Gayle Eubanks

Gayle and her husband Gary have been members of Temple Kol Ami since 1989. They joined the Temple because of the warm and informal atmosphere. Their children, Emily and Noah were consecrated, Bat and Bar Mitzvahed and confirmed at the Temple. Noah graduated from the High School program.

Outside the Temple, Gayle is a STOTT Pilates Instructor Trainer and has worked at Equilibrium Studio in Bloomfield Hills since 1999.

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Rhonda Kotzen

I am in my first term on the Board of Trustees and the new Chair of our Membership Committee .I have been involved in Usher Corps, the Ambassador program, the CSI committee for Religious School, various social action committee events and the Nominating Committee. With each event/committee that I become involved with at TKA, I meet new members and friends, and experience the warmth and uniqueness that makes TKA a special place to belong. I look forward to TKA’s future, as we continue to emphasize the special place we are for worship, fun, friendships and our commitment to social action.

I am currently chair of our membership committee and would love to hear what works and does not work for you and ideas you have about member retention and recruitment.
I am also a member of the constitution committee.

I am a seasoned physical therapist by profession, and love working with my patients (average age of my patients is 86!) at Fox Run in Novi. I also enjoy exercising, gardening, the ocean and hanging out with my family and friends.

My husband, Jim, and I have been married 25 years. We joined Temple Kol Ami while “shopping” for a new temple when our oldest child was starting preparation for becoming a Bar Mitzvah. He has not only shared becoming a Bar Mitzvah, but also his Affirmation and TKA High School graduation with this congregation. Our son, Avery, is now a sophomore at the University of Michigan and had the opportunity to travel to Israel last year on a Taglit- Birthright program.

Our daughter, Elaine, became a Bat Mitzvah 2 years ago at TKA, and is a student in our religious high school. She is currently on the KATY board. Elaine enjoys her summers at the newest URJ camp, 6 Points Sports Academy, in Greensboro, N.C. She is a freshman at Novi High School.

Java Havdalah and Shabbat Live services are some of my favorites at TKA. I look forward to meeting you at our upcoming services and events.

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Sara Kravitz

My name is Sara Kravitz. I am married to Gary Kravitz and we have two children. We have been members of Temple Kol Ami since 2005, and our son recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Kol Ami.
TKA was a natural fit for us as Gary had his bar mitzvah at Temple Kol Ami, and I was attracted to TKA’s dedication to social action – especially their commitment to the environment.
Since joining TKA, I have served on the Social Action Committee and the Membership Committee, and have helped out with religious school and fundraising events.
Other volunteer interests include serving as site captain with my husband for Federation’s Mitzvah Day, volunteering at my children’s schools, and working at rest stops for the annual MS 150 bike ride in which my husband participates.
My professional career includes more than 15 years in corporate communications and public relations for organizations such as Georgetown Hospital, The Nature Conservancy and Blue Cross Blue Shield. I also have worked with Jewish service organizations including the Michigan Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (MI-COEJL) and the Jewish Community Center where I managed a nature education grant.
I am originally from Cleveland, and came to Michigan via Boston and Washington, D.C., although my mother is a native Detroiter.

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Irene Swerdlow-Freed

I’d rather talk about Temple than myself but in case you are curious I am married to a wonderful man, we recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and have 2 terrific adult sons. I am a clinical psychologist and Dan is a clinical and forensic psychologist and we have a private practice in Farmington Hills and live in West Bloomfield. We have been TKA members for about 14 years, long enough for our 2 sons to become bar mitzvahs and for me to learn to read Hebrew and have an adult bat mitzvah as well.

I have been active at TKA in different ways over the years and I truly hope you will find a way to become involved because there is so much TKA has to offer. Maybe start by attending services, a wonderful end to the week and as you attend you become more familiar with the services, our Temple community, and the peace of Shabbat. Or join me in the choir, really a lot of fun and a great group of people. Or join us in studying Torah Saturday mornings before services at the Chevrah Torah study sessions. I also enjoy participating in special sisterhood and social action events. If you are unsure where you want to fit in call me or speak to another TKA board member or the Rabbis. Challenge yourself, engage in your Temple, as an individual or as a family. Thank you. Shalom.

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Debra Leider-Kendler

We have been members of Temple Kol Ami for the past 14 years.
 
Our three children ( Ginette, Courtney and Max ) have all attended religious school and celebrated their bar and bat mitzvahs here.
 
This is my second term as a general board member at temple. The experience has been both educational and enlightening.
 
I grew up in Oak Park, Michigan and currently reside in Farmington Hills. I graduated from the University of Michigan- School of Dentistry and maintain a private practice in the city of Sterling Heights. General Dentistry is a profession I have always loved.
 
I enjoy watching my children grow up and mature into young adults, traveling, reading, gardening, taking walks and spending as much time by the waters edge as possible.

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David Higer

I am very excited to begin my two-year term on the Temple Kol Ami Board of Directors. My family and I have been members of TKA for 15 years. My wife, Eileen, and I are the proud parents of three boys, Geoff, Danny, and Michael.

I retired from the Livonia Public Schools after teaching there for 40 years. I have taught Religious School here at TKA for a number of years and will add Congregation Beth Ahm this year to my resume.

I look forward to representing the TKA membership on the Board. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, drop me a line at ascher2@aol.com.

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Kimberly Gilbert

My name is Kim Gilbert and I am a new General Board Member. My family and I joined Temple Kol Ami 3 years ago after moving to Michigan from Illinois. We live in Northville and have 2 children. Our son is currently in 2nd grade and attends the Religious School. We also have a 2 year old daughter who celebrated her baby naming last fall with Rabbi Roman.

When looking for a temple after moving, we came to TKA because of a longtime friend, but immediately knew we belonged. We felt welcomed into the TKA family from the start. My husband joined the TKA softball team our first year and looks forward to participating for his 4th year next summer. You can regularly see us as a family on Sunday’s cheering the team on and sometimes I even play score keeper.

I have been on the Membership committee since we joined and have been a part of planning many fun events for the Temple and their families. I am also a member of the Finance Committee, the Religious School Board, and Volunteer Recognition. In addition, I have been working with Rabbi Silverman to reach out to our other young families to encourage more involvement. I definitely believe when you put in a little bit of time and effort, you get that much more from it. As a Board Member I am definitely looking forward to becoming more involved. If you are looking to get involved please let us know. We will find a place for you that fits the best!

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