Leadership

CLERGY

Rabbi Joshua Brumbach – Senior Rabbi

Rabbi Joshua’s passion for Jewish life is often described as “infectious,” “contagious,” and “deeply inspiring.”  He speaks in congregations and conferences around the country, blogs regularly at Yinon Blog, and is a frequent contributor to several publications.

He is an accredited Jewish educator, has studied in various Jewish institutions including an Orthodox yeshiva in Europe, and is ordained by the UMJC board of rabbis. He holds a degree in Anthropology from Mt. Hood Community College, a degree in Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations and Biblical Studies from UCLA, and is a MJS Candidate in Rabbinic Writings at MJTI.

Rabbi Joshua additionally serves as President of the Union of Messianic Believers (UMB), is a member of the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council (MJRC), serves on several committees of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC), and on the Administration Committee for the International Messianic Jewish Alliance (IMJA).

He is married to Monique, a human rights attorney.

Rabbi Michael A. Kashdan

Rabbi Michael Kashdan has served in various roles within our community since 1999. Before coming to Ahavat Zion, Rabbi Kashdan served as the spiritual leader of a congregation in Orange County. He holds a BA in History from Ohio State University; a M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling from Trinity International University; a M.Ed. in Cross-Cultural Teaching from National University; and holds smikha through the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC). He additionally holds a secondary credential in Social Science from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and is a public school teacher in Orange County.  He is married to Beth and has a son attending the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Cantor N. Vetter

Cantor Vetter has served our congregation as cantor for over 24 years, and has been a member for over 26. He is a former Theater Arts Major and has worked in Theater, film, radio and commercials. He previously trained and sang in opera on both coasts and in the midwest. He began attending Ahavat Zion nearly 28 years ago when it was still located in the San Fernando Valley in a storefront by the railroad tracks on Reseda Blvd.

It is his hope that the next generation of cantors will continue to grow in commitment to our rich tradition of worship even as we make room for alternative enrichment, participation and expression in this aspect of our community life. He invites you to join with us each week as we retell the story of our people from creation, to the giving of the Torah, the coming of Mashiach and G-d’s promises to His People to restore Israel for a glorious future.

Rabbi Stuart Dauermann, PhD – Rabbi Emeritus 

Rabbi Stuart Dauermann is a teacher, mentor, radio talk show host, denizen of Los Angeles, and a visionary with a long career in Messianic Jewish activism. You can hear Rabbi Dauermann as he hosts Shalom Talk, a weekly radio show, and even listen online at ShalomTalk.com. Rabbi Dauermann spends time traveling nationally and internationally, and throughout the year is in Israel as a Scholar in Residence at the MJTI Jerusalem Center. He has plenty to say about Jewish-Christian relations, the need for shalom in the world, and the agenda of Messiah, the Son of David.

Dr. Dauermann served as the spiritual leader of Ahavat Zion Synagogue for over twenty years, beginning in 1991. With Rabbi Dauermann’s ever increasing involvement within the Messianic Jewish movement around the world, in July of 2011 he stepped aside as the congregation’s spiritual leader to teach, write, and travel full-time.

He is the author of numerous articles and several books, is a member of the Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council, holds a MA and PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a MMusEd from Manhattan School of Music.

To read Dr. Dauermann’s blog, The Messianic Agenda, click HERE.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Ellen Goldsmith – President

Rivka Chandra

Jon Cline

Steve Goldsmith

Harland Green

Andy Margolis