Staff

Rabbi Linder Rabbi John Linder (rabbilinder@templesolel.org) comes to the Valley from Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim (BJBE) in Glenview, Illinois. Through his work, BJBE was honored by the Union for Reform Judaism with the prestigious Irwin J. Fain Award for excellence in social justice. Rabbi Linder was ordained at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 2003. He had earned his Master's of Hebrew Letters from the Institute the previous year. A 1980 graduate of Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, Rabbi Linder became a rabbi at age 46 after earlier career successes as a labor organizer and, later, in his family's scrap-metal recycling business in Buffalo, New York.
   
  Rabbi Emeritus Maynard W. Bell served as Solel's rabbi for 25 years. Rabbi Bell received his ordination from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in 1974. Under his leadership, our congregation grew exponentially over the years. Rabbi Bell has a long history of involvement in the Jewish, inter-religious and civic communities of Greater Phoenix. The Israel Bonds Organization honored Rabbi Bell with its "City of Peace Award" for his efforts on behalf of Soviet Jews.
   
Todd Herzog Todd Herzog (therzog@templesolel.org) came to Temple Solel as our Cantorial Soloist in January 2008, following an amazing education and earlier music career. He earned a double Bachelor's degree in philosophy from Tufts University and in music from the New England Conservatory of Music, where his focus was on Jazz Voice. He'd played violin in a community orchestra and sung in a rock band while still in high school, and went on to sing with the renowned Tufts a cappella group, the Beelzebubs. Eventually Todd added songwriting to an already impressive resume, and as a result of working with children in the Jewish community setting and exploring life and spirituality as a result of both that and involvement in worship services, his first album, Proverbs, was produced, and not long after, his second, Bridging the Gap. Bridging the Gap was Todd's complete venture into purely "Jewish" music, and it was met with both critical and public acclaim and won Best Jewish Album of 2009 in the Just Plain Folks Music Awards. That was followed by the equally-successful album Everyday Blessings. Todd's limitless talent encompasses a soaring and versatile singing voice, and fluency on acoustic, electric and bass guitars; piano, violin and saxophone. He still enjoys working with children and in addition to his regular duties at Solel, which include "doing music" with our Preschool and Religious School students, Todd travels the country doing concerts, services, and Artist-in-Residence weekends. Todd's wife Karen is his manager and publicist; they live happily in Phoenix with a menagerie of pets.
   
David Lamden David Lamden (dlamden@templesolel.org) was named Executive Director in 2007, having relocated from Columbus, Ohio, where he served two Reform congregations as Program Director, Director of Education, Technology Coordinator and Family Life Educator, for over 14 years. David grew up in Tucson in a Reform congregation with which, while in Junior High School and High School, he visited Temple Solel on many occasions. He has extensive Jewish camping experience in both Arizona and California, having held faculty positions and song-leading responsibilities. David earned a Bachelor's degree in Judaic Studies from the University of Arizona. In his role as Executive Director, he facilitates the recruitment of new members and develops opportunities for all members to be involved in congregational life. David is also responsible for ensuring that Temple Solel operates in a fiscally responsible manner.
   
Tricia Ginis Tricia Ginis (tginis@templesolel.org) is the Director of Education, overseeing both The Solel Preschool and Temple Solel's Raker Religious School. She brings with her over 16 years' experience as an educator of young children. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from Arizona State University (ASU) and went on to earn her Teacher's Certification in Early Childhood Education from ASU as well. Phoenix has been Tricia's home since she was a young girl. She feels a great connection with the Jewish community here as she has worked at various Jewish preschools, day schools, and religious schools throughout the Valley. She also served as Early Childhood Educator at Temple Solel from 2005. She considers it a pleasure to be able to provide a strong Jewish identity for young children. Tricia and her husband Rob have two wonderful children who keep their lives fulfilled!
   
Adina Zarchan (azarchan@templesolel.org) has been with Temple Solel since 2006 and currently serves as Program Director, bringing with her 20 years of experience in the Jewish communal services field. Dedicated to a career which allows her to combine her passion for Israel with her love of the Jewish community, Adina's previous experience included serving as Missions Manager and National Young Leadership Director for United Jewish Communities in New York City, and working in Israel within the international conference industry. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Art History from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Adina is thrilled to be a part of the Temple Solel family and looks forward to continuing to serve its members by bringing both enriching and educational programming to the community.
   
Mary Ann Bloom (mabloom@templesolel.org), our Preschool Assistant Director, is the "cool Aunt" to the young moms and dads who entrust their children to our care each day. She knows what's happening in your life, keeps you informed about all of the wonderful activities at the preschool and will invariably have a warm and memorable story to tell you about your child. Most of all, Mary Ann makes you feel happy and thrilled to be part of the Temple Solel preschool community.
   
Jelena Santiago (jsantiago@templesolel.org), Executive Assistant, joined the Temple Solel office staff in 2008. She maintains the Rabbi's calendar including scheduling b'nai mitzvah appointments for families in preparation for this momentous event. Along with providing administrative support to Rabbi Linder, she also creates the weekly Shabbat bulletin, monthly Pathfinder newsletter and any other print projects that come her way. If you detect a Chicago accent, you're not imagining things. Jelena, husband Miguel and children Nik and Milena, relocated to the Valley of the Sun in 2004 and do not miss the cold weather one bit. Make sure you stop by next time you visit the temple office and say "Hi" to Jelena.
   
Nicki Federman (nfederman@templesolel.org) has worked in Temple Solel's accounting department since 2006. She has an accounting degree and over 20 years of experience in various accounting functions. She came to Temple Solel originally as a preschool parent, but quickly became involved in the preschool and temple activities, and enjoyed it so much that she decided to come on board as a part-time employee. She is responsible for all member billing, accounts payable, payroll, and many other projects that get thrown her way from time to time. Nicki, her husband Mark, and two children Emma and Ari are proud to be active members of the Temple Solel community.
   
Edie Bradt (ebradt@templesolel.org), is the first smiling face that greets you when entering the Temple Solel office. She has been with us since 2001 and has enjoyed making a personal connection with so many of our congregants over the years. In addition to answering the phones, processing the mail and generally managing the office, Edie is the office liaison to the Caring Committee. She maintains a general sense of temple members' life cycle events including yahrzeits and simcha-related celebrations. In her free time, Edie enjoys hiking, working out, spending time with friends and visiting her daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Matt and grandsons, Collin and Ryan. Edie loves having the Temple Solel community as her extended family and looks forward to sharing the years ahead.
   
Deborah Sarna (dsarna@templesolel.org) joined the Temple Solel staff in July of 2010, bringing with her 25 years in the field of Jewish and secular elementary education. As Assistant to Director of Education Tricia Ginis, Deborah collaborates in the planning and implementation of religious school, preschool and family education programming. In addition, she serves as the Youth Coordinator for Temple Solel's youth group programming and oversees the Temple Solel Teaching Assistants Team for the Raker Religious school. Deborah and her husband, Mark, and their sons, Michael and Daniel, joined Temple Solel in 2009. When she is not at Temple Solel, Deborah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working out and keeping in touch with friends across the country.