Clergy & Staff

Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein

Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein is originally from New Hyde Park on Long Island, NY, and has spent time living in Brooklyn, Washington D.C., Jerusalem, and Los Angeles.

Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein first decided that he wanted to be a rabbi when he was only a young boy while sitting in seats similar to the ones at Temple of Aaron. He was mesmerized by the inspiring words of the Torah delivered by the rabbi and stirred by the communal music of the prayer service. On the way home from synagogue, Rabbi Rubenstein would discuss and debate the rabbi’s sermon with his family and experienced the transformational impact of Torah, community, and Shabbat. Rabbi Rubenstein decided then that he wanted to dedicate his professional life to studying and teaching the wisdom of our tradition so that I could help escort others through this holy experience.

Throughout high school, Rabbi Marcus continued to learn and connect to the Jewish community, while also pursuing his other passion of music performance. He is an active, experienced, and avid jazz trumpet player which he hopes to continue in the Twin Cities. He earned his B.A at George Washington University where he received a Presidential Arts scholarship in jazz music. There he majored in religion and music and split his time between Hillel and playing music, performing at the Kennedy Center and throughout D.C.

After university, Rabbi Rubenstein immersed himself in the learning of Torah, concentrating in the areas of Kabbalah and Chasidut (Jewish mysticism and spirituality) as well as the more traditional areas of Talmud, Jewish law, and Tanakh. Learning, and teaching what he learns in an organic and thoughtful way continues to be his spiritual sustenance and passion. Rabbi Rubenstein hopes to help open up the wisdom of the Jewish tradition to everyone, including those who have historically been on the margins or left out, bringing Torah to meet people where they are and helping to enrich their lives.

Rabbi Marcus first served as the rabbi of Temple Sinai in Middletown, NY, and completed six meaningful years there. As the only Conservative synagogue within a 25-mile radius, he did a little bit of everything: reading Torah, delivering sermons, officiating life-cycles, coordinating and teaching Hebrew school, teaching adult education, visiting with community members who were ill, and working to meet the needs of every member of my community at every stage of life. Rabbi Rubenstein is especially proud of leading the community, with the help of the local Interfaith Council, to open a Homeless warming station within the synagogue during the COVID-19 pandemic housing overnight over 400 different men and women over the cold winter months.

Rabbi Marcus has an amazing wife and co-rabbi, Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein as well as their 2-year-old daughter Hadassah, and two rescue dogs, Louie and Ruby. In his free time, Rabbi Marcus enjoys watching sports (big soccer fan), performing and listening to music, running, biking, hiking, reading comic books, and enjoying a good dram of scotch or bourbon. But above all, he most enjoys being with the community. He can’t wait to connect with his new Temple of Aaron family. To read Meir HaAretz, Rabbi Marcus’ personal Jewish thoughts digital newsletter, click here. You are encouraged to email Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein or call 651-252-6411 anytime.

Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein

Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein is originally from Northbrook, IL where she attended Congregation Beth Shalom, Solomon Schechter Day School, and Chicagoland Jewish High School. She earned her BA in International Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, spending a semester abroad in Rabat, Morocco, and summers studying in Paris and the Republic of Georgia. When she wasn’t serving coffee as a barista at a local coffee shop or teaching Hebrew at Central Reform Congregation, Rabbi Rachel spent much of her time at Hillel–baking challah with Challah for Hunger, organizing Shabbat dinners, and planning services. Rabbi Rachel began her rabbinic studies at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, before transferring and completing her studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City where she earned a Master’s in Jewish Education. While in rabbinical school, Rabbi Rachel served in diverse rabbinic roles including in synagogues, day schools, Jewish non-profits, and hospitals. Prior to joining Temple of Aaron, Rabbi Rachel served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County. In addition to her work overseeing the programming and operations of the Jewish Federation, Rachel directed the Zachor Anti-Semitism Initiative, an innovative program of the Federation working to root out anti-Semitism in Orange County through education, community building, and security. Rabbi Rachel is a Mandel Executive Leadership Program Fellow and a 2021 Hadar Jewish Wisdom Fellow. Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein is excited to serve as Rabbi of Temple of Aaron alongside her husband, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein. She is eager to meet the members of Temple of Aaron and to help each member find their place in our community. Feel free to email Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein or call 651-252-6412.

