Rabbi Liora Ramati
Sr. Rabbi
Behind Rabbi Liora’s sparkling personality stands a spiritual powerhouse. Rabbi Ramati’s appointment as Senior Rabbi in July 2024 is historic for Temple Emanu-El. As both the first female and Israeli born Rabbi to serve the congregation she loved and nurtured for the last 19 years, she will lead the core work of deepening the Jewish identity and relationship to Israel.
For the last 20 years Rabbi Liora has served as a beloved Jewish studies teacher, lay leader, and mentor to young and old alike at Temple Emanu-El and throughout the South Florida Jewish community, including Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Sinai, Beth David Congregation, Temple Judea and Temple Beth Moshe . Her life’s work and spiritual journey came full circle when she received her rabbinical ordination at the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute (JSLI) in June 2024.
Before moving to the US 25 years ago as an emissary from the Jewish Agency in Israel, Rabbi Liora worked for the Jewish Agency focused on young leadership groups form around the world. Her mission then and now is to connect our community to Israel by building a loving and supporting bridge for those Jews who are entirely disconnected from Israel and traditional Jewish institutions. Rabbi Liora, who honorably served as a commander in the Israeli army for two years, first received a Batchelor of Arts in Education and Geography, graduating Cum Laude from Ben Gurion University, then studied for her MA in Dance and Movement Therapy.
Vibrant and talented, Rabbi Ramati always infuses spiritual wellbeing and positive energy to any service she leads and everything she does serving Temple Emanu-El’s international Jewish community. She will continue teaching Hebrew, the portal to the wisdom of our tradition. She will also continue teaching Israeli dancing, capturing the hearts and minds of children and adults alike with her enthusiasm and love for Judaism through movement and the creative arts.
A wife and mother of two daughters, she is fully trilingual and effortlessly nurtures souls in English, Spanish and Hebrew.
Sr. Rabbi
Behind Rabbi Liora’s sparkling personality stands a spiritual powerhouse. Rabbi Ramati’s appointment as Senior Rabbi in July 2024 is historic for Temple Emanu-El. As both the first female and Israeli born Rabbi to serve the congregation she loved and nurtured for the last 19 years, she will lead the core work of deepening the Jewish identity and relationship to Israel.
For the last 20 years Rabbi Liora has served as a beloved Jewish studies teacher, lay leader, and mentor to young and old alike at Temple Emanu-El and throughout the South Florida Jewish community, including Temple Beth Sholom, Temple Sinai, Beth David Congregation, Temple Judea and Temple Beth Moshe . Her life’s work and spiritual journey came full circle when she received her rabbinical ordination at the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute (JSLI) in June 2024.
Before moving to the US 25 years ago as an emissary from the Jewish Agency in Israel, Rabbi Liora worked for the Jewish Agency focused on young leadership groups form around the world. Her mission then and now is to connect our community to Israel by building a loving and supporting bridge for those Jews who are entirely disconnected from Israel and traditional Jewish institutions. Rabbi Liora, who honorably served as a commander in the Israeli army for two years, first received a Batchelor of Arts in Education and Geography, graduating Cum Laude from Ben Gurion University, then studied for her MA in Dance and Movement Therapy.
Vibrant and talented, Rabbi Ramati always infuses spiritual wellbeing and positive energy to any service she leads and everything she does serving Temple Emanu-El’s international Jewish community. She will continue teaching Hebrew, the portal to the wisdom of our tradition. She will also continue teaching Israeli dancing, capturing the hearts and minds of children and adults alike with her enthusiasm and love for Judaism through movement and the creative arts.
A wife and mother of two daughters, she is fully trilingual and effortlessly nurtures souls in English, Spanish and Hebrew.
Paula Arias Dorado
Executive Director
Paula Arias Dorado, is a proud Colombian who has called Miami home for over 25 years, is delighted to return to Temple Emanu-El, where she first served from 2005 through 2013. Now, as Executive Director, Paula brings her deep commitment, warmth, and leadership back to the community she cherishes.
