Clergy and Staff

Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein is originally from South Africa, and immigrated with his family to the United States as a young child. He grew up in Minneapolis and attended college in Saint Louis at Washington University. He has lived in Israel where he attended Machon Pardes, an egalitarian yeshiva, and was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2000. Before coming to Temple of Aaron, he was the rabbi of the Tri-City Jewish Center, a conservative congregation in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. He has been a rabbi of the Temple of Aaron since 2002. Email Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein or call 651-698-8874 ext 111.

Rabbi Barry Cytron

Rabbi Barry Cytron has joined the Temple of Aaron in part time role to support Rabbi Alan Shavit- Lonstein and Cantor Mitchell Kowitz in their service to the congregation including teaching and speaking at services and providing back-up for life cycle events.

Rabbi Cytron is currently the director of the Jay Phillips Center for Jewish-Christian Learning. He is also an associate professor of theology at both Saint John's University and the University of St. Thomas. At Saint John's he occupies the Jay Phillips Chair in Jewish Studies.  From 1972 until he assumed his current post in 1996, he served as a congregational rabbi, first at Tiferith Israel Synagogue in Des Moines, Iowa (1972-1983) and then at Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minneapolis (1983-1996).

Rabbi Cytron holds both bachelors and masters degrees from Columbia University, ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. In 1996 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from his rabbinic alma mater. He teaches courses at Saint John's University, Luther Seminary, Macalester College, The Saint Paul Seminary and the University of St. Thomas. You can reach Rabbi Cytron by email.

Hazzan Mitchell D. Kowitz
Hazzan Mitchell D. Kowitz was born in Jacksonville, Florida and studied composition, voice and opera under Dr. Franklin Bens and Italo Tayo at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He appeared in numerous productions both on and off Broadway in New York and in regional theaters, such as “A Chorus Line,” “Man of LaMancha,” and “Freedom and Angelina,” which was performed at Lincoln Center. In addition, he composed music for several theater pieces which were performed in Boston, Chicago, and at Musical Theater Works in New York. In addition, Hazzan Kowitz has recently finished a multiple recording entitled “Shir Mishpacha” for which he composed and performed seven new songs. Cantor Kowitz studied to become a cantor with Cantor Abraham Martin in Florida and Cantor Leon Berger in New York. Hazzan Kowitz has served as Cantor for three years at Congregation Beth Israel in Hammond, Indiana, and has held the position of cantor at the Temple of Aaron in Saint Paul, Minnesota since 1988.

Email Hazzan Kowitz or call 651-698-8874 ext 113.

Kathy Berg

Kathy Berg joined Temple of Aaron as the Ritual/Clergy Assistant in December of 2007.  Kathy assists and provides support for the three clergy. She is involved with the administrative portion for all the Life Cycle Events such as the Britot and Baby Namings, B’nai Mitzvah, Weddings and Deaths. She prepares all needed information for the Shabbat services.  She helps update our Website, sends out out our weekly email to members and prepares the hospital list daily.  Kathy is the voice you hear when the Rabbi is not in.  She is a delight and a welcomed addition to our staff. 

Kathy was born and raised in St. Paul.  She graduated from St. Paul Vocational School where she earned a Legal Secretary Certificate.  She worked for eight years in Administration at HealthPartners before joining the legal field, which she then worked as a Legal Administrative Assistant for over 7 years. 

Kathy lives in the Como Park area and has two grown daughters – Jessica and Justina.

Email Kathy Berg or call 651-698-8874 ext 107.

Ken Agranoff
Ken Agranoff has served as our Executive Director on two separate occasions. He began in 1984 and left in the summer of 1990. His priorities were formalizing office procedures, addition of office computers, financial management, and helping ease the transition from the retirement of Rabbi Raskas to new clergy. He returned in 1993 and has continually served the membership since that Spring.

A life-long resident of St Paul, he married Tracey Cass at Temple of Aaron in 1993 and they have two children in our educational programs, Samantha and Jessica. Ken celebrated his bar mitzvah and confirmation at the synagogue. He earned degrees in business and law at the University of Minnesota

The future holds new challenges as our membership evolves and asks the synagogue to do some new things while relying on us to retain many of the old traditions that have made Temple of Aaron distinctive for nearly 100 years of operation. Ken looks forward to working with the Strategic Planning Committee to convert the discussed concepts to practical action plans to improve the synagogue experience for a larger percentage of our members. Email Ken Agranoff or call 651-698-8874 ext 106.

Shelley Diamond

Shelley Diamond has been the Business Manager for the Temple of Aaron since April of 1990.  She is directly involved with the detailed administration of the financial activities for the synagogue.  She oversees office personnel and technology including computer networking issues, upgrading of software, and office equipment. She also functions as Human Resource Manager which  involves her in the hiring and training of office personnel.  

Shelley has lived in Minnetonka, MN since 1986.  She lives in Minnetonka with her husband Al Diamond who grew up in St. Paul on St. Clair Avenue. They have two grown children, Jeff and Sheree. Born in Bronx, New York, Shelley grew up in Queens.  Attended Queens College where she earned a BA degree.  She had a variety of corporate positions prior to her working for the Temple which included human resources and accounting.

Email Shelley Diamond or call 651-698-8874 ext 110.

Kim Thomey
Kim Thomey has worked in the administrative office for Temple of Aaron since January 1999. Kim works in four primary areas: Yahrzeit system, Religious School support, Bookkeeping support, and Executive Director support. She is also the main voice that greets you when call the Temple.

