Page 12 - jr090722

People in the News

Jewish Federation hires Daniel Berger She originally worked at CNS from 2004 to 2010 and returned
as Growth Marketing Director in 2019. Most recently, she served as Director of Congregational
Advancement. She and her family have been members of Neveh
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland has hired Daniel Berg- Shalom since 1999.
er as Growth Marketing Director as of Sept. 1. “I am honored to be promoted to the position of Assistant Ex-
Berger has more than 25 years ecutive Director,” says Caplan. “I knew when I came back to
of experience in graphic de- CNS in 2019 that I was coming home to support and grow this
sign, copywriting, marketing/ amazing community! I am excited to be in this role to make that
communications and social me- happen and continue to work with Fred Rothstein and our incred-
dia management. ible staff.”
“Dan’s years of experience
as both a graphic designer and Shaarie Torah welcomes female clergy to
writer will help the Jewish
Federation better tell its story the bimah for first time in 120-year history
and the impact we have on our Rav Na’ama Levitz Applbaum will join Rabbi Gary Ezra Oren on
Jewish community,” says JFGP the Shaarie Torah bimah to lead High Holy Day services this year.
CEO and President Marc Blat- She will be the first female
tner. “He also brings an outside clergy member to do so in the
perspective that will enable us congregation’s nearly 120-year
to reach new and different au- history.
diences.” A Jerusalem native, Rav
Berger will focus on developing and managing marketing pro- Na’ama hails from multiple
grams in specific channels, supporting community-building objec- generations of hazzans who
tives, increasing financial resource development, fostering donor helped pioneer the art of the
retention, advancing brand building and providing staffing support. niggun.
“My position as Director of Growth Marketing at the Jewish Fed- “It is an incredible honor to
eration of Greater Portland checked all the boxes I was looking join Rabbi Oren in leading
for, including a dedicated and personable team coupled with the the CST community during
mission and values embedded within the organization,” says Berg- the upcoming holidays,” says
er. “I’m looking forward to using my experience to enhance, grow Rav Na’ama. “I am excited to
and optimize the Federation’s presence and awareness within the reconnect with (retired) Cantor
community in whatever way is needed.” Aaron Vitells, who I’ve had the
Berger has worked for and in association with companies includ- opportunity to learn with at The Hadar Institute, and share some
ing Epson America, Sears and Best Buy. He has worked on diverse niggunim together. I look forward to a meaningful and uplifting
projects including logos, trade show graphics, book designs, cat- High Holiday season.”
alogs, corporate identity branding, marketing planning/budgeting As part of Shaarie Torah’s Elul programming, Rav Na’ama will fa-
and social media campaigns. He has degrees in English and color cilitate a deep dive into the music of the High Holidays on Sunday,
theory from UCLA. Sept. 11, at 11 am via Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting
Berger says he was honored to have the privilege to design and at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpcuygrTsqGtfffyP3A-
layout the autobiography of Devon Harris, one of the original oktBAxCi9Yw5zbI.
members of the 1988 Jamaican Bobsled team featured in the Dis- Rav Na’ama will arrive in Portland prior to Shabbat Nitzavim
ney film “Cool Runnings.” and will be involved with services and learning opportunities
In his spare time, Berger is an avid reader, runner and overall throughout the two weeks she is with the community.
sports enthusiast. He and his wife of 30 years, Amy, have a passion “As we searched for the right person to lead us in prayer this
for traveling and have visited about 35 countries. High Holy Days, it was clear from the beginning that our lead-
ership wanted someone who could inspire and invite us to reach
Neveh Shalom promotes Michelle Caplan high for our best selves and towards God,” says Rabbi Oren. “Rav
Na’ama’s davening is beautiful, soulful, kind, tender and uplifting.
to post of Assistant Executive Director She is a student and teacher of Torah, and that comes out when she
Congregation Neveh Shalom leads. Our community is blessed to have her guiding us into this
has promoted Michelle Caplan season of introspection, dreams and growth. She is the perfect fit
to Assistant Executive Director. for where we are as a community.”
Her responsibilities will con- Rav Na’ama has served as an educator and mentor for the Dorot
tinue to include membership Foundation in Jerusalem, was the director of Ramah Israel Sem-
and development, along with inar and the Israel Director of Community Engagement for the
supporting the work of the ex- Hadar Institute. She teaches at the Schechter Institute’s Ashira Te-
ecutive director. hillot program, training cantors, and currently serves as a Gabbai
Caplan recently earned a for Hakhel, a lay-led community in Jerusalem. Na’ama received
Master of Jewish Professional her ordination from Rabbi Daniel Landes in Jerusalem, where she
Studies from Spertus Institute lives with her husband, Ari, and their four children.
in Chicago. All of Shaarie Torah’s programs and services are open to the
Caplan has been part of community. The full schedule is available on the CST website
Neveh Shalom’s professional shaarietorah.org/hhd/. For additional information, please contact
staff team for several years. the shul office at info@shaarietorah.org or 503-226-6131.
12 Jewish Review Sept. 7, 2022