In July of 2008, Rabbi Allison Leigh Berry joined the Temple Beth David community as the new rabbi.
A native of Natick, Massachusetts and a graduate of Brandeis University with majors in both Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Music, she was privileged to serve on the board of Hillel and to study abroad in Vienna, Austria, forming ties with the small Jewish community. After graduation, she served as the family-life educator at Congregation Miskan Tefila in Newton, Massachusetts and as a cantorial soloist for several Boston-area congregations. Through this work, Rabbi Berry discovered her passion for Jewish education, teaching and counseling, leading to her decision to enter rabbinical school.
While studying for the rabbinate at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, Rabbi Berry served as the student Rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in Hickory, North Carolina and Congregation Adas Emuno in Leonia, New Jersey. She also completed the chaplaincy-training program at Cornell-Presbyterian Hospital.
Upon ordination in May of 2007, Rabbi Berry served as the Rabbi and Educator of the Fellowship for Jewish Learning, a Havurah in Stamford, Connecticut and as an interfaith chaplain at Stamford Hospital, counseling patients and families in times of crisis. A passionate advocate for support and outreach to interfaith families, she has also worked at the Union for Reform Judaism in the Outreach and Membership department.
Rabbi Berry and her husband Mark are excited to return to the Boston area and look forward to joining the Temple Beth David community. She hopes that Temple Beth David will continue to be a second home to all who walk through its doors and a place of spirituality, learning, safety and growth.
After ten years serving as the Rabbi of the Temple Beth David community, Rabbi Judson left the Temple in June of 2008. He will serve as the Director of Professional Development and Placement at the Hebrew College Rabbinical School . He will be attending Brandeis University as doctoral candidate in Jewish History. The temple community wishes Rabbi Judson well in his endeavors. The Temple has provided the Rabbi and his family with a lifetime membership in the Temple Beth David community.
Howard L. Worona has served Temple Beth David as its Cantorial Soloist / Musical Director since 1984. His musical repertoire spans a wide range of Jewish musical styles from traditional chazanut to the music of Debbie Friedman. Worona often leads the congregation in song to guitar accompaniment. In addition to chanting the musical portion of Shabbat and holiday services, Howard also directs the Junior Choir, a group of pre-b'nai mitzvah students, who assist him in the leading of monthly Friday evening family Shabbat services. He also directs the Adult Choir which sings once a month at Friday evening services, special events and High Holy Day Services.
Howard teaches music at Hanscom Middle School on Hanscom AFB and is the Director of the Lincoln and Hanscom After School Music Programs. In addition, he is the music instructor at Beth Elohim Religious School in Acton, a position he has held since 2003, and Music Counselor at Nobles Day Camp in Dedham since 1986. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Voice and Music Education from the New England Conservatory Of Music in 1975 and a Master's Degree in Integrated Arts and Education from Lesley College Graduate School in 1982. Howard resides in Natick with his wife, Laura. His son Evan is persuing a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts at Johnson and Wales and his daughter Lilli, a student at Hobart & William Smith Colleges is studying Environmental Science.
Jason Ribak and his family joined Temple Beth David in 1994. When he joined he figured he would attend services once a year, and drop his daughter off at Religious School on Sunday mornings. However there was something about the Temple Beth David community that prompted him to be more than a consumer.
Jason served as Membership Committee chairperson from 1996 to 2000. Jason served on the Executive Committee as Recording Secretary from 1999 to 2002, and as Vice President from 2002 to 2008. Jason commenced serving as President in June of 2008. As a Temple Beth David representative, he took part in The Leadership Development Institute (2004 - 2006) sponsored by Combined Jewish Philanthropies. From 1997 to 1999, Jason and his wife, Amy, taught the temple's Preschool class. From 1998 to the present, Jason has taught the temple's Religious School 6th grade. He has also served as president of the Temple's Brotherhood. Jason and his wife, Amy, and daughter, Megan, reside in Canton , MA . Megan attended Religious and Hebrew School at Temple Beth David, and became Bat Mitzvah. In his professional life, Jason practices law in a small family law practice in Dedham , MA.
As President, Jason inherits a Temple Beth David tradition of community with a commitment to serious Jewish study and practice. His goals are to build on this solid foundation by fostering an ongoing spirit of the "temple family" to build and retain membership, and to ensure Temple Beth David's dynamic future by engaging in leadership development. He also intends to "Do more, talk less, and greet each person with a smile."
