Leadership

Richie Ackerman, 2nd Vice President   

Richard was born in Yonkers, NY, grew up in Levittown, Long Island, and spent 2 years in the Army during the Vietnam war. He’s married to Claudia, and they have one daughter and one grandchild. They moved to Prescott Valley in 2021. Richard spent his 50-year career in the floor Covering Supplies business,  ending as a vice president of the 100-employee company. Richard was very active and on the board in his previous congregations, the Hicksville Jewish Center and Temple Etz Chaim. Richard enjoys playing guitar and pickleball. He and Claudia also enjoy traveling the country by car. 

Suzi Abramson-Johnson, 2nd Vice President

Suzi and her husband Phil made Prescott their main residence in 2019, keeping a small condo in the valley to return for the winters.  Originally from Wisconsin, where she and a group of friends founded a Reconstructionist Synagogue in 1989, she was one of their Cantorial Soloists.  Suzi retired in 2021 from an over 40-year career as a Project Manager in the Telecommunications Industry. Suzi is a part-time travel advisor. She and Phil are the proud grandparents of 6 grandchildren, 2 girls living in Prescott and 4 boys in Denver. Suzi served on the TBS Board of Directors for the last two years as a Member at Large and looks forward to serving as the 2^nd Vice President.

Amber Caulkins, Secretary

Amber moved to Chino Valley, AZ in 2022 to be closer to family after living in Chandler, AZ. For several years prior to that she and her husband, Josh and their three children, spent a decade in Rhode Island. She is currently a high school science teacher at Chino Valley High School, as well as teaching for the religious school, and co-chair for the Tikkun Olam committee at TBS. Prior to becoming a teacher, Amber spent ten years working in the non-profit sector as the director of several different start-up programs, including the Rising Tide Network at Mayyim Hayyim, a Mikveh and community center serving the Jewish community in the Boston Area.

Laurie Reiner, Assistant Secretary

Laurie grew up in NYC. She met Tom, her husband in San Francisco, CA in the mid-1970s, and got married in 1984. Laurie taught elementary school for over 25 years. She earned her Masters degree in Education while teaching full time. Laurie and Tom moved to Prescott at the end of 2019. She is impressed with the high level of talent and energy in our Temple’s leadership, as well as the variety of programs offered to the Congregation. Laurie has participated in Hebrew classes and Tanach Study with the Lunch Bunch. Laurie is a part time volunteer docent at Sharlot Hall.

Chedva Weingart, Treasurer         

Chedva was born in Israel and has lived most of her life in Los Angeles California.  She and her husband Brian moved to Prescott in November 2023.  Chedva is a Certified Public Accountant and ended her career as the Executive Director of Fiscal Services (CFO) for Pasadena Area Community College District.  Chedva was not only responsible for overseeing a general fund budget of over $250 million dollars but also the financial statements.  Chedva retired in 2022.  Chedva enjoys playing mahjong, pickleball and hiking in Prescott Arizona.

Trudy Steinhauer, Member-at-Large

Trudy was born in Pittsburgh, PA, lived in India as a child, and  was a flight attendant/purser for 35 years. She married  Douglas Steinhauer in 1987. After retiring she held numerous volunteer positions before moving to Prescott in 2015. We’re blessed to be part of “A Jewel of a Shul.”

Al Steinberg, Member-at-Large

Allee and Al moved to the area in 2005. Al is a fire service retiree as well as a public school retiree with several generations of volunteerism thrown in. Allee retired from 40+ years as a dental hygienist. They live in Chino Valley on a piece of property they call AB Normal Acres. They have an adult daughter in Portland; Allee’s father lives with them.

Karen Kern Bergman, Member-at-Large.

Fifteen years ago, my husband and I moved to Prescott looking for a change after living in the New York City area my whole life. I grew up in Queens and worked as an artist specializing in photo-real painting. In 1977, I met my first husband, Donald and we had three children, Justin, Adam, and Samara. Donald passed away in 1996 and I then remarried John Bergman in 2001. We enjoy boating, fishing, and trapshooting together, which I competed nationally for. With a longing to return to my Jewish roots, Temple B’rith Shalom has been so welcoming. It is now time for me to give as well as receive, and I hope to be of service to our congregation.

Bruce Goldberg, Member-at-Large

Bruce Goldberg and his wife, Elyce, relocated to Arizona in 2022 after growing up in Phoenix and then spending 35 years living in various locations around the world. Bruce comes to Temple B’rith Shalom after an extensive law enforcement and private sector security career.  Bruce and Elyce have three grown children and now spend their days raising one cat, Tigre, and one very active dog, Picante.

Danny Kowalksy, Member-at-Large.

Danny was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He met his wife Shannon while they were both Ambassadors for the Chamber of Commerce in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. In Lake Havasu, Danny served on the board of directors at Temple Beth Shalom, serving as both president and member at large. He also started, managed, and eventually sold a successful computer services business. After moving to Prescott, Danny spent over a decade working at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earned his master’s degree in cybersecurity. Danny is proud to be a US Marine Corps Gulf War Veteran. Danny and Shannon have been together for 14 years, and their daughter Abby attends Hebrew school at Temple B’rith Shalom. Danny is passionate about contributing to the growth and strengthening of the community at TBS.