Clergy and Staff

Rabbi Karen S. Citrin

Originally from Belmont, MA and a graduate of Brandeis University, Rabbi Karen Citrin (she/her) was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles in 2003, and holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from the HUC-JIR Rhea Hirsch School of Education. Rabbi Karen served as Associate Rabbi and Rabbi/Educator at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo, CA for ten years. In addition to leading worship, lifecycle, and other pastoral roles, Rabbi Karen directed a variety of intergenerational education programs including a nationally recognized Shabbat family education experience.

Along with Rabbi Micah, Rabbi Karen served as Co-Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel in Tulsa, OK from 2013-2016. They served together as Co-Rabbis and Co-Educators at Temple Beth David from 2016-2021. Rabbi Karen is the first female rabbi to serve at Beth David. Rabbi Karen served on the Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and is a rabbinic mentor for the joint CCAR/HUC-JIR mentoring program. She enjoys learning and teaching, being outdoors, reading novels, Jewish music, and strong coffee. Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Micah are the proud parents of twin teen boys.

Rabbi Citrin values the warmth of tradition and the spirit of innovation. She enjoys collaborating with staff and lay leaders to shape welcoming, vibrant Jewish community. She invites you to connect with Judaism through engaging study, uplifting prayer, and acts of loving-kindness to repair our world. 

Click here to email Rabbi Karen.

Rabbi Ashira Stevens, Director of Congregational Learning

Rabbi Ashira Stevens is originally from the Midwest and completed her undergraduate education at Indiana University in marketing and international studies. She moved to the Boston area in 2000 and completed a Master of Arts in Jewish Studies at Hebrew College in 2005. Through her experiences teaching in local area synagogues and at Prozdor, she fell in love with Jewish education, which led to her decision to pursue the rabbinate. As a rabbinical student, she served as the rabbinic intern at Temple Emanu-El of Haverhill, the Jewish Learning Collaborative of Metrowest, and Temple Beth David in Westwood, and spent a summer as a student chaplain at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. 

Rabbi Ashira Stevens was ordained at Hebrew College in June 2023. After ordination, she served as the rabbi and spiritual leader of Temple Emanu-El of Haverhill. She finds particular delight in making Judaism accessible and relevant for people of all ages and backgrounds, whether through exploring sacred texts, sharing meaningful ritual moments, or talking over coffee or a meal.

Rabbi Ashira lives in Natick with her spouse, Aaron, and their three children—Caleb (19), Ellie (16), and Jacob (12). In addition to enjoying time with her family and friends, she spends her free time reading, practicing Zentangle (a meditative art form), enjoying music—sometimes even playing clarinet—baking, and walking through the woods. Rabbi Ashira is thrilled to be returning to Temple Beth David and looks forward to meeting and reacquainting with the community!

Jen Wolf, Administrative Assistant 

Jen wears many hats here at Temple Beth David. She is in the temple office and is a certified preschool teacher on the other side of the building at Shalom Corner. Jen grew up in Lexington in the Reform Jewish world in NFTY and URJ Eisner Camp. As a theatre major from Goucher College, Jen has a passion for musical theatre and has acted, directed, stage managed, and designed many performances in the Boston and Baltimore areas. Prior to coming to TBD, Jen was a preschool teacher at Solomon Schechter of Greater Boston’s preschool program, Gan Shelanu. Jen served as the Drama Specialist at Camp Grossman, working with kids on improvisational skills, movement, spatial awareness, and having the confidence to perform in front of peers. Jen lives with her husband, two daughters, and cockapoo in Medfield.  

Click here to email Jen.

Jason Boyar, Office Administrator

Jason Boyar (he/they) has been Temple Beth David’s proud Office Administrator since summer 2025. A self-proclaimed “IT Specialist”, he dedicates himself to sharing his technological knowledge base with eager communities. This desire led him quite fatefully to the doors of TBD, where he is determined to contribute unwavering administrative support to keep this wonderful community operating expeditiously. Though the distance has varied, Jason has never found himself far from the lessons of Judaism. Originally a native of New York City, Jason has been a part of the Jewish lifecycle since birth. Growing up in Queens, he attended the Free Synagogue of Flushing, where his grandmother Florence served as Executive President and then President for decades. Even after moving to South Shore Massachusetts, Jason sought to continue his religious education (thanks to his mother), becoming Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Shirat Hayam in Marshfield, and confirmed at Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Hingham. He is a graduate of Bridgewater State University, where he learned how to marry his communication skills with his technological expertise. Jason currently resides in Norwood with his partner, Jenna. He’s an aspiring fantasy writer, and loves reading stories, sitting down with a good video game, enjoying and sometimes producing great music, and cooking excellent cuisine. His thirst for knowledge and adventure drive him to expand his horizons, and he is excited to bring that enthusiasm to a community he has deep respect for.

Sam Powers, Music Engagement Director

Sam Powers is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he studied mandolin performance and music business. A professional Jewish musician and songleader for over 13 years, Sam has been deeply involved in Boston’s Jewish and folk music scenes since moving to the city in 2018.

He has extensive experience as a Jewish songleader, having led music and prayer at congregations including Congregation Beth Shalom in Columbia, Missouri; Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley; Temple Beth Shalom in Needham; and Temple Sinai in Brookline. His camp experience includes songleading at Camp George and Camp Sabra, where he brought, ruach, and meaningful musical experiences to campers and staff.

Sam has also served as a full-time educator at both Temple Beth Elohim and Temple Beth Shalom, combining his passion for music, education, and community building in dynamic congregational settings. Currently, he is pursuing a dual Master’s degree in Business Administration and Jewish Professional Leadership at Brandeis University through the Hornstein Program. Outside of school and work, Sam can be found playing mandolin and guitar all over Boston, continuing to share his love of music and community.

Michael McLaughlin, Music Director & Pianist

Michael McLaughlin wears many hats in the Boston music scene. He has been part of the
Klezmer and Jewish music world since 1995 as a performer, arranger and composer for
The Shirim Klezmer Orchestra, and Naftule's Dream, more, recently with Klezwoods and
the Yaeko Miranda Quintet, while working with many more. In the jazz/improv world,
McLaughlin is performing evocative, original music for The Tall Tale Trio, and you will
find him playing accordion with some of the most talented “roots” and Americana
musicians in Boston with Josh Lederman and the CSARS, or the jazz funk rock
instrumental group Le Prestige at some of Boston’s finest breweries. He recently released
his first solo rock album Sydney River Sky under the moniker The Myller Mayr. McLaughlin holds a D.M.A in Music Composition from the New England Conservatory (’09), a MA in Music Composition from Tufts University, and a BM from Berklee College of Music. He was a recipient of a Mass Cultural Council Artist Grant award in composition. His works have been performed by The Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Trio Capriccio and the Chameleon Arts Ensemble, and can be heard on Tzadik Records, Newport Classics, Ryko Disc and more. He directs the Tufts klezmer ensemble, The Jumbo Knish Factory where he teaches courses in musicianship and theory. Michael looks forward to joining for his ninth High Holy Days at Temple Beth David.