Rabbi Richard S. Chizever, Esq. is a native of Los Angeles and graduated from U.C.L.A. in 1991 with a BA in economics. After graduation, Rabbi Chizever worked in the entertainment industry where he was a manager of actors and directors. During his three years in that career, he came to the realization that he wanted to learn more about Judaism. In the summer of 1994, he left the entertainment industry and decided to enter the Conservative rabbinate. Rabbi Chizever spent the first two years of his rabbinic education at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. After earning his Master’s Degree in Jewish Letters, Rabbi Chizever continued his studies at the Seminary’s Bet Midrash (the Schechter Institute) in Jerusalem, graduating in May 2000 from The Jewish Theological Seminary’s New York Campus with a concentration in Prayer and Bible. Rabbi Chizever was a rabbinic intern at Congregation Habonim, located on the Upper-West side of Manhattan. He also chaired the Rabbinical School’s Student Placement Committee, where he was responsible for placing rabbinical students into pulpits and related Jewish communal jobs. Rabbi Chizever was a New York City Auxiliary Police Officer, with the duties of patrolling the Upper-West Side of Manhattan, recruiting, and teaching the first-aid class to his fellow officers. He served as the Jewish Chaplain for the Cobb County Police Department. Upon rabbinical school graduation in May 2000, Rabbi Chizever served as the Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Etz Chaim in Marietta, Georgia. In June 2002, he assumed the position of Associate Rabbi at the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, where he was involved in all facets of the congregation and Jewish communal life. While at A.T.J.C., Rabbi Chizever served on the Board of Directors for the Miami Chapter of The American Jewish Committee, as well as founded the very popular “InStyle Shabbat” for Jewish singles in their 20’s and 30’s. In June 2004, Rabbi Richard S. Chizever became the spiritual leader of Temple Israel in Longwood, Florida. While in Central Florida, Rabbi Chizever got quite involved in the Jewish Community. He was an active member of G.O.B.O.R. (Greater Orlando Board of Rabbis), was President and Co-Founder of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, and served in the capacity of adjunct professor in the Religion and Philosophy Department at Rollins College. Rabbi Chizever created a “ruach” filled musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service called Friday Night Fever, and released a CD of its music. Rabbi Chizever expanded his rabbinate by pursuing a law degree at Florida International University. While in law school, Rabbi Chizever served as spiritual leader of Cuban Hebrew Congregation-Beth Shmuel in Miami, Florida, made Dean’s list every semester, was an F.I.U. College of Law Florida Bar Foundation Fellow, interned at Legal Aid Society of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association, and received a Florida Association for Women Lawyer’s scholarship. Rabbi Chizever earned is Juris Doctor in 2011, and graduated cum laude. After law school graduation, Rabbi Chizever worked as an associate attorney at one of the top litigation firms in Miami - Hall, Lamb and Hall. In 2013, Rabbi Chizever opened up his own law firm, Richard S. Chizever, P.A. where he uses his rabbinic, counseling, and legal skills in the area of Family and Divorce Law and Domestic Violence actions. Rabbi Chizever is a member of the Miami-Dade County Board of Rabbis and Rabbinical Assembly of America. Rabbi Richard Chizever is the President of the North Dade Bar Association, serves on the Board of Directors of the Broward County Bar Association, holds a board position on the prestigious First Family Law American Inns of Court, is a member of the Florida Bar Family Law Section and Miami-Dade County Bar Association. Rabbi Chizever has a beautiful daughter, Sophia. In his spare time, Rabbi Chizever loves to attend sporting events and concerts, take R.V. adventures, smoke brisket and beef ribs, boat, and ride his Harley Davidson.
STAFF
Barbara L. Breslow, Executive Director
Barbara is excited to be a member of the staff at Temple Emanu-El. She is originally from New York, first the Bronx and then upstate Rockland County (New City). Barbara has lived in South Florida most of her life, since she prefers the warm weather.
Prior to her position at Temple Emanu-El, Barbara worked for the for-profit sector for thirty years. She was the Plant Manager/Controller for Gannett Offset/USA Today for most of her career. She also was the Controller for two other South Florida printing companies. Barbara is enthusiastic about bringing her many years of experience in Finance and Management to Temple Emanu-El. She has two sons, Joshua and Brandon, who are her pride and joy. Both her sons are married and Barbara has welcomed Reggie and Lara to the family. She is about to become a grandmom (Bibi) for the first time and is looking forward to his birth at the end of May 2023. |
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. |
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 (a teacher at Beth Moshe) moved to Miami in 2005 along with their two children, Zequi and Lara. |
Liora Ramati - Spiritual Leader, Hebrew Teacher and B'nai Mitzvah Tutor
Liora has been part of Temple Emanu-El of South Beach for the past 18 years. Born and raised in Israel, she shares with us her professional background working with Jewish social agencies, Temples and youth organizations to enhance the enrichment for all of our community. She is most definitely a light and brings with her a sense of spiritual well being to any service she leads.
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LEADERSHIP
Rabbi: Richard S Chizever, Esq.
Executive Director/Finance Director: Barbara Breslow
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: Richard Lehrman
First Vice President: David Greenberg
Second Vice President: Caryn Tanis Boren
Treasurer: David Greenberg
Past President: Joy Spill
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
Tibor Hollo
Joan Muss
Stephen Muss*
George Weiss
*Past Presidents
Dr. Irving Lehrman, z’’l, Founding Rabbi
Mr. Sam Friedland, z”l Chairman Emeritus
Executive Director/Finance Director: Barbara Breslow
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: Richard Lehrman
First Vice President: David Greenberg
Second Vice President: Caryn Tanis Boren
Treasurer: David Greenberg
Past President: Joy Spill
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
Tibor Hollo
Joan Muss
Stephen Muss*
George Weiss
*Past Presidents
Dr. Irving Lehrman, z’’l, Founding Rabbi
Mr. Sam Friedland, z”l Chairman Emeritus