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.
Luise Levy
I joined M’kor Hayim at its inception, drawn by Rabbi Helen’s capacity to enliven ancient teachings, and to foster a climate of deep caring. Cantor Emily brings not only her beautiful voice but her enthusiasm to broaden the musical component of services. The description of M’kor Hayim as “small, but mighty” attests to the strength of connections. M’kor Hayim is an especially welcoming congregation with its outreach to new members.
My background includes a career and social work and participation in, and leadership of, social action projects of congregations in Rhode Island, Scottsdale, and Tucson.
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.
Bonnie Koeppel
I moved from New York City to Tucson with my husband in 2005. I’m a retired architect and designer with a varied career from historic preservation to zoo and park design. I discovered M’kor Hayim after reading an article written by Rabbi Helen in the Arizona Daily Star newspaper. Which led to attending a social action pop-up and online services, and quickly joining the congregation. I knew it was the perfect place for me to find my Jewish self. I am very grateful that I found this welcoming community of people and clergy.
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.
