Clergy and Spiritual Leadership
Rabbi Matthew J. Zerwekh
Rabbi Matt Zerwekh is proud to return to Temple Emanu-El to lead the congregation he credits with forming his earliest Jewish identity. Rabbi Zerwekh earned his BA Cum Laude in Political Science at Western Michigan University, before his matriculation to Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion. It was at HUC-JIR in Cincinnati where Rabbi Zerwekh earned his Masters in Hebrew Letters in 2013 in Cincinnati and was ordained in 2014. During his time at HUC, Rabbi Zerwekh devoted his thesis research to end-of-life and hospice care and, while at HUC, created a mobile resource Jewish Resource for families going through the hospice process. While in school Rabbi Zerwekh was recognized with awards for his work with Jewish youth as well as in outreach on behalf of HUC-JIR Cincinnati.
Before coming to Temple Emanu-El, Rabbi Zerwekh led Temple B’nai Israel in Kalamazoo. During his tenure in Kalamazoo Rabbi Zerwekh taught as adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University and served as an executive board member of ISAAC, the largest interfaith organizing group in the region. During his time in Kalamazoo, Rabbi Zerwekh distinguished himself in the community as a voice for positive change and cooperation in the faith community. Rabbi’s work was recognized by the Kalamazoo City Commission with an appointment to represent the faith community on the board of directors of the Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence, a multi-billion dollar endowment supporting the Kalamazoo community.
As Temple Emanu-El’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Zerwekh works to help connect the values that make Temple Emanu-El such a special place, to Judaism and to the world around it. It is in this work that Rabbi Zerwekh is most passionate: he continuously strives to make connections, to find common ground between people, communities, and communities of faith- he understands that a community is only strengthened through relationship and dialogue with our neighbors.
Rabbi Zerwekh serves on the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbi’s) Ethics Process Review Committee, and has been invited to deliver opening invocations for such bodies as the Michigan State House, Michigan State Senate, Berkely City Council and twice has delivered the opening invocation for the NAACP Freedom Fund dinner, the largest such dinner in the nation. Rabbi Zerwekh has been recognized as one of the 36 Under 36 by the Detroit Jewish News and has been featured on WDET radio.
Rabbi Joseph P. Klein
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Joe Klein served as Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El from 1997 to 2013. He was born and grew up in Toledo, OH and graduated from Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH) in 1969. He majored in Sociology and Anthropology; was ordained from the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion with a Master of Hebrew Letters in 1975; and then served as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Israel in St. Louis MO for three years. Before coming to Temple Emanu-El in 1997, Joe Klein was Rabbi of United Hebrew Congregation in Terre Haute, IN and Mizpah Congregation in Chattanooga, TN. While in Indiana and Tennessee, Rabbi Klein was adjunct faculty in Humanities at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, as well as Indiana State University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He taught courses on Genesis, Hebrew Scripture, First Century History, and the New Testament. For ten years he coached the Rose-Hulman Fencing Club. Rabbi Klein and his wife Barbara have two children: Ellie is married and living in Boston with their three grandchildren, and Adam is married and living in Atlanta with their two grandchildren. Rabbi Klein currently teaches in the Jewish Federation’s FedEd Adult Education program and is Adjunct Professor at both Oakland University and Rochester College
Cantor Rosalie Toubes
Cantor Rosalie Toubes attended Hebrew Union College in New York City where she was ordained and received a Master of Sacred Music. Her thesis was entitled "The Music of Women's Seders in the United States, 1970-present"
Cantor Toubes also holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!); and an M.A. in Psychology and M.M. in Vocal Performance from Washington University in St. Louis. She has served congregations in Missouri, Virginia, and most recently Massachusetts- before relocating to Michigan to proudly join Temple Emanu-El.
She served on the board of the Reiligous Action Committee, the Social Justice arm of the Union of Reform Judaism, representing the American Conference of Cantors, of which she is a member. In addition, she co-wrote a resolution for the American Conference of Cantors on LGBTQ+ rights within the organization, which was adopted.
After earning music licensure in 2019, she began teaching general music in schools. Cantor Toubes has also enjoyed working with children in both choirs and musical theater. She believes that Jewish education is the key to each child finding their unique connection to Judaism; and music helps build that connection.
Musical Theatre has always been a part of Cantor Toubes' life. She has performed in serveral musicals, including The Music Man, Oklahoma!, The King and I, Sweeney Todd, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Good News, and Bye Bye Birdie. She has also been an assistant music director for Annie and Children of Eden.
Cantor Toubes' two children are enjoying life in college, one in Political Science (or Economics, or Meteorology) and one in Musical Theatre with a dance major. She enjoys attending live theatre and concerts and is especially fond of kayaking.
Education and Staff
Gail Greenberg, RJE
Yachad Religious School Director & Educator
Gail Greenberg, RJE, is excited to be the Director of Yachad, where she helps bring students, teachers, families and Judaism together. Her belief that the student’s voice matters is a key focus when planning curriculum and programs. She has been working in the field of Jewish Family Education and Religious School Education for over two decades.
Gail’s roles in Jewish education have included leading local religious schools (Temple Kol Ami, Congregation Beth Ahm, Congregation Shir Tikvah) and comunity initiatives (Director of PJ Library Detroit, a member of the JFamily team, and Assistant Director of FedEd and Melton).tan Detroit.
Gail received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy from Wayne State University and worked in the geriatrics field for many years before moving into the educational world. She earned her Master’s Degree in Jewish Educational Leadership from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and has been granted the title of Reform Jewish Educator (RJE). As a lifelong learner, she has continued her education at MTEI, Spertus, and Pardes.
Gail is proud to serve as the current president of the Metro Detroit Board of Educators as well as a Shomer Collective Fellow.
Viktoriya Frasinich
Interim Director of the Early Childhood Community
Lorelei Berg
Executive Director
Lorelei joined the Temple Emanu-El team just before the High Holidays in 2023. With over a decade of experience as a synagogue Executive Director, she is thrilled to be a part of the Temple Emanu-El community.
After having spent countless years at Temple Emanu-El as a proud ECC parent, with all four of her children joyfully learning and growing from the baby room through Pre-K at Temple, she is honored to serve the community now as Executive Director.
Lorelei previously served as the Executive Director to Congregation Shir Tikvah for over 12 years. Prior to landing in Jewish communal work, she started her career in the automotive industry and spent almost a decade with Chrysler, holding roles in various departments such as International Marketing, Field Operations and more.
Lorelei has a MBA from Wayne State University and a BA in Marketing from Michigan State University.
Temple Leadership
President
David Hart
Vice-Presidents
Kim Conwell-Leigh
Steven Permut
Leah Rosenbaum
Erica Salomon
Treasurer
Dan Medow
Secretary
Sarah Cherluck
Immediate Past President
David Gubow
Board of Trustees
Amy Greenspan
Ashley Stone
Jackie Bean
Kate Bush
Linda Kayes
Marrin Itenberg
Robert Kahn
Robert Levitt
Sandra Goldberg
Scott Cooper
Stacy Conwell-Leigh
Sue Stettner
Temple Arms
Brotherhood President
Rabbi Joe Klein
Sisterhood President
Jessica Blake