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Congregation Shomrei Torah

Eli Weinzveg

Eli grew up in Sebastopol and his family has been members of Congregation Shomrei Torah for almost forty years. After graduating high school, he moved to Sacramento to attend California State University, Sacramento. While living in Sacramento, he married his partner Nicollette, who grew up in Sonoma County as well. They decided to move back home in 2012 to be closer to family and raise their twins, Avi and Ella, in the most incredible place in the world! Upon returning to Sonoma County, Eli got involved in Congregation Shomrei Torah as an adult and has been serving on the board for the past 10 years.

Kevin Scheier

My name is Kevin Scheier, and I live in  Sebastopol with my wife, Hillary, a talented kosher chef, and my youngest daughter Isabella, a talented product designer. My oldest daughter lives in Santa Rosa with her husband and my new first Granddaughter Naomi. My parents moved to Redwood City from New York in 1963 where we started  a 60 year affiliation with Congregation Beth Jacob and where I had the honor to work on the Executive Board and other committees. Recently retired from a successful 35-year career in silicon valley, we moved from Mountain View to Sonoma County about three years ago.  I enjoy gardening, investing and quality family time including our lovable Labrador Retriever, Spike.

Judith Richlin-Klonsky

My husband Dan, daughter Baylee, and I joined the CST community in 2007.  A few factoids that reflect my life: Home bases before arriving in Santa Rosa: SoCal’s San Gabriel Valley and LA’s Westside. Most memorable workplaces: UCLA; SRJC; Andrus Gerontology Center (USC); Sonoma State. Words that family and friends say describe me: Caring; curly haired; funny; honest; organized. Recent involvement at CST: Board Secretary; 2021 Visioning Task Force; Meditation Planning Group; Religious Practices Committee; presentations on race relations. How I’d describe Shomrei Torah: Open-minded and open-hearted.

Sharon Bauman

My family and I joined Congregation Shomrei Torah in 2010. Since then I’ve had the honor of serving the congregation in many capacities including as the President of the Board of Directors for three years, a longstanding Board member, a member of the Executive Committee, a member of the Religious School Committee and a member of the Human Resources Committee.  Both of my children (Hannah – 18 years old and  Amelia – 15 years old) have grown up at Congregation Shomrei Torah and I can’t overstate the meaningful impact this community has had on me and my family over the years. Outside of synagogue life, I am an employment lawyer with a practice based in San Francisco and my husband, John, is living the Sonoma County dream – cultivating wine grapes on our estate vineyard and making both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for our family-owned winery, Westerhold Family Vineyards.

Dave Fichera

My family and I joined Congregation Shomrei Torah in 2009 and I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the board since 2015 (with a one year hiatus in 2019).  I am currently the chair of the Youth Committee on which I have served since 2012, and enjoy helping to steer the religious school and youth programming through the lens of being a public school administrator. With professional experience in technology, audio/visual systems, media production, and music, there are many opportunities for me to lend my expertise to Shomrei Torah. Some of my favorite projects have included engineering our streaming system and leading the youth Kol Nidre string ensemble. I am grateful for the many benefits that being a member of Congregation Shomrei Torah offers; it's an honor to serve the community and give back to an organization that gives us so much in return.

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Gael Forest-Knowles

My name is Gael Forest-Knowles. My Jewish name is Avigayil bat Yoseph Yehudah v’Miriam. I was born in New York City and raised near Westport, Connecticut. I moved to San Francisco in 1972 to continue my clinical studies towards a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and I retired in 2009 after 34 years as a speech therapist for the Rincon Valley Union School District. In 1977, I married my loving husband, Yancey, and we were blessed with one daughter, Lauren, in 1985.

My “hobbies” have included travel, trap shooting, line dancing, hiking, tennis, pickleball, meditation, reading, watching movies and caring for my two dogs, Desilu (Black Pug) and Bo (Goldendoodle).

