The youngsters at Temple Beth Orr like to proudly proclaim, “Our rabbi’s Gross!” And while it’s understandable how Rabbi Mark Wm. Gross can at times be mistaken for the Pied Piper, the adult members of the congregation know that his level of scholarly learning makes him not only an approachable leader but an inspiring one as well.
With a strong sense of community, Rabbi Gross has been at the pulpit of Temple Beth Orr since 1986 and has used his position to create an inclusive atmosphere, forging partnerships to launch events like the citywide National Day of Prayer each May and the annual pre-Thanksgiving Interfaith Unity Service, to name just two of his innumerable far-reaching involvements.
Rabbi Gross’s goals have always been “to make members of the community feel listened to, cared about, connected to their tradition,” he says. Coming from a family of eighteen generations of rabbis enables him to “find deep meaning in the staggering privilege of bringing members of our people to encounters with their heritage of faith.”
Those encounters at Temple Beth Orr are as broad as they are welcoming: from the monthly Come-as-You-Are Shabbat Experience; to the Religious School’s emphasis on Confirmation as a primary goal; to contemporary alternative services for Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur. These initiatives by Rabbi Gross have created a place where so many feel like a true, meaningful part of the congregation’s extended family.
Rabbi Aviva Bass worked as our Educational Coordinator from 2009-2010. We are thrilled that she is returning as our new soloist. Rabbi Bass is a member of good standing with the CCAR, Reform Rabbinical Association. She holds the highest level teaching certification awarded from the Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree, Double Major in Judaic Studies, Magna Cum Laude from University of Miami, Master of Arts in Jewish Education from Gratz College, and this year served as the Co-Rabbi /Educator for Congregation Nevei Kodesh, etc! Rabbi Bass is a lyric soprano
Anne Maner is the Executive Director of Temple Beth Orr. Prior to becoming our Executive Director she was the Temple Administrator at Congregation Mickve Israel in Savannah, Georgia for eleven years. Anne is a Senior Member of the National Association for Temple Administration, and a graduate of the NATA Institute. For fifteen years she owned Maner’s of Newberry, Inc. in Newberry, SC, a full service bridal & formal shop, which she sold in 1998. Anne lives in Tamarac. She has two grown daughters and a son-in-law, and a two and a half year old granddaughter.
Daily classroom visits by ECC/Education Director Eileen Kaplan include much more than a quick peek in the door. Mrs. Kaplan loves to sit down and listen to the children who find her familiar, cheerful face a welcoming sight as they chat with her and give her lots of hugs.
Mrs. Kaplan’s comfort and confidence with the children and her staff come from the experience of over two decades as a director, first in New Jersey and now, since 2005, at Temple Beth Orr. She loves to delve into all things educational and is always reading the latest materials, attending workshops, and implementing new and innovative curriculum at the school.
Her educational background in speech pathology with a Master’s degree in Administration has allowed her to build a program rich in language skills and phonemic awareness. This serious side of education is complemented well by her natural ability to give warm fuzzies and feelings of self-confidence to both the children and the adults at the Kuhn ECC.
“We will do everything possible to make children feel successful in our school,” Mrs. Kaplan says, and she accomplishes this with the perfect mixture of knowledge and love.
We are pleased to have long-time friend and seasoned educator Ruth Schreiber-Greene serving as Administrator of our Rosenberg Religious School.
A veteran teacher with extensive experience, Ruth has traveled and studied in Israel; has the unique perspective on Jewish continuity that comes from being the daughter of Holocaust survivors; and has earned a formal licensure from the Orloff Central Agency for Jewish Education in recognition of her comprehensive expertise in encountering Jewish children with the meaning of Israel, prayers, current events,history, bible, and bio-ethics.
Rabbi Aviva Bass worked as our Educational Coordinator from 2009-2010. We are thrilled that she is returning as our new soloist. Rabbi Bass is a member of good standing with the CCAR, Reform Rabbinical Association. She holds the highest level teaching certification awarded from the Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree, Double Major in Judaic Studies, Magna Cum Laude from University of Miami, Master of Arts in Jewish Education from Gratz College, and this year served as the Co-Rabbi /Educator for Congregation Nevei Kodesh, etc! Rabbi Bass is a lyric soprano
