Clergy and Staff
Rabbi Karen S. Citrin
Originally from Belmont, MA and a graduate of Brandeis University, Rabbi Karen Citrin 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 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 her husband, Rabbi Micah, are the proud parents of twins, Itai and Yonah.
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.
Jesse Cerrotti, Executive Director
Jesse is a Boston native, and grew up in the Reform movement and as a member of Temple Sinai in Brookline.
Jesse has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit and public sectors throughout his career. He will join Temple Beth David from the JCC of Greater Baltimore where he was the Senior Director of J Camps, a program for over 1000 Jewish youth in greater Baltimore, and where he oversaw camp operations including the hiring and management of staff, budget management and facilities coordination.
Prior to the JCC, Jesse was a leader of multiple progressive issues-based campaigns and has significant experience with member engagement, outreach and fundraising. Jesse’s passions are experiential education and community organizing, leveraging effective, compassionate, and motivational leadership to solve problems and build meaningful relationships. Jesse has a BA in Psychology from University of Hartford and took continuing graduate coursework at the University of Northern Colorado and Hebrew Union College.
Jesse, along with his blind cattle dog, Gracie, is thrilled to join the Temple Beth David growing community.
Ariana Hershon, Director of Education
We warmly welcome Ariana Hershon, Temple Beth David's new Director of Education.
Ariana grew up in Marlborough, Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Political Science. She is a lifelong Jewish summer camp enthusiast, having spent many summers as a camper at Camp Young Judaea in New Hampshire and seven summers on staff at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. Ariana is an alumna of the Diller Teen Fellows program and Birthright Israel Fellows program and spent time studying and living in Israel at the University of Haifa.
In 2015 Ariana joined the staff at Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield, Illinois as the Youth Director focusing on teens. Her professional role evolved and grew over seven years in Chicago and at Congregation B’nai Tikvah. She served as the Director of Education, Youth and Family Engagement, overseeing the Religious School, community programming, Shabbat engagement, teens and young families. This journey led Ariana back home to the greater Boston community and now to Temple Beth David! Ariana brings her passion for Jewish community and learning to our Shorashim and Double Chai education programs.
In her words, “My primary goal is to foster a lifelong love of Judaism for youth in our community. One of my guiding principles in Jewish education is the emphasis and value placed on asking questions. The Torah encourages us to ask questions and we see many instances of our ancestors asking questions of God, each other and themselves. I believe that this is a core value of Judaism and should be present in how we teach our children. I hope that our students delve deeper, want to know the "why" and continue to ask us tough questions. I bring a curious spirit with me to Temple Beth David!” In her free time, Ariana enjoys traveling, playing softball, cooking and spending time with her family!
Lynn Kaminski, Director of