Meet The Team

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

Glynnis Fisher Levitt 

Chief Operating Officer

Glynnis first came to work for Temple Beth El as a volunteer assistant, working with clergy and the former Executive Director.  After years in banking and finance, it was time for a change, and in 2021 she moved into the role as TBE’s Chief Operating Officer, where she now oversees the day-to-day operations of TBE.  For nearly 40 years Glynnis worked in real estate, with the last 25 years focusing on commercial real estate lending and financial analysis.  During that time, she volunteered as a professional with the CCIM Institute, (an international commercial real estate educational and networking non-profit), the Alabama Chapter of CCIM, and with CREW Network (Commercial Real Estate Women, a national non-profit), and BirminghamCREW.  In these non-profit roles, she held leadership positions, and was heavily involved in education, finance and budget, strategic planning, governance, board training, and operations.  She is a graduate of the CCIM Jay W. Levine Leadership Academy; recognized as one of Real Estate Forum’s Commercial Real Estate’s “Women of Influence”; and given the Alabama CCIM Lifetime Achievement Award.   In her career with various banking and commercial real estate finance institutions, she developed a strong skill set that allows her to navigate the many hats required of her current role as COO.  Her love of Temple Beth El is her motivation, and she is committed to TBE’s present and its future.     

Email Glynnis at glevitt@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

Aryn Wallsh 

Receptionist

Email Aryn at volunteer@templebeth-el.net 

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

Teresa Cottrell

 Chef de Partie