Leadership

 

CLERGY

Rabbi Gordon Fuller joins Congregation Beth El as our full-time rabbi, bringing decades of experience in Jewish education, community leadership, and interfaith collaboration. Before coming to Congregation Beth El, he served as Director of Strategic Partnerships and past Chair of the Jewish Federation of Howard County. A strong advocate for pluralism and interfaith dialogue, he was active with the Interfaith Advisory Council of Howard County and People Acting Together in Howard (PATH). He served congregation Agudath Jacob in Waco for 11 years before moving to Maryland. He has also led services online for numerous congregations, High Holidays at Virginia Tech Univ., and served Beth Shalom in Myrtle Beach for a brief time until Covid hit. Most recently, he was the interim rabbi for Kehila Chadaha in Kensington, MD. A native of Detroit, Rabbi Fuller holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.A. in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Ordained privately by two Orthodox rabbis, he is a member of Ohalah, the association of clergy in the Jewish Renewal movement. Rabbi Gordy, as he likes to be called, has guided individuals and families through meaningful Jewish learning and life-cycle events. He especially enjoys teaching, pastoral counseling, and accompanying people on their conversion journeys. Rabbi Fuller and his wife, Sharon, are delighted to be making Windsor-Essex their new home and to become part of Congregation Beth El. While leaving their children and grandchildren will be challenging, they hope their family will one day find opportunities to join them in Canada.

Rabbi Gordy Fuller

Rabbi Gordon Fuller joins Congregation Beth El as our full-time rabbi, bringing decades of experience in Jewish education, community leadership, and interfaith collaboration. Before coming to Congregation Beth El, he served as Director of Strategic Partnerships and past Chair of the Jewish Federation of Howard County. A strong advocate for pluralism and interfaith dialogue, he was active with the Interfaith Advisory Council of Howard County and People Acting Together in Howard (PATH). He served congregation Agudath Jacob in Waco for 11 years before moving to Maryland. He has also led services online for numerous congregations, High Holidays at Virginia Tech Univ., and served Beth Shalom in Myrtle Beach for a brief time until Covid hit. Most recently, he was the interim rabbi for Kehila Chadaha in Kensington, MD. A native of Detroit, Rabbi Fuller holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.A. in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Ordained privately by two Orthodox rabbis, he is a member of Ohalah, the association of clergy in the Jewish Renewal movement. Rabbi Gordy, as he likes to be called, has guided individuals and families through meaningful Jewish learning and life-cycle events. He especially enjoys teaching, pastoral counseling, and accompanying people on their conversion journeys. Rabbi Fuller and his wife, Sharon, are delighted to be making Windsor-Essex their new home and to become part of Congregation Beth El. While leaving their children and grandchildren will be challenging, they hope their family will one day find opportunities to join them in Canada.
Rabbi Jeffrey Ableser served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El from 1993 – 2018. He came to Windsor after serving pulpits in Toronto, Carmel, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. Rabbi Ableser is married to Judy, and has three adult children: Daniel, Rachel, and Jake. During his tenure at Beth El, Rabbi Ableser has seen children he named become Bnei Mitzvah, and welcomed children he consecrated under the chuppah.

Rabbi Emeritus Jeffrey Ableser

Rabbi Jeffrey Ableser served as the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El from 1993 – 2018. He came to Windsor after serving pulpits in Toronto, Carmel, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. Rabbi Ableser is married to Judy, and has three adult children: Daniel, Rachel, and Jake. During his tenure at Beth El, Rabbi Ableser has seen children he named become Bnei Mitzvah, and welcomed children he consecrated under the chuppah.

MUSICAL LEADERSHIP

Tracey Atin was born and raised in Toronto, the daughter of an artist/physician: Harvey and librarian/home-maker: Dorothy. She began singing as a child with the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus. In High School, she was lucky enough to have Ben Steinberg (Shalom Rav) as her music teacher. Later in life, after many adventures, she went on to get degrees in Drama (B.A), Education (BEd), English (M.A.) and Music (BMA). She has been married for 30 years to Robert Godden and they have a son. James, who is a musician and mensch, as well as Bob's daughter Rebecca, and son, Matt and 5 unique, fabulous grandchildren. She founded and helps to run a theatre company called Korda Artistic Productions where she is the executive director and toilet cleaner. She is a writer and teacher as well as performing a wide variety of music and theatre. She has sung with symphony orchestras and premiered Jewish music by Srul Irving Glick and Helen Greenberg. After Covid, she will return to singing with The Light of East Ensemble (Ladino, Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Armenian, Turkish and occasionally Yiddish music) and the Cedar Island Quintet (music from the 1920s). She is thrilled to be returning, after a three -year hiatus, to her family at Congregation Beth El, where she had been cantorial soloist for 30 years. She hopes that she will continue to learn and grow and share her singing with the wonderful Michael Ricketts and the community that she cherishes.

