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
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
Stephanie Butler
Director of Programming and Engagement
Stephanie Butler is the Director of Programming and Engagement at Temple Beth El where she develops responsive programming, works on community engagement, and fosters collaborative partnerships. Stephanie and her husband Kevin have two teenage sons. She received her BA in Communications from the University of Alabama and her MA in Public Administration from UAB. She has 17 years of experience in Jewish education and programming at congregations of all sizes, she has worked in public education and nonprofit management, and she serves in volunteer leadership roles in the League of Women Voters of Alabama. Stephanie has a lifelong commitment to public service and to building and sustaining Jewish community.
Email Stephanie at sbutler@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
Teresa Cottrell
Head Chef/Kitchen Manager
Warren Collins
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Bernard Axel
Volunteer Executive Chef
Get in touch with our kitchens team at kitchens@templebeth-el.net
Executive Board
Allen Halpern, President Email
Joshua Richman, First Vice President/President Elect
Sue Lischkoff, Second Vice President
Ronald Levitt, Treasurer & Immediate Past President
Steve Altmann, Secretary & Men’s Club Representative Naomi Ivker, Immediate Past President
Board Members
Melissa Altmann (Sisterhood Rep.)
Marsha Asman
Suzanne Bearman
Scott Bloomston
Brandon Cohen
Alejandra Colon-Lopez
Natalie Kianoff Goldsmith
Ron Froehlich (Foundation Rep.) Douglas Gilbert
Jonathan Horn
Ken Jaffe
Duncan Lamb
Stacy Ladden
Samantha Palmer
Holly Radwin Mazer Evan Rhodes
Robbie Rothenberg
Bridget Sikora
Bernard Stern
Michael Sznajderman
Karen Weinrib