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Leadership & Staff

Shomrei Torah Staff

 
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Rabbi Andi Berlin, Interim Rabbi

Rabbi Andi Berlin notes, “I came to know Shomrei Torah when I worked for the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and have always been impressed with the community’s warmth, engagement, and religious diversity. Given my blend of rabbinic expertise and organizational development skills, I can help Shomrei Torah process the retirement of your long-time senior rabbi, support the remaining staff, and look forward to welcoming a settled rabbi.”

Rabbi Berlin spent most of her congregational rabbinic career at Temple Sinai of Oakland, where she is known for her teaching and pastoral care. Rabbi Berlin developed a passion for helping organizations through transition, conflict, and development when she worked for the URJ. Most recently, she operated Berlin Consulting, LLC in the San Francisco Bay Area, working with corporations to resolve conflict, develop leaders, negotiate difficult decisions, and ensure organizational growth and strength. Rabbi Berlin was a member and chair of the Ethics Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR); the president of the Pacific Area of Reform Rabbis; and chair of the East Bay Council of Rabbis.

Rabbi Berlin holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Sociology/World Religion from Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was recognized with several community and academic honors. She received a Master’s of Hebrew Letters and Ordination through the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where she received prizes for her sermons and community organizing.  The Interim Search Committee, Board of Directors, clergy, and staff were impressed with her ability to make Torah accessible and relevant and found her personally approachable and engaging.

In her free time, Rabbi Berlin enjoys hiking with Jon and Buddy (her spouse and her dog), spending time with her family, cooking, reading, camping, traveling, and performing with her improv troupe.

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Erev Cantor 

Erica Wisner (she/her) is honored to serve as Erev Cantor, B'Mitzvah coordinator, tutor, and choir director at Congregation Shomrei Torah. 

As a young child, Erica grew up going to services and fell in love with Jewish musical liturgy when her parents started a synagogue in Sacramento County. Erica is in her fourth year of cantorial school at the Academy for Jewish Religion, California, and also serves on the board of the Guild of Temple Musicians, an affiliate organization of the American Conference of Cantors. 

Erica holds a master’s degree from The Boston Conservatory and a bachelor’s degree from UCLA. 

Erica and her husband, Chris, moved to Santa Rosa in 2008. They have two great kids and two dogs. Listen to Erica's Music.

Executive Director 

Katie Evenbeck (she/her) came to CST in 2021 with a wealth of management, budgeting and fundraising experience. 

For more than 17 years, Katie served as the Executive Director of St. Dorothy’s Rest, an Episcopal camp and retreat center located in West County. Katie has also served as the Community Services Director in the Indiana prison system; ran YMCA Camp Roger in Salt Lake City, UT; and is an AmeriCorps Alum.

Katie has a BA in Economics & Sociology, MS in Sociology, and an M.Div. from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. 

When not working or in school, Katie enjoys spending time with Lucie, her fourteen-year-old, Ike, her partner, and Rosie, her Lab Corgi. She is an avid documentary film fan, softball mom, Zumba instructor, and creator of pediokies, an experience of getting a pedicure while singing Karaoke!

Director of Education and Youth Engagement 

Nicole Novach has been an educator, mentor 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 believes that a dynamic, project-based and experiential education is the key to truly engaging learners.

At CST, Nicole has served as a board member, a KIDdish (ages 2-5) and K-1 teacher, a member of the youth committee and the Rabbinic Search Committee. For the past seven years Nicole served as the PJ Library Parent Connector for Sonoma County where she helps Jewish Families form friendships and connect to the larger Jewish community. 

Outside of CST, Nicole enjoys time with her family and friends adventuring, rock climbing, dancing, cooking, singing, and gardening. She also loves to travel, and prior to moving to Sonoma County, Nicole and her husband Wayne circumnavigated the world via 25 countries and 56,000 miles. Nicole and Wayne are proud parents of Hazel and Tallulah. 

Operations and Finance Manager

Pieter Palmer came to Congregation Shomrei Torah in 2022 and worked as an Administrative Assistant, Tech Support, Facilities and Operations manager, and after a brief leave of absence, returned in 2025 as the Operations and Finance Manager 

 

Operations Associate

Amir Wilson (he/him) joined CST as Operations Associate in July 2024. With extensive experience in customer service roles, Amir leads with a blend of charisma, a warm smile, and, most importantly, kindness.

He is deeply passionate about worker’s rights and advocating for social justice, particularly for black and brown queer folk. Amir aims to forge a career in employment law to champion those who are underrepresented in the workplace.

Outside of his professional commitments, Amir manages multiple roles and enjoys spending his free time hiking or dining with friends at local restaurants. A favorite spot of his is Sea Noodle Bar in Santa Rosa, which he enthusiastically describes as "offering the best Thai food in town!"

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 
Gael Forest-Knowles
Pamela Loman
Erica Magers
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Amy Pearl
 

COMMITTEES & GROUPS

 

Committee Chairs

CARING COMMITTEE
Bonnie Ferber Hart, Interim Leader
 
CULTURAL COMMITTEE
Beverly McChesney
 
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Eli Weinzveg
 
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Kevin Scheier
 
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Sharon Bauman
 
JEWISH MEDITATION PLANNING COMMITTEE
Alissa Hirshfeld
 
LEGACY CIRCLE COMMITTEE
Marsha Jacobs
LIFELONG LEARNING COMMITTEE
Carolyn Carregui
 
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Larry Lapides, Sandy Sidorsky
 
ONEG COMMITTEE
Susan Roth
 
RELIGIOUS PRACTICES COMMITTEE
Judith Richlin-Klonsky
 
SECURITY COMMITTEE
Arnold Rosenfield
 
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Stephen Harper
 
YOUTH COMMITTEE
Dave Fichera

Group Leaders

CHAVURAH
Jan Schwartz
 
CHOIR
Erev Cantor Erica Wisner
 
ELISHA'S PANTRY
Suzanne Abrams
 
GREETING CARDS
Lee Spitzer
 
LITERARY CIRCLE
Sandy Sidorsky
 
LIBRARY
Stan Roodman
 
TORAH ORGANIZERS
Fran Danoff
 
WOMEN’S INTEREST GROUPS
Ronnie Campagna
Mon, June 30 2025 4 Tammuz 5785