With over 19 years of professional experience spanning nonprofit organizations and private banking, Paula is a dynamic and polished leader known for her expertise in executive support, strategy development, process optimization, event planning, and community engagement. She is highly detail-oriented, organized, and dedicated to enhancing efficiency to drive success.
Paula is married and she's the mother of two (16 & 4), whose love for Israel inspires her dream of one day traveling to the Holy Land with her entire family—parents, siblings, children, and nieces and nephews together. She is proud to be part of Temple Emanu-El’s vibrant community and to help lead it into an exciting future.
Executive Director
Paula Arias Dorado, is a proud Colombian who has called Miami home for over 25 years, is delighted to return to Temple Emanu-El, where she first served from 2005 through 2013. Now, as Executive Director, Paula brings her deep commitment, warmth, and leadership back to the community she cherishes.
With over 19 years of professional experience spanning nonprofit organizations and private banking, Paula is a dynamic and polished leader known for her expertise in executive support, strategy development, process optimization, event planning, and community engagement. She is highly detail-oriented, organized, and dedicated to enhancing efficiency to drive success.
Paula is married and she's the mother of two (16 & 4), whose love for Israel inspires her dream of one day traveling to the Holy Land with her entire family—parents, siblings, children, and nieces and nephews together. She is proud to be part of Temple Emanu-El’s vibrant community and to help lead it into an exciting future.
Suzanne Whiteley
Facilities Manager
Suzanne is originally from Brooklyn, and has lived in Florida since 1978.
Prior to coming to Temple Emanu-El, Suzanne worked for 25 years at Gannett Offset/USAToday in both Accounting as their Assistant Controller & Building Maintenance.
When she is not working, she does a tremendous amount of community service due to her love of animals, specifically, she goes out to take care of feral cats and kittens three nights a week at several different locations in Broward County. Suzanne loves to travel and cruise. She loves learning about different heritages, traditions and religions. She is getting quite the education right here at Temple Emanu-El.
Suzanne has one daughter, Destinee who she refers to as her "free spirit". She is also the proud grandmother to Vayda, Starla, and Brya.
Prior to coming to Temple Emanu-El, Suzanne worked for 25 years at Gannett Offset/USAToday in both Accounting as their Assistant Controller & Building Maintenance.
When she is not working, she does a tremendous amount of community service due to her love of animals, specifically, she goes out to take care of feral cats and kittens three nights a week at several different locations in Broward County. Suzanne loves to travel and cruise. She loves learning about different heritages, traditions and religions. She is getting quite the education right here at Temple Emanu-El.
Suzanne has one daughter, Destinee who she refers to as her "free spirit". She is also the proud grandmother to Vayda, Starla, and Brya.
Hector Priven
Music Director
Hector has been Music Director at Temple Emanu-El since 2005.
Born in Argentina, he was actively involved in the Jewish community there for many years.
Hector and his wife, Adriana moved to Miami in 2005 along with their two children, Zequi and Lara.
Born in Argentina, he was actively involved in the Jewish community there for many years.
Hector and his wife, Adriana moved to Miami in 2005 along with their two children, Zequi and Lara.
LEADERSHIP
Rabbi: Liora Ramati
Executive Director: Paula Arias Dorado
Facilities Manager: Suzanne D. Whiteley
Chairman of the Board: Dr. Phillip Frost
Executive Vice Chairman of the Board: Jerry A. Jacobs*
Vice Chairman of the Board: Jacqueline Simkin
President: David Greenberg
Second Vice President: Caryn Tanis Boren
Past President: Richard Lehrman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Edie Laquer
Eric Malka
Howard Cohen
Howard Lorber
Jeffrey Rynor*
Lawrence Schantz*
Sam Baum
Shayna Sirkin
ADVISORY BOARD
Geoffrey Aaronson
Arthur Anderman
Jerome Blank
Hon. Elaine Bloom
Dedee Cohen
Irving Cowan
Wayne Cypen
Barton Goldberg
Brian Heller
Joan Muss
George Weiss
*Past Presidents
Dr. Irving Lehrman, z’’l, Founding Rabbi
Mr. Sam Friedland, z”l Chairman Emeritus