area synagogues and churches. Bruce Shewitz came to Suburban Temple-Kol
Ami after serving as music director and organist with The Temple in Cleveland
for 17 years. A graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Bruce
is a member of the American Guild of Organists and became a board member of
the Guild of Temple Musicians in 2002. Bruce is also a singer and plays all
keyboard instruments, including the organ, piano, and harpsichord.
Rabbi Emeritus Michael Oppenheimer

For more than twenty-six wonderful years, Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer served as the spiritual leader of Suburban Temple-Kol Ami. His warm relationship with our congregation continues as he serves as our esteemed Rabbi Emeritus.
Our officers and Board of Trustees are truly representative of our temple family. Male and female, they cross all age groups, geographical areas, and professions. What they share is a common dedication to the temple and its mission.
Barbara Feldman., President
Annie Becker., Vice President
Richard Skall, Vice President
Linda Schneider, Vice President
Debra Light, Secretary
Thomas E. Gerson, Treasurer
Laura Berick
Jack Alan Bialosky, Jr.*
Barnett Bookatz
Dr. Stanley Brown*
Dr. Richard L. Cohen*
Beth N. Curtiss*
Valerie Cooper
Gary Dinner
Irwin Feldman
Sharon Friedman
Thomas E. Galvin*
Albert Hilkert
Dr. Andrew Hoffman
Donald S. Jacobson*
Kenneth M. Lapine*
Dennis Lehman
Richard D. Margolius*
Janis McCormick
Patricia Meyer
Jody Podl
Michael Polster
Stanley Proctor*
Dr Susan Raphaely
Robert T. Rosenfeld*
Kim Rosner, Women's Committee
Dr. Richard Silver
Sara Stashower
Geoffrey Thrope
Bruce Waterhouse
* Past Presidents
Past Presidents in Memoriam
Martin J. Cohn
David H. Dietz
Morton R. Dworken
Louis A. Fox
Robert J. Glick
Irwin S. Haiman
David L. Margolius
Ronald M. Rubenstein
Mina S. Siegel
Click here for information on membership at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami.