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.
Howard Worona celebrates his 25th anniversary this year as Cantorial Soloist/ Music Director at Temple Beth David. His musical repertoire spans a wide range of Jewish musical styles from traditional chazanut to the music of Debbie Friedman, Craig Taubman and other contemporary composers of Jewish music. 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.
He is Music Director at Hanscom Middle School, Director of the Lincoln After School Music Program, Music Teacher at Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton and Music Counselor at Nobles Day Camp. Howard received a Bachelor's Degree in Voice and Music Education from the New England Conservatory of Music and a Master's Degree in Integrated Arts and Education from Lesley College Graduate School. He lives in Natick with his wife Laura. Their daughter Lilli lives in Bend, Oregon and their son Evan will complete his studies at Johnson and Wales in Providence, RI in May 2009.
Audrey Alberts joined Temple Beth David’s congregational family in 1999 along with her husband Jeff. Their daughter Victoria “Tori” became a bat mitzvah and was confirmed after attending Prozdor.
Audrey has served in various roles at TBD such as Vice President for six years, Chair of Membership, Building and Grounds, and Music. She continues to be active on the Aesthetics committee, K’Sharim, Sisterhood, and enjoys singing with the Adult Choir. As a Temple Beth David representative, she was involved in The Leadership Development Institute (2004-2006) which was sponsored by Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Being involved in the Temple Beth David community has had a spill over effect into Audrey’s personal life that makes each family an extension of the other.
Audrey has been a family law paralegal for over twenty years and is currently working at Ginsburg & Leshin, LLP in Wellesley. One of Audrey’s favorite quotes is… "No matter how successful I become as a playwright, my mother would be thrilled to hear me tell her that I'd just lost twenty pounds, gotten married and become a lawyer." (Wendy Wasserstein, playwright)
