Rabbi Michelle L. Goldsmith assumed the pulpit at Temple Beth-El on July 1, 2009. After graduating with a B.A. from American Jewish University in 1993, she received her Master of Hebrew Letters from the same university the following year. Rabbi Goldsmith then attended the Jewish Theological Seminary, from which she received an M.A., and her ordination in 1998. After three years as Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom Congregation in Jacksonville, Florida, Rabbi Goldsmith joined Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota, where she has served as Associate Rabbi since 2001. At Beth Sholom, she was instrumental in revitalizing the day and religious schools, and created and led teen, adult, and family education programs. Rabbi Goldsmith also excelled as a spiritual leader, initiating and leading family High Holiday services and monthly musical Family Learner Services that proved very popular with her congregation. A prayer written by her appeared in Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin’s Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope. Rabbi Goldsmith plays guitar and enjoys leading congregants and students in song. Rabbi Goldsmith and her husband Jeff live in Mountain Brook with their four children, Aviella, Rafaella, Jonah & Shiah.

Cantor Daniel Gale joined the Temple Beth-El professional staff in July, 2005. Born in Bay City, Michigan, he began the study of hazzanut at an early age, and in his teens began to serve as cantor for Bay City’s Temple Israel, as well for nearby congregations in Saginaw and Midland, Michigan. Cantor Gale studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Active in interfaith affairs, Cantor Gale has worked with the Bridge Center for Racial Harmony and the Ecumenical Council/Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, developing programs to promote interfaith understanding and religious tolerance. In recognition of his work in community affairs, he received the Bridge Center’s Spirit of the River Award for Religious Leadership, and the City of Bay City’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Keep the Dream Alive” Award. As a concert artist, he has performed extensively throughout the United States with such groups as the Santa Fe Opera, the Northwood Orchestra, and Ars Musica Baroque Orchestra. At The Temple in Atlanta, he performed the world-premier of Laurence Sherr’s Fugitive Footsteps, a work for cantor and choir memorializing victims of the Holocaust. He appears on a CD entitled The Spirit of Passover: Voices of the Conservative Movement, a recording project of the Cantors Assembly and the United Synagogue. Cantor Gale was invested by the Cantors Assembly and the Jewish Ministers Cantors Association, and has served on the boards of the Michigan Board of Cantors and the B’nai B’rith Great Lakes Regional Arts Council. Cantor Gale has one teenage son, Noah.

Laura Kisber Benjaminson became executive director of Temple Beth-El in 2001 and traces her dedication to the Birmingham Jewish community to her childhood and education at Temple Beth-El, which she describes as always having been her second home. She attended kindergarten at Beth-el and has celebrated all of her life cycle events here. Laura attended Emory University and graduated first in her class from UAB School of Dentistry in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene for hospital and surgical settings. She is currently nearing completion of a Master of Arts degree in Jewish Studies and is a recent recipient of the Excellence in Bible award from Siegal College of Judaic Studies. Laura’s special interest is working on the professional team and with lay leadership to build community and ensure opportunities for spiritual growth and learning. Mrs. Benjaminson and her husband, Ari, have four children, three in universities around the US and one in high school.

Jerrold Leeson joined our professional team as Temple Beth-El’s Director of Education in July 1, 2002. Mr. Leeson has been working in Jewish Education for over 30 years. He has served congregations in Detroit, North Miami Beach, Charlotte, Denver, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Sarasota and Colorado Springs. He comes to Temple Beth-El from Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mr. Leeson’s Jewish education experience is extensive having directed Early Childhood, Religious School, Hebrew School, and B’Nai Mitzvah programs. He has worked with youth groups, taught adult education classes, been a camp director, and directed leadership development programs. He has written numerous plays, musicals, songbooks, and books. He is a lecturer on all aspects of Jewish Education and faculty training, youth activities, drugs, sex, parent-child relationships, cults, etc. Mr. Leeson was the founding President of JYDA (Jewish Youth Directors Assn.) of United Synagogue of America.