Our Rabbi
Rabbi Steven Henkin
Spiritual Leader
Rabbi Steven Henkin is thrilled to be the rabbi at Temple Beth El! He has previously served as the rabbi at Congregation Agudath Achim in Savannah and the Director of Congregational Learning at Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, MD. A native of the Chicago suburbs (and lifelong Chicago sports fan), Rabbi Henkin received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota, an M.A. from Emory University, and was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles. Rabbi Henkin brings with him a passion for building community, both within and outside the Jewish community, education both of children and adults, and making Judaism meaningful and relevant to the daily life of 21st Century Jews. He loves music, exercise, cooking, and being outdoors. He is excited to share his adventures with his wife, Orly, their children, Dinah and Noah, and their dog, Maccabee.
Check out this welcome message from a few members of the Temple Beth El team.
You can contact Rabbi Henkin at rabbihenkin@templebeth-el.net
Meet the Staff
Margaret Norman
Director of Programming and Engagement
Margaret Norman is the Director of Programming and Engagement at Temple Beth El where she develops responsive programming, works on community engagement, and fosters collaborative partnerships. She also oversees the development of the Beth El Civil Rights Experience; a multimedia community history project exploring Jewish Birmingham and Civil Rights. Margaret received her BA in Individualized Study from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a concentration in Food Systems and Public Policy, and her MA in American Studies with UNC-Chapel Hill. Before coming to Temple Beth El she worked across fields of food, education, and public history with organizations such as the the Jefferson County Memorial Project, Jones Valley Teaching Farm, and the Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Margaret grew up in an interfaith family in Vermont, where she went to synagogue in a farmhouse and first developed the love for Jewish community that she brings to her work today.
Email Margaret at mnorman@templebeth-el.net
Howard Kaplan
Director of Member Services and Logistics
Howard comes to us with amazing computer and tech skills, experience with ShulCloud (so yes, he can get you set up and answer all your questions), website upkeep and design experience, years of volunteer service with many different organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, and the Federation of Jewish Men’s Club (where he currently serves as vice-president of the Torch Awards).
He is highly organized; very detailed; has planned and implemented hundreds of events over the years; and he has a great attitude! If you have questions around ShulCloud, something that you notice around the temple that needs repair, or any other member service issue, start with Howard!
Email Howard at hkaplan@templebeth-el.net
Andrea May
Bookkeeper
Andrea comes to us after almost 27 years working for State Farm Insurance, where she spent most of her time in the Public Affairs and Learning & Development departments. She and her husband, Bo, and daughter, Gabrielle, moved to Birmingham from Florida in the summer of 2009. She says she’s here to stay, especially after her sister and brother-in-law moved up here to be closer to family.
Andrea loves staying busy, which TBE and our bookkeeping department happily provide! Andrea is a member of the J and is an avid runner, reader and shopper.
Email Andrea at bookkeeper@templebeth-el.net
Nico Cuso
Maintenance Supervisor
Cathy Fingerman
Executive Director, Temple Beth-El Foundation
Cathy is a recovering city magazine publisher who is delighted to bring her creative flair and communication skills to the Temple Beth-El Foundation. A long-time member of Temple Beth-El, Cathy is married to Irwin Fingerman, an optometrist, and they live in Hoover. Their three children, Shera, Levi, and Seth all had their B'nai Mitzvahs at TBE. Cathy can't imagine a better place to work, and she invites you to visit her in her TBE office, where the door is always open.
Email Cathy at tbefoundation@templebeth-el.net | 205.213.1025
Our Kitchen Staff
Bernard Axel
Executive Chef
Warren Collins
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Mandy Deavers
Head Baker/Sous Chef
Teresa Cottrell
Chef de Partie
Anthony Peasant
Escuelerie (Dishwasher)
Get in touch with our kitchens team at kitchens@templebeth-el.net
Executive Board
Naomi Ivker, President Email
Allen Halpern, First Vice President/President Elect & Men’s Club Representative
Joshua Richman, Second Vice President
Ronald Levitt, Treasurer & Immediate Past President
Steve Altmann, Secretary
Board Members
Fred Benjamin
Scott Bloomston
Alejandra Lopez
Michael Sznajderman
Karen Weinrib
Ina Buchanan
Samantha Palmer
Susan Lapidus (TBE Sisterhood)
Robbie Rothenberg
Ken Jaffe
Melissa Altmann
Holly Radwin Mazer
Sue Lischkoff
Duncan Lamb
Suzanne Bearman
Bernard Stern
Billy Lapidus
Evan Rhodes
Jonathan Horn
Natalie Kianoff Goldsmith