Kim grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a graduate of Creighton University located in Omaha where she earned a BA degree. She started her professional career at the Omaha Jewish Community Center as Youth Director for K-8. She moved to Minnesota and completed 10 years as administrative assistant for the regional office of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. She has worked her entire adult life in the Jewish community and at the same time is very active in her Catholic parish, Holy Spirit.

Kim and her husband, Chris, live in Highland Park and have two children, Charlie who is a junior at Saint Thomas Academy and Maddie who is in fith grade at Horace Mann Elementary.

Email Kim Thomey or call 651-698-8874 ext 100.

Joshua Fineblum

Joshua joined Temple of Aaron in July 2010 as our new Director of Education. He is excited to join our community, meet all of the stakeholders, understand our culture, and help educate the future of our community. Our YES (Youth Education Services) Committee will be planning events and programs in August and September to introduce Josh to everyone. Our various school programs will begin September 19, 22 and 25, 2010.  

Josh has been active in synagogue life since growing up in the house of a Rabbi.  After Ramah Poconos in 1990 he helped reignite the USY chapter and became very active in the greater Jewish community.  While attending the University of Maryland he worked at a synagogue that later hired him as their Youth Director.  After two years as a Youth Director he returned to school  back home in Philadelphia at Gratz College.  While there he received a master's degree in Jewish Communal Service and a certificate in Non-Profit Management.  

Upon finishing studies at Gratz he went to work for Kellman Brown Academy, a Solomon Shechter Jewish Day School, in Voorhees, New Jersey as their Director of Programming and Development.  As a Hebrew school teacher, Junior Congregation coordinator and leader, B'nai Mitzvah tutor, USY advisor, Youth Director, Assistant Hebrew High School Director, Confirmation Coordinator, and Director of Programming and Development,  he has watched and helped many children grow and connect to Judaism.  It is his hope to do the same here at Temple of Aaron.

Email Joshua Fineblum or call 651-698-8874 ext 103.

Robby Erlich

Robby (Robert) will join Temple of Aaron as our new Youth Director in August 2010.  He is excited to be joining the Temple community and is looking forward to working with the youth, parents, volunteers and staff. Many of the USYers who had the opportunity to informally meet with him will be equally excited about his acceptance. He demonstrated the ability to relate to all of the kids and parents individually and as a group with a natural, passionate feeling about Judaism.

Robby has been active in Jewish life since he's been 4 years old growing up in St. Louis Park. While attending the University of Minnesota, he worked for Temple Israel as a B'nai Mitzvah teacher, City of Spring Lake Park as a Recreation Programs Coordinator intern, and the Minnesota Twins being an Event Operations Supervisor. Directly after college, he worked for the Minneapolis Jewish Federation as a Campaign Associate and at Bnai Emet Synagogue as the Education Coordinator.

He is currently attending Adler Graduate School pursuing a masters degree in school counseling.
Robby got married in August of 2009 to his sweetheart, Andrea and live in Minnetonka with their dog Wrinkles.

He is excited to have this opportunity to be working with Director of Education Josh Fineblum, the YES (Youth Education Services) Committee, clergy and staff, all of the youth and their families.

Wendy Oskey

Wendy has been hired as Interim Principal commencing June 1, 2010 so there would be continuity leading to the 2010-2011 school year. We have hired Wendy Oskey on a part-time basis to serve as Interim Principal. We are confident Wendy has the organizational and people skills coupled with a knowledge of our program to effectively assist us during this transition.

E-mail Wendy Oskey or call 651-698-8874 ext 112.

Susie Haim

Susie Haim has been hired effective July 1 as the part-time Administrative Assistant for Temple of Aaron’s Religious School and Youth Department. An active Temple of Aaron member, parent of 2 religious school students’ ages 15 and 12, past Sunday school Kindergarten teacher for 6 years, and education department support staff for over 3 years, Susie brings to this new position familiarity, strong organizational and communication skills, and a solid understanding of our educational programs, youth services, and community. She will report directly to the Director of Education and also assist the new Youth Director.

Susie has worked during June and July with Wendy Oskey, our Interim Principal, as we plan for this upcoming school year. We are very excited for Susie and the Temple of Aaron team as we continue to develop an even stronger education and youth department for our children.

Email Susie Haim or call 651-698-8874 ext 104.

Bill Jorke
William Jorke was born and raised in St. Paul and graduated from Highland Park Senior High School.

Bill has worked in the building maintenance field since he was 9 years old Starting with his father, they repaired the family home, and his grandparents four-plex on Portland Avenue in St Paul. Bill was employed for 10 years in the nursing home maintenance field and has worked for 12 years at the Temple of Aaron as our building supervisor.

As his family grew, Bill, his wife Tricia, and their 6 sons, moved to Prescott, WI. found an affordable, large house. They liked the fact that the school classroom sizes were about 15 children per class, and the small town feel.

He enjoys the range of duties that this building supervisor position holds: planning, meeting with families for special events, cleaning, maintenance, and the many event set ups that happen inside and outside the synagogue walls, working with the rabbis, cantor, and all the support staff, that “make it happen.” Bill enjoys the gratification that comes from a job well done.

He appreciates the years he has spent with us and looks forward to the future events helping people and keeping our building beautiful. Email Bill Jorke or call 651-698-8874.