Board of Directors
(to contact a Board member, write to CongregationMkorHayim@gmail.com)
Carol Weinstein - President Emerita
I spent most of my professional life teaching about classroom management at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. After retiring to Tucson, my husband and I went “shul shopping,” and M’Kor Hayim seemed like the perfect fit—a small congregation of adults with a rabbi who was knowledgeable but not arrogant, no building (so no building fund), and opportunities for learning and social action. I became a bat mitzvah when I turned 70—finally a Jewish adult!
Jodi Bernstein - President
My husband and I joined M’Kor Hayim shortly after moving to Tucson in 2016. At that time I was very impressed by the rabbi, the members I talked to when I first attended High Holiday services in 2016, and its size. But having been a member for about six years, I have come to especially value its commitment to social action, racial justice, adult educational programs, and the less traditional Shabbat Together services with music, poems, and other readings. I have been a lawyer for almost 40 years, most recently with an emphasis on Estate Planning and Elder Law.
Kate Bria
Thanks to Zoom I began attending Shabbat Services during Covid. Attending Services on Friday night was a blessing, and continues to be a central part of my Jewish practice. My participation in M’Kor Hayim has evolved over the years. I became a Bat Mitzvah a couple of years ago. My experience deepened my Jewish connection to our community and Judaism. I attend Torah Talk on Shabbat morning. I have developed relationships with members of the community through Mussar. M’Kor Hayim is an important part of my life. I am grateful to be part of this community.
Marcia Klipsch
I am from Madison, Wisconsin where I owned and operated two retail stores and raised my family. After I sold my business, my husband and I spent more and more time in Tucson. When we finally moved here in 2008, I went on a quest to find a congregation that was diverse, welcoming, and available to me during my life’s journey. M’kor Hayim and Rabbi Helen were a perfect match. After serving on the Racial Justice Task Force Steering Committee I am grateful to be a MH Board member, and I feel very connected to the MH family.
Bob Chasan
Bob has been a member of the Congregation for more than 10 years. He was the Lay Leader for services aboard the U.S.S. Midway while in the U. S. Navy. His major career, selling ads in the Yellow Pages, took him to Sierra Vista and away from a Jewish community. When he returned to Tucson he searched and found M’kor Hayim with the help of the U. of A Hillel center. He continued his career starting a specialty magazine for the residents of Ventana Canyon. He has been active in many M’kor Hayim committees and helped organize onegs, Seder dinners, and HHD break fasts.
Nancy Lefkowitz - Secretary
Judy Reisman - Vice President
I was an occupational therapy clinician and then professor in Minnesota. I now chair the Social Action committee at M’kor Hayim. The welcoming, generous, active members and the thoughtful, supportive (and humorous) rabbi made MH feel like the right fit as my wife and I settled in Tucson. Social action, Mussar study, and the chance to practice our rabbi’s life-enhancing hints has made my Judaism grow.
Judith Weiser - Treasurer
Jane Levin
After volunteering and living in Catalina State Park for 6 winters, my wife and I moved here from Minneapolis. After an extensive search, we found a home at M’kor Hayim. It has been a perfect fit for us. I’ve had the opportunity to play back-up guitar for synagogue singers and have also chaired the Racial Justice Task Force. I appreciate the intimacy of a small congregation and the opportunities to create as well as become involved in a variety of projects. I am pleased to be serving on the Board.