|
TEMPLE BETH OHR La Mirada, California |
|
Rabbi mark B. goldfarb |
|
Rabbi Mark Goldfarb brings with him a contagious enthusiasm, sense of humor, and a passion for teaching about Judaism. During his twenty-two years in the Rabbinate, Rabbi 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, life-long 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 and 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. |
|
Cantorial soloist kyle cotler |
|
Hello Temple Beth Ohr! My name is Kyle Cotler, and I am a 3rd generation Cantor. My grandfather, the late Cantor Ted, began his career in Ventura. My father, Cantor Doug, currently is a Cantor in Calabasas. And now I am happily beginning my career in La Mirada. So I guess the Cotlers keep moving south down the California coast.
My immersion in Jewish music began at a very young age. As I would lay in bed, I would stay up late listening to my Father practice and compose. My spirituality grew as I attended Kadima Hebrew Academy and went to a myriad Jewish camps including JCA Shalom, URJ Swig, and Newman. Eventually I graduated to Head Songleader at Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu in 2008 and URJ Kalsman in 2009.
I made my debut on the national Jewish stage with two original pieces at CAJE, a Jewish Educators convention in Vermont and then in Toronto at the URJ Biennial this last year. Most recently I have built up my chops as a Songleader, Cantorial Soloist, and Religious School Teacher at two synagogues in the Woodland Hills area.
I received a B.A. in Music Theory and Composition from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Outside of music I am a film junkie and avid basketball fan! My newest interest is green thumbing. But the true love of my life is a 5 year old (hyperactive, but terribly cute) Golden Retriever named Molly. I am really excited to join you in study, worship and prayer. Please don't be shy, I love a good conversation! |
|
RABBI EMERITUS LAWRENCE GOLDMARK |
|
Rabbi 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, the 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. |
|
Dr. ray urwin, ACCOMPanist |
|
Ray Urwin, our new Accompanist, comes to us after two years at Temple Judea in Laguna Woods. He has also been Organist at Temple Isaiah Reform Congregation in Stony Brook, NY, and has played at temples in Westminster, Santa Monica, San Pedro, and Hollywood. Since 1989 he has also been Director of Music at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates. Ray is a composer and arranger as well as performer, with published choral and organ pieces, and hymn tunes in the Episcopal, Lutheran, and other hymnals in the U. S. and Japan. He is also an editor/arranger of published music by Handel and Copland, and arranged Ahavat olam, Bar’chu, Bashana, and selected High Holy Days music while at Temple Judea. He has also been a reviewer for various church and music journals, and a faculty member at church music conferences. As a performer, Ray was one of the organists for the Bach Marathon (complete organ works of Bach) here in Los Angeles in 2005, and for the complete organ music of Mendelssohn in 2006. He has also performed on the Long Beach Bach Festival, and has been a frequent performer at the weekly midday organ concerts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles. Ray attended Oberlin College, SUNY Stony Brook, and Yale University, receiving a Doctor of Music degree. |
