Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock has announced that Rabbi Ye’ela Rosenfeld will head the temple’s growing youth education program.
Rosenfeld, from Eagle Rock, will manage the temple’s expanding Torah School program, which will double the amount of class time offered for students.
Senior Rabbi Alex Weisz said that Rosenfeld will also plan youth and family programs during the High Holidays and begin a post b’nai mitzvah program for teens beginning this fall.
In the past 11 months, the temple had grown 85%, with 70% of the new membership under 45 and many of those with children, Weisz noted.
“With these shifting demographics, it is imperative to ensure that our Torah School, as well as other youth programs, is of the quality that the community needs and deserves,” Weisz said.
Local philanthropist Dr. Arnold Gilberg and his family have been sponsoring the temple’s “Tot Shabbot” program and agreed to make a “very generous gift” to support improvements in the educational programs, Weisz said.
The school will be rebranded to honor Gilberg, Weisz said.
First published in the June 14 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
