MEET OUR STAFF | CLERGY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ALAN YOST has headed the Synagogue's Administrative Department since 1981. As Executive Director, he brings both sensitivity and firm direction to his role. With a Master's Degree in Social Work, Alan's door is always open to answer questions and lend support and guidance to prospective families, to lay leaders, and to congregants of all ages. In addition, he has assumed many leadership positions within the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, the Jewish Community Center, and other local Jewish and community agencies and boards.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND YOUTH

ELISSA BERG became Director of Education in July 1998, having served in that capacity for nine years at Temple Kol Ami. A member of Congregation Beth Shalom, she taught there for 16 years and supervised Junior Congregation. She also spent three years as Jewish programmer at Camp Tamarack. Informal education, family programming, camping, dramatics, and a passion for Hebrew are all areas in which Elissa adds special strengths to Adat Shalom's educational offerings. She holds a secondary teaching degree from U-M and a Masters Degree from the Spertus Institute, where she is currently a Doctoral student. Elissa is a member of Women's League and Kolot B'kdusha. She is a past president of the Michigan Board of Jewish Educators.

DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

JULIE EISMAN holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Michigan in Judaic Studies and Elementary Education with a specialty in Early Childhood Education. She brings a passion and enthusiasm for Early Childhood Education and much experience in administration from her time at Temple Israel. She is a Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative (JECEI) fellow and is pursuing a masters degree in Early Childhood Education.

FAMILY EDUCATOR & DIRECTOR OF SYNERGY SHABBAT

DEBI BANOONI brings a highly professional background, a wealth of talent, experience, ideas and enthusiasm to her new position. A graduate of MSU, Debi has a degree in Family Community Service with a thematic in Jewish Studies. Most recently she was the Jewish Family Educator at Temple Shir Shalom and did family education programming for Congregation Beth Shalom and at Adat Shalom. Previously she worked with children in foster care at the Judson Center, served as the Regional Director for Young Judea, and worked with college students and recent graduates at JVS. She has three children, Madison, Jacob and Natalie.

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

JUDY MARX has created and coordinated the Synagogue's communications projects since 1987. As Communications Director, she works closely with Clergy, staff and lay persons to prepare publicity and tell congregants about the many programs Adat Shalom offers. Under her broad communications "umbrella" fall projects ranging from editing the congregation's bulletin, to preparing flyers and invitations, to taking and displaying photos of synagogue happenings, to creating and maintaining this website. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in journalism, Judy has done public information work for the U-M Medical Center. She is active in a number of Detroit-area Jewish organizations.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & YOUTH

JODI GROSS joined our staff in August, 2006, as Assistant Director of Education & Youth. Jodi came to us from Abington, Pennsylvania, where she was the Youth & Temple Programming Director at Old York Road Temple - Beth Am. A graduate of the James Madison Program at Michigan State University, Jodi went on to earn a double masters degree in Jewish Education and in Jewish Communal Service from Graetz College. Jodi is a dynamic professional, who has had experience creating and implementing educational programs and has worked very successfully with youth, professionals, and lay leaders. From 1997 to 1999, she worked as a Staff Associate at the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit before moving to Pennsylvania.

RITUAL DIRECTOR AND COORDINATOR OF BAR/BAT MITZVAH INSTRUCTION

BARRY LIPPITT has served as Adat Shalom’s Ritual Director and Coordinator of Bar/Bat Mitzvah Instruction since 2006. He grew up at Congregation Beth Achim and was Director of Beth Achim’s Junior Congregation from 1979 to 1986. Following the merger between Adat Shalom and Beth Achim, he read Torah for the congregation, was an instructor in the Men’s Club Adult Hebrew Literacy Program, and taught Bar/Bat Mitzvah students. As Ritual Director, he began an annual class for adult Torah readers.  Barry received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1978 and his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State in 1981. He continues his private law practice and is active on the National Board of Tau Epsilon Rho Law Society. Barry also plays and teaches duplicate bridge, having won a secondary National Title, and holds the rank of Gold Life Master.

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