After taking a trip to Israel in 2018, primarily to visit the tomb of my 16th century ancestor, I came to a Rabbi’s Tisch, was invited to attend a Torah Study and became an official member of Congregation Shomrei Torah in March 2019. Since then, I have been a regular member of Torah Study. I became a Bat Mitzvah in 2021 and, shortly thereafter, I joined our Social Action Committee. In 2022, I was one of the Jewish activists who worked with the Asian-American community to ensure that both Hebrew and Japanese languages were included on the Unum sculpture in the Santa Rosa Courthouse Square. In 2023, I chaired the 3-part Building Alliances series in an effort to build mutual understanding and support between minority communities. I am dedicated to our Jewish community and our responsibility to Tikkun Olam, “repairing the world”.

Pam Loman

My name is Pamela Loman, and I’ve lived in Santa Rosa for the past 18 years.  I live with my husband, Mark Homicz , and our 16 year-old son Cole. Our 19-year-old daughter Maya is currently studying in Boston, pursuing a BFA in musical theatre at Boston Conservatory at Berklee School of Music.  

I work as a psychologist in private practice, specializing in children and families, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and learning disabilities. When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling (I’ve been to 36 countries so far!), reading, and spending time with friends. Throughout my kids’ education, I have spent significant time volunteering at their schools. I have also provided foster care for dogs and cats through Dogwood Animal Rescue Project. 

I have been honored to serve on Shomrei’s board for the past two years. We have been members for about 12 years now —celebrating my children’s B’nai mitzvahshave been two of the happiest days in our family’s lives.  I grew up in New Jersey attending Temple Beth El, where my dad was an active volunteer. I am happy to carry on his legacy here at Shomrei Torah! 

Erica Magers

Erica Magers, her husband, Justin, and their two children joined Congregation Shomrei Torah in 2011, and in 2019, Erica was invited to join the board. In addition to this role, she has served on and chaired the Shomrei Torah Religious School (STaRS) Committee, has assisted with annual budget planning, and recently joined the Membership Committee. Erica and her family enjoy many of the programs and activities offered at Shomrei Torah; the monthly Rabbi’s Tisch being a favorite. 

Erica’s two children attended STaRS and had their B’ Mitzvahs at Shomrei Torah. Her eldest child was a madrich and served on the youth board. Her youngest is currently a member of the youth board and will be participating in the Tzedek Social Justice Fellowship in 2023-24.

Erica grew up in Westchester County, NY and obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis. Professionally, she is a Senior Project Manager for an engineering company that produces automated test equipment. When not working or volunteering, Erica enjoys spending time with family and friends, mountain biking and hiking in Annadel State Park, cooking, reading, and traveling.

Nicole Novach

Nicole Novach has been an educator and tutor for both children and adults since 2002. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from The American University in Washington, D.C., where she studied both Elementary and Special Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities and individualizing educational programs. Since moving to Santa Rosa in 2012, she has worked inside and outside of schools and school settings developing innovative curriculum for children of all ages. Nicole is a board member at CST and is the PJ Library Parent Connector for Sonoma County where she helps Jewish Families form friendships and connect to the larger Jewish community. Nicole, and her husband Wayne are proud parents to Hazel and Tallulah.

  

Amy Pearl

Amy and her spouse Skip moved to Santa Rosa in 2018 from Los Altos. Amy joined CST in late 2019, just in time for the pandemic shutdown! As a Certified Financial Planner and founder of the independent Registered Investment Advisory firm, Acorn Financial Planning, she landed on the temple’s Finance Committee. She previously spent 20 years in senior Research and Development positions at pioneering public Silicon Valley high technology companies.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, she grew up in a liberal upper middle class Jewish family, to first generation American parents. From her early reform Jewish education and thanks to the active commitment of her parents, she went to very integrated public schools and inherited an appreciation for knowing one’s own culture, but valuing people of different backgrounds.

Amy was the national Board Chair of Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains women to run for office and is still on their Advisory Board. She is a co-founder of Electing Women Bay Area, a donor circle supporting women running for US Senate and Governor, and active in the Electing Women Wine Country group.

