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Email
(913) 663-3047
Dayna Gershon
Director of Youth Education
Dayna originally joined our staff as the Director of Machane Jehudah. She has a wealth of experience, especially in informal Jewish youth education. Her work with Machane Jehudah has been remarkable, bringing the program from the idea-stage to fruition. Her creativity, sensitivity, and understanding of Jewish informal learning has made her a valuable part of our congregational community. Dayna is married to Danny Gershon and has two children Max and Drew.
Abby Magariel
Michael Klein Collection Educator/Curator
Abby Magariel is a Kansas City area native and has worked in informal, hands-on education since 2007. She graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA before completing an MA in Museum Studies at the University of Kansas. Abby spent over ten years immersed in all things Kansas, first at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, then leading the education team at the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. She joined The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in July 2019 as the first Educator/Curator of the Michael Klein Collection, where she weaves objects from the collection of Judaica into life and learning at the synagogue. Abby lives in Prairie Village with her husband David and two sons, Ari and Ezra.
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Email
(913) 663-2085
Jane Blumenthal Martin
Director of Communications, Marketing, and Development
Jane Blumenthal Martin is an experienced marketing director who has worked in Kansas City’s Jewish non-profit community for more than 15 years. Her strengths are strategic communications, digital marketing, writing, and planning. She is excited to be able to strengthen B’nai Jehudah through enhanced communications that keep members informed and engaged in congregational life, and through philanthropic development that will support a vibrant and thriving B’nai Jehudah community. An active member of Kansas City’s Jewish community, Jane is a lifelong member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.
Laura Payne
Interim Music Director
Laura Payne graduated from the University of Kansas with a fine arts degree in Opera and Musical Theatre, and has been singing professionally for more than 25 years. She has had the incredible opportunity to regularly sing and pray with every age group and enjoys creating meaningful and connected experiences for all. Laura began teaching early childhood music at B’nai Jehudah 10 years ago, which expanded to leading early childhood music for much of the Kansas City Jewish community.
During the last 10 years, Laura has also spent many years as the music specialist for B’nai Jehudah’s Religious School and Machane Jehudah summer camp. She enjoys singing for Shabbat services, High Holy Day services, and other holiday and life cycle events. Laura is excited to help grow the musical experience at B’nai Jehudah and support our amazing Jewish community. She lives in Prairie Village with her husband Elliot, and daughters Lily and Stella.
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Email
(913) 378-1262
Shelley Sautter
Office Manager
Shelley Sautter comes to B’nai Jehudah with more than 20 years of experience in the corporate world. She will be focusing on managing the day-to-day process and procedures within the organization. Shelley is excited to be here and is looking forward to meeting B’nai Jehudah Congregants.
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Email
(913) 378-1267
Emily Williams
Multi Access Coordinator
Emily Williams is a long-time member of Congregation B’nai Jehudah. Growing up in Kansas City, she was active in NFTY, and is honored to serve the congregation as Multi Access Coordinator. In her role, Emily provides significant technical support to ensure members can access B’nai Jehudah events and services virtually. She also oversees B’nai Jehudah’s Camp Machane Jehudah, and NFTY program, PBnJ. Emily graduated from the University of Kansas with a Master’s degree in Curriculum Design and Instructional Strategies, with an emphasis on secondary education. She has been a camp director, religious school teacher, and religious school director in the Kansas City area and elsewhere.
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Email
(913) 378-1204
Kelley Cowman
Membership and Education Coordinator
As our Engagement and Events Coordinator, Kelley oversees the membership process and is excited to welcome new members and guide them through the membership process. She uses her exceptional organizational skills to help with congregation-wide events and the many logistics involved with Yalla. Be sure say hello to Kelley when you see her around the building on Sunday mornings!
Kelley has been a part of Kansas City’s Jewish community since 1991. She was extremely active in Jewish youth organizations and Jewish leadership initiatives during her youth and is excited to be a part of those types of initiatives for the congregation. Kelley graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Communication Studies and an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. Her passion for Judaism and the impact programming can make on young Jewish lives is her drive for success. Kelley resides in Overland Park, KS with her two children; Gracie and Jack.
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Email
(913) 384-4661
Sue Schneweis
Accountant
Sue Schneweis has lived in Kansas City for three years, previously residing in Iowa and Colorado. She graduated from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA with a double major in Economics/Business and Psychology and then two years later from The University of Northern with a BA in Accounting. After moving to Colorado, she completed her MBA at The University of Colorado. Sue is also a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant. She has worked in the accounting field for almost 30 years, holding positions such as Staff Accountant, Financial Analyst and Financial Controller. She currently resides Lenexa with her two dogs, Hank and Teddy, and at times, her recent KU graduate daughter!
Michelle Adler-Wexler
Bet Mitzvah Coordinator
As a third-generation congregant who grew up at B’nai Jehudah, Michelle Adler-Wexler is excited to be our B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator. Michelle’s grandfather was the Executive Director of B’nai Jehudah for many years and wrote a history book about the Temple. Her step-mother, Jeannie Adler, also served as Executive Director until her retirement in 2019. Michelle enjoys working with all of our families in the process of becoming a B’nai Mitzvah. Having been through the B’nai Mitzvah process a few years ago with her own child, her goal is to be there for families to assist them during this special time.
Ellie Holsten
Michael Klein Collection Assistant Curator
Ellie works with all aspects of the Michael Klein Collection, from caring for the collection objects in storage to coming up with new temporary exhibits. She also manages new additions to the collection database and creates entertaining and informative content for the collection’s Smartify and social media accounts. Ellie is a recent graduate of the Museum Studies masters program at KU.
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Email
(913) 981-8876
Becca Browar
Site Director of B’nai Jehudah CDC/Sasone Inclusion Specialist
Becca grew up in the Kansas City area and started her early childhood career with The J more than 15 years ago as a Barney Goodman camp counselor. She received her bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science with a focus in Early Childhood Education and Intervention from KU in 2013. After graduating, she spent 6 years providing one-to-one therapy to children with autism. She then spent time working in an administrative role, guiding families through the journey of accessing and starting services for their child with special needs. She dabbled in the HR world as the Human Resources Coordinator for a local behavioral health organization before returning to the J and the community that raised her. After 13 years living in Lawrence, she is happy to have moved back “home” with her husband JP, their daughter, Mackenzie, two dogs, Hank and Milo, and cat, Willie.
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Email
(913) 378-1261
Leea Clark
Executive Assistant to the Senior Rabbi
Leea is the Executive Assistant to the Senior Rabbi, maintaining Rabbi Kramer’s calendar, meetings, and events. She has worked nearly her entire career in Financial Services and was ready to move on to something new. Leea enjoys learning about the Jewish religion and meeting and getting to know our wonderful Congregants. Please stop by her office anytime to introduce yourself, or to just say “hello.”
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Email
(913) 378-1265
Kelsey Boyd
Events Coordinator
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Email
(913) 663-4050
Amy Potts
Receptionist
Amy is often the first person you encounter at B’nai Jehudah, either in person or on the phone! Amy provides a great deal of administrative support to the entire staff. Most mailings you receive were very likely handled with care by Amy. Be sure to introduce yourself at the reception desk when you stop by the building!
Georgina Cusick-Quintero
Custodian