Joshua Fineblum, CJE
Cantor/Educator
Joshua joined Temple of Aaron in July 2010 as our Director of Education and has since expanded his role in many ways as our Cantor/Educator. Josh has been active in synagogue life since growing up in the house of a Rabbi.  After going to Ramah Poconos in 1990 he helped form his USY chapter and became very active in the greater Jewish community.  While attending the University of Maryland he worked in 3 different synagogues in various roles and eventually as a Youth Director.  After 6 years as a Youth Director in Olney and Baltimore, 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 while acting as the Youth Director, B’nai Mitzvah tutor, Junior Congregation leader, and wearing many other hats at Beth El in Cherry Hill/Voorhees in New Jersey. Upon finishing studies at Gratz he went to work at 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.  He has held many positions on a national level with JYDA & JEA, and received his CJE(Conservative Jewish Educator) title in 2006. He, his wife Andrea, who hails from the Twin Cities, and their sons Jonah and Gordon live with their dog Charlie in Golden Valley. They are happy to be a part of the Temple of Aaron family and Joshua is proud to have taken on the title of Cantor/Educator in hopes of continuing to inspire people spiritually and educationally in the years to come. Feel free to email Joshua Fineblum or call 651-252-6403 with any questions about our schools, youth programming, participation in services, B’nai mitzvah, and beyond.

Ken Agranoff
Executive Director

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, installing a formal performance review system, addition of office computers, regular sharing of financial operating results, and helping ease the transition from the retirement of Rabbi Raskas to new clergy. He had the honor of working with the first female president, Janice Lazarus.

Ken returned to the synagogue in Spring 1993 and has continually served the membership while working with a variety of talented Clergy and dedicated support staff. Temple of Aaron has steadily enlarged its endowments, completed a major remodeling and minor improvements, selected various professional money managers, purchased the Talmud Torah building, expanded the Roseville cemetery, intensified its energy efficiency strategies, upgrades security procedures, upgraded technology, and helped with a variety of searches for key personnel.

A life-long resident of St Paul, he married Tracey Cass at Temple of Aaron in 1993 and they have two children, Samantha & Jessica, who completed nearly all of our educational programs, earned their college degrees, and are working in Israel and Colorado. Ken celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and confirmation at the synagogue. He earned degrees in business & law at the University of Minnesota. He played untold hours of basketball and racquetball at JCC, officiated high school basketball for 25 years, and is an avid Gopher basketball season ticket holder for 50 years. Tracey ran Temple of Aaron’s school art program for 18 years and is currently a valued full-time employee at the Minnesota JCC – Capp Campus helping guide early childhood programs.

The future holds new challenges as our membership evolves and asks the synagogue to do some new things while relying on us to retain some of the old traditions that have made Temple of Aaron distinctive for over 111 years of operation. Dedicated members and volunteers enrich the synagogue experience and he looks forward to hearing suggestions from members to continue learning and refining his craft. Email Ken Agranoff or call 651-252-6406 with any questions.

Larry Eisenstadt
Ritual Coordinator
Currently, Larry serves as the Ritual Coordinator at Temple of Aaron. Among many things, Larry has taught many of our beginner classes including Bible, Talmud, and Hebrew. His undergraduate degree is from CUNY Brooklyn. Larry has a MA in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary and a MA in Public Affairs and MSW from the University of Minnesota. Larry also works for the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Larry lives with his wife Linda, a born St. Paulite, in Lilydale, MN. They have two grown daughters, one of whom is married, who live in Los Angeles, CA.

Kim Thomey
Manager of Financial Operations 
Kim Thomey has worked as the Office Administrator for Temple of Aaron since January 1999 and is now taken on her new role. 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 an administrative assistant for the regional office of the 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, Nativity. Kim and her husband, Chris, live in Highland Park and have two children, Charlie who is a Junior at UND, and Maddie who is a Freshman at Visitation High School. Email Kim Thomey or call 651-252-6410 with any questions.

Susie Haim
Administrative Assistant
Susie Haim works as the Administrative Assistant for the Education and Youth. Susie is an active Temple of Aaron member, parent, past teacher in our school, and education department support staff.  Susie brings familiarity, strong organizational and communication skills, and a solid understanding of our education department, youth programming, and community. She continues to be a great piece of the puzzle in ensuring that programming on every level of the synagogue is taken care of down to each detail. Susie works in three primary areas: Yahrzeit system, Bookkeeping support, and Executive Director support. She is also the main voice that greets you when you call the Temple. Susie resides in Minneapolis with her husband and two children who are also active here at Temple of Aaron in the Education and Youth Departments. Email Susie Haim or call 651-252-6401 with any questions.

Bill Jorke
Building Supervisor
Bill joined Temple of Aaron as our Building Supervisor in March of 1996. 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.  Bill Jorke was born and raised in St. Paul and graduated from Highland Park Senior High School. 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 setups 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 helping people and keeping our building beautiful and your celebrations flawless in the future. Email Bill Jorke or call 651-252-6416 with any questions.