Leadership

OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS!

Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfarb

Rabbi Dr. Mark Goldfarb brings with him a contagious enthusiasm, sense of humor, and passion for teaching Judaism.

During his 25 years in the rabbinate, Rabbi Mark Goldfarb has served congregations in Texas, Michigan, Ohio and California. Rabbi Goldfarb responds to the needs of the congregation and its members through innovative programming, the creation of meaningful, moving worship experiences and life-cycle events, and opportunities for enrichment that expand the horizons of our knowledge and deepen our connection to the spiritual. Rabbi Goldfarb explores Judaism with our youth through creative Judaic and Hebrew learning, creates stimulating, lifelong learning opportunities for adults, and responds to the needs of those in interfaith relationships with sensitivity, openness and support.

Rabbi Goldfarb received ordination from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1991. He received advanced training in chaplaincy and was a chaplain for hospice, senior care centers, prisons and hospitals, most recently with St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA. In 2016, Rabbi Goldfarb was honored by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion for his 25 years of service to the Jewish community. He has also received his Doctorate of Divinity Degree (h.c.).

Cantor Kenneth Jaffe

About Cantor Jaffe

Cantor Ken Jaffe has always had a deep love of Judaism and the arts while growing up in Connecticut.

A few years after receiving his degree in vocal performance at Oberlin College, he finally married these two loves of his and enrolled in cantorial studies at the Hebrew Union College, where he received his Master’s in Sacred Music. Since that time, Cantor Ken has busied himself with writing synagogue music, creating religious music curricula, and wrote a major Jewish music bibliography (Scarecrow Press 2010). In addition, Cantor Ken has had a deep passion for teaching Hebrew decoding to students of all ages, and his Hebroot Camp program has begun to be implemented in congregations throughout Southern California. Wearing a different hat, Cantor Ken has a love for teaching voice and runs a busy voice studio. He is married to Deanna Ableser, a teacher and nationally recognized playwright, and is the proud father of daughters Zahava and Grace.

Denean Dyson

About Denean Dyson

Our Office Administrator, Denean Dyson (better known as “D”) has been keeping our office running smoothly since 2004.

A capable manager, D handles all of our office needs by managing our database, taking care of all incoming and outgoing correspondence, and creating and distributing our email campaigns. With a smile that can be heard over the phone, D is the friendly voice greeting you when you contact the Temple with your questions or concerns.

In addition to her work here at Temple Beth Ohr, Denean is an accomplished professional musician, holding a BA in Music from California State University, Fullerton. She exhibits these talents by joining our professional quartet during the High Holy Days and other special services, and her creative nature shines even in her administrative work. Denean is an accomplished featured soloist, performing in a variety of genres such as Classical, R&B, Jazz, and Blues, and also currently performs with various choral organizations in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. [Read all about D’s musical side on her website: www.DeneanDysonMusic.com]

Dr. Ray Urwin

About Dr. Urwin

Dr. Ray Urwin came to us in 2008, after serving at Temple Judea in Laguna Woods. He has also been Organist and Accompanist at temples in Westminster, Santa Monica, San Pedro, Hollywood, and Stony Brook, NY.

He was Director of Music at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates for 25 years and is now Minister of Music at Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church in Corona del Mar. Ray is a published composer and arranger of choral and organ pieces, as well as hymn tunes in the Episcopal, Lutheran, and other hymnals. He has also been a reviewer for various church and music journals and a faculty member at church music conferences. As a performer, Ray has played at the Long Beach Bach Festival, the Bach’s Lunch series in Manhattan Beach, and the Wednesday noon concerts at First Methodist in Santa Monica, and he has been a regular performer at the weekly midday organ concerts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Ray is accompanist and a board member of Cantori Domino, one of the finest choirs in the area. He attended Oberlin College, SUNY Stony Brook and Yale University, receiving a Doctor of Music degree.

Rabbi Dr. Goldmark

About Rabbi Goldmark

Rabbi Dr. Lawrence Goldmark is a graduate of UCLA (BA in Psychology), Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles (BHL), and earned his MAHL from the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1994 from Hebrew Union College, in honor of his 25 years as a rabbi. He spent a year in Jerusalem at the Hebrew University, served as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, and was also a rabbi at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles from 1971 to 1979.

Rabbi Goldmark is very active in the community. He has been President of the La Mirada Clergy Association and has served as President of the Orange County Board of Rabbis. Currently he serves as President of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and Executive Vice President of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis. From 1993-95, Rabbi Goldmark served as the Recording Secretary of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, a worldwide organization of 1700 reform rabbis.

After 29 years as the spiritual leader and principal of Temple Beth Ohr’s religious school, Rabbi Goldmark retired in 2008 and is our Rabbi Emeritus.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-2021