click for directions to Oak Park TempleOak Park Temple
B'nai Abraham Zion

1235 N. Harlem Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-3937
 
Professional Staff

 

Rabbi Gary S. GersonRabbi Gary S. Gerson has served the congregation since 1979. Rabbi Gerson holds advanced degrees in religion and psychology; he was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Awarded the Doctor of Ministry from the Chicago Theological Seminary, Rabbi Gerson is also certified as a family therapist by the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic. The Rabbi is the respected author of numerous essays specializing in psychology and religion as well as death and mourning. He is also the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, and has been awarded many other grants and honors. This list of credentials, however, does not capture Rabbi Gerson's warm and personal approach to meeting the needs of his congregants. In addition, Rabbi Gerson enjoys teaching adults and young people. He is an active leader in civil liberties organizations, interfaith activities, training in pastoral psychology, and many organizations in the wider Jewish community.
Cantor Julie Yugend-Green, appointed cantor of Oak Park Temple in 1997, holds a degree of Master of Sacred Music from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and was invested as Cantor in 1994. She is the recipient of a Citation for Significant Contributions to the Hebrew Union College and the Marc Alan Belfer Memorial Prize in Nusach. The Cantor has instituted dynamic programs of music and study that, in addition to creating a prayerful atmosphere, allow Oak Park Temple's congregants to enhance their Judaism through involvement in the synagogue and wider community.
Danielle Sandler has over 15 years of experience in Jewish Institutions crossing the spectrum from Orthodox to Reform.  She worked for Northwest Suburban Jewish Congregation as Executive Director, Hebrew Theological College/Anne M. Blitstein Teachers Institute as Assistant to the Dean, and Administrative Assistant for the Early Childhood Department of Hillel Torah Day School.  

She has an M.Ed from Loyola University in Administration and Supervision, B.S. from DePaul University in Political Science; A.A. from Columbia College in Paralegal Studies.

Robin Arbetman has taught children of all ages in Chicago area synagogues since 1981. She joined the Oak Park Temple Religious School staff in 1990 and immediately became one of its most beloved teachers. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Ms. Arbetman also studied at the Hebrew University and completed a year of intensive leadership training at the Institute for Youth Leaders in Israel as well as the Master Teacher Training Course for Jewish Educators. She is active in national CAJE conferences. As a curriculum writer, Ms. Arbetman has developed material for special media events, courses on contemporary Jewish identity, and an interactive online Holocaust study guide. Her vision for Jewish education is an organic one, providing students individual expression, cooperative learning, meaningful experiences, and community awareness.

Marci Sperling Flynn has been Glasser Preschool's full time director since 1998. She received her BA in psychology from Brandeis University (having also spent a semester at Tel Aviv University), received her JD from Georgetown University Law School, and completed her coursework towards the MA in early childhood education at National Louis University. After practicing law for ten years, Ms. Flynn changed careers to follow her dream of working full time with children and their families.
Sheri Gilley is a software designer by day, webmaster on nights and weekends.
   
 


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