Cantorial Soloist Tracey Atin

Tracey Atin was born and raised in Toronto, the daughter of an artist/physician: Harvey and librarian/home-maker: Dorothy. She began singing as a child with the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus. In High School, she was lucky enough to have Ben Steinberg (Shalom Rav) as her music teacher. Later in life, after many adventures, she went on to get degrees in Drama (B.A), Education (BEd), English (M.A.) and Music (BMA). She has been married for 30 years to Robert Godden and they have a son. James, who is a musician and mensch, as well as Bob’s daughter Rebecca, and son, Matt and 5 unique, fabulous grandchildren. She founded and helps to run a theatre company called Korda Artistic Productions where she is the executive director and toilet cleaner. She is a writer and teacher as well as performing a wide variety of music and theatre. She has sung with symphony orchestras and premiered Jewish music by Srul Irving Glick and Helen Greenberg. After Covid, she will return to singing with The Light of East Ensemble (Ladino, Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Armenian, Turkish and occasionally Yiddish music) and the Cedar Island Quintet (music from the 1920s). She is thrilled to be returning, after a three -year hiatus, to her family at Congregation Beth El, where she had been cantorial soloist for 30 years. She hopes that she will continue to learn and grow and share her singing with the wonderful Michael Ricketts and the community that she cherishes.
Michael Ricketts holds a BMus in organ performance and an MA in Religious Studies. His career in religious music spans more than four decades in the Windsor area. He is especially pleased to be returning to Congregation Beth El to work with Cantorial Soloist Tracey Atin.

Accompanist Michael Ricketts

Michael Ricketts holds a BMus in organ performance and an MA in Religious Studies. His career in religious music spans more than four decades in the Windsor area. He is especially pleased to be returning to Congregation Beth El to work with Cantorial Soloist Tracey Atin.

ADMINISTRATION

Joan brings creativity, organization, and dedication to her role as Office Administrator at Temple Beth El. She helps ensure the smooth operations of the Synagogue while fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all members of the congregation. With over 35 years of experience in the design industry and 16 years as the office administrator of her own family run business, Joan has developed exceptional skills in management, coordination, and client service. Working alongside her husband in the design and installation of custom closets and kitchens, she played an integral role in the success and daily operations of their company. A former figure skating coach, Joan values teamwork, discipline, and community ---- qualities that continue to guide her in both her professional and personal life. Married and a proud mother of two sons, she brings warmth, professionalism, and care to everything she does.

Office Admnistrator - Joan Wonsch Nostadt

Joan brings creativity, organization, and dedication to her role as Office Administrator at Temple Beth El. She helps ensure the smooth operations of the Synagogue while fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all members of the congregation. With over 35 years of experience in the design industry and 16 years as the office administrator of her own family run business, Joan has developed exceptional skills in management, coordination, and client service. Working alongside her husband in the design and installation of custom closets and kitchens, she played an integral role in the success and daily operations of their company. A former figure skating coach, Joan values teamwork, discipline, and community —- qualities that continue to guide her in both her professional and personal life. Married and a proud mother of two sons, she brings warmth, professionalism, and care to everything she does.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Tepperman family has a long history with Beth El, which continues with Julie, her husband Noah and two children Lily and Benji. Julie is passionate about building and deepening community, spending time with her family and friends, travel, reading and food. Professionally, Julie is the Senior Director of Community Development for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Julie received her BA from the University of Maryland and received her MSW and Certificate in Jewish Communal Leadership from the University of Michigan. Julie is excited to work with the professional and volunteer leadership of Beth El and the Windsor Jewish community as we continue to deepen our connections and roots while growing in new directions.

President - Julie Tepperman

The Tepperman family has a long history with Beth El, which continues with Julie, her husband Noah and two children Lily and Benji. Julie is passionate about building and deepening community, spending time with her family and friends, travel, reading and food. Professionally, Julie is the Senior Director of Community Development for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Julie received her BA from the University of Maryland and received her MSW and Certificate in Jewish Communal Leadership from the University of Michigan. Julie is excited to work with the professional and volunteer leadership of Beth El and the Windsor Jewish community as we continue to deepen our connections and roots while growing in new directions.
Karen and her family moved to Windsor from Toronto in 2012. She has a background in software design and IT Management. Karen is passionate about community service and committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Among her many hobbies, she enjoys the challenge of escape rooms (with a near-perfect escape success rate!) and spending time with her husband Charles and two children, Stephanie and Philip.

Immediate Past President - Karen Rosen

Karen and her family moved to Windsor from Toronto in 2012. She has a background in software design and IT Management. Karen is passionate about community service and committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Among her many hobbies, she enjoys the challenge of escape rooms (with a near-perfect escape success rate!) and spending time with her husband Charles and two children, Stephanie and Philip.
Lawrence is a life long resident of Windsor, operating 2 businesses in the Essex County area. With his wife Jori, a teacher, they have a busy family with 2 daughters, Kylie and Marley, and a son Zachary.

VP & Past President - Lawrence Pazner

Lawrence is a life long resident of Windsor, operating 2 businesses in the Essex County area. With his wife Jori, a teacher, they have a busy family with 2 daughters, Kylie and Marley, and a son Zachary.
Treasurer - Kimberly Katz

Treasurer - Kimberly Katz

Director & Religious School Chair - Lesley Rubin-Klein

Director & Membership Chair - Michelle Turnbull

Ritual Co-Chair & Past President - Audrey Bondy

Director - Dr. Ron Polsky

Director - Dr. Sharon Horlick

Director - Marilee Marcotte