Amy holds a BA in Computer Science from Mills College and an MA in Computer Science from Stanford University.

Steve Schwartz

Steve Schwartz has been a member of Congregation Shomrei Torah since 2002, and both his daughters came through the STaRS and B'Mitzvah Programs. Steve previously served for a short period on the Religious Practices Committee and has been a guest speaker for the B'Mitzvah class a couple of times over the years. He has been a willing but very occasional Torah reader -- if not a solid or tuneful Torah reader.  

He has previously served on the boards of local, and state-wide non-profit organizations, including URJ member Congregation B'nai Israel in Sacramento where he served as Social Action Committee Chair. He also has Board experience from directing two non-profit organizations, and serving on the Gravenstein School Board. Steve lives in Sebastopol and works to integrate Jewish life into his small farm through the cycles of the agriculture seasons and Jewish agricultural festivals.  

As a long-time fan of CST, he's excited to be part of the Board during the transition period following Rabbi George's retirement.

Des Shapiro

I am an expat South African, having immigrated with my wife Margaret to the US in 1975. I’m a retired physician nephrologist, parent of two children and grandparent of three, all of whose presence we are blessed with in Santa Rosa.

We became synagogue members on our arrival, initially at Beth Ami, and then at Shomrei Torah, since before Rabbi George’s arrival.

I started the Jewish nursery school  at Beth Ami and the Jewish Day school of Sonoma County. My main interests are ensuring a vibrant, curious and safe community and future for the Jewish people of Sonoma County, and contributing our strengths for the benefit of others. 

  

Ellen van den Berg

In 2009 I joined Shomrei Torah and was SAC’s co-chair for 6 years till 2021. I continue to be a member of SAC and am currently the co-chair for the Sonoma County Community Yom Hashoah Committee. I joined the CST Board in 2021 as the SAC liaison. It’s an honor to be contributing to the growth and health of this wonderful Shomrei Torah community which has become such an important part of my life.

My professional life spanned from retail to certified financial planner till the mid 90s. I then got my MA in Organization Development and established my own business as a consultant and executive coach. I retired from my business at the end of 2021.

On a personal level - I was born and raised in post-WWII Netherlands and came to the United States in my early 20s and eventually settled in Sonoma County.

In my spare time you can find me at Spring Lake, Annadel, Sugarloaf etc. or at the Coast walking the many trails in our beautiful county. I enjoy painting and have a yoga and meditation practice that keeps me sane.

Donna Waldman

Donna Waldman has lived in Sonoma County since 1988.  She works at the Jewish Community Free Clinic as Executive Director, and was one of the original clinic founders. In addition to her extensive involvement in various local and national non-profit organizations, Donna also has more than 40 years of experience as a corporate manager. Many of you might know her as the founder, designer and owner of Pantropic, a national hat brand that was based in Sebastopol which was sold to the Bollman Hat Company in 2007. Fluent in Spanish, Donna has been a community organizer and social justice warrior since the early 1970′s, and has been instrumental in the design and management of several health care and educational organizations.

Elisette Weiss

Elisette Weiss has a deep connection to the CST community and a strong desire to help it grow to meet the evolving needs of the future. With previous experience serving on multiple boards and a professional background in reproductive health social science research, education, and advocacy, Elisette brings a wealth of expertise in nonprofit operations and management. She has a proven track record of effective board leadership and a commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community. Currently leading District Partnerships for ClassDojo, Elisette is dedicated to building stronger classroom communities for elementary schools worldwide. As a mother of two young sons, Judah (4) and Lev (1), she, alongside her husband Jacob, is driven by a desire to create a resilient and inclusive environment for future generations. With her diverse experiences, community dedication, and proficiency in nonprofit operations and management, Elisette is eager to contribute to the CST board and help shape its successful future.

Fri, February 14 2025 16 Sh'vat 5785