Dear Friends,
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 4, following morning minyan at 9:00 am.
Please plan to attend this important meeting to vote for the Beth El members chosen for the slate to serve on the Board of Directors. In addition, a light breakfast will be served.
The Nominating Committee carefully considered the needs of the Congregation at this important time in their outreach to members willing to serve on the Board of Directors. They looked for people who love Beth El and want to help it grow. Board members must be ambassadors within Beth El and to the greater community. The Committee also sought candidates from a broad range of constituencies within the congregation to be sure that the Board reflects the vision and aspirations of the membership.
After careful consideration, this slate of nominees is presented to the membership for approval with the full support of the Board of Directors.
Lauren Eisenstein Joshua Katz Anna Miller Brad Ostrow*
Gail Offenhartz Daniel Witenstein*
*Current Board Members with terms up for renewal this year.
A petition of at least 20 members in good standing may offer additional nominations. Such petitions must be made prior to the annual Board of Directors election and in accordance with the other provisions of the by-laws (which are available in the office).
Biographies of the above candidates are included below. We encourage you to attend the meeting and to place your vote.
Sincerely,
Bill Tuttle,
Nominating Chair and President
Beth El Board of Directors
Official Ballot
Biographies
Lauren Eisenstein
Lauren was born and raised in Kingston, Rhode Island. Although she grew up in a very small Jewish community, Lauren's parents made sure the family was extremely active in Jewish life. Lauren's first taste of Israel occurred as a junior in high school when she attended Alexander Muss High School in Israel. She fell in love with Eretz Yisrael, and upon completing her junior year, she stayed in Israel to travel and experience Israeli life. Upon graduating from high school, Lauren returned to Israel, where she lived on Kibbutz Maagan Michael, completed an ulpan, and spent her days living as a happy kibbutznik. Eventually, Lauren returned to the U.S. and graduated from the University of Arizona. She then moved to Phoenix for a year to study for the bar exam. During that time, Lauren worked at Beth El in the youth group department and also worked at several other local shuls. Lauren then moved to San Diego to attend law school, where she met her amazing husband, Josh. Lauren quickly found out that Josh was raised in Phoenix and grew up at Beth El where he had his bar mitzvah and where his parents were married! Talk about Jewish geography! After graduating from law school, Lauren and Josh eventually moved back to Phoenix where both of their parents reside. They are raising two amazing kids who attended preschool at Beth El and who now attend religious school at Beth El. The kids love living close to their Bobba and Zeida and Saba and Savta, and Lauren and Josh are so grateful to be able to raise their kids in a welcoming Jewish community close to their grandparents.
Joshua Katz
I moved to Phoenix in 2019, in immediate need of a daily egalitarian minyan. An internet search yielded Beth El, which, while not close to my Paradise Valley home, required only two turns: a left onto Lincoln, and a right into the parking lot. So after dropping off my luggage, getting my cat settled, and buying a car (my signature Miata), off to Beth El I went for Mincha! During the Covid pandemic I left Phoenix for employment reasons and returned in 2024. I am happy to serve on the ritual committee, to read Torah, and Haftorah. In addition, I have joined others in programming events involving law, democracy, and social justice. Outside of Beth El, I am a lawyer, having graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2019. Before law school, I taught high school and college. After graduation, I served as a clerk to three judges. I am now employed with the Solicitor General of Arizona. I look forward to serving on the Board of Directors and helping to secure our future.
Anna Miller
My name is Anna and I am a wife to my wonderful husband Lonny and mom to our two kids, Maddox and Raya. Maddox is excited to embark on his educational journey at Beth El Hebrew School, alongside his younger sister, Raya, who is just five years old. I believe in the importance of instilling Jewish values and morals in our children, guiding them to embrace their heritage and develop a strong sense of identity. I have a degree in Education, and from 2008 to 2015, I served as a lead teacher at Beth El Preschool in both the Infant and Toddler classrooms before starting a family and focusing on our two kids! I look forward to the opportunity to deepen my involvement with Beth El and help create a welcoming environment for families to grow in their faith and community.
Gail Offenhartz
Gail Offenhartz was born and raised in Michigan. She has a Masters in Education with Endorsements in Reading, Early Childhood Education and Structured English Immersion. Gail moved to Phoenix with her husband Marc of 40 years, where they were members of Beth El and sent their children to Beth El Preschool and the Solomon Schechter Day School. The family relocated to Tucson and raised their family until returning to Phoenix after the pandemic in 2021. Gail is a lifelong educator who has worked in the Arizona Public School System for 35 years. During that time, she had many teaching roles including teaching Kindergarten, first grade, K- 6 Title 1 Reading Specialist, Reading Coach, and teacher trainer. Gail was thrilled at the chance to return to Beth El Hebrew School and is looking forward to another great year with her students. Gail believes that Jewish education should be warm, fun, and inspirational. She has developed lessons that explore the holidays, bible stories, and the customs and traditions that make practicing Judaism such a meaningful experience. When not teaching, Gail runs “Grammy Camp” for her grandsons Julian and Gabriel. She loves singing, yoga, gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family. Gail is excited for another great year at Beth El and is excited to sit on the board.
Brad Ostrow*
I was born and raised in Phoenix, and I grew up in Paradise Valley area. I graduated from Saguaro High School and then went on to attend Arizona State University’s Hugh Downs School of Human Communication where I received my bachelor's degree in business communications. Growing up, I attended Beth El’s preschool, and my wife and I are both extremely happy to have our son currently attending Beth El Early Childhood Center as well. I have been the corporate manager for the Improv, Stand Up Live, and Copper Blues Live Comedy Clubs in Arizona and Florida for ten years. I take extreme pride in my job and extreme pleasure that my job includes bringing laughter to everyone who attends our venues. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and have a passion for music, technology, and a special love for all animals. I am very much looking forward to meeting more members, serving the Beth El community, and helping in any capacity that I can.
Daniel Witenstein*
I have been a local business owner for over 30 years and a Beth El member for 24 years. My wife Julie and I have raised our three kids as part of the Beth El community starting in the Beth El Preschool, kindergarten, Talmud Torah, and Youth Lounge. My Beth El Havurah friends have been a strong support in my life as an extended family. I care deeply about the future of Beth El and I am happy to serve again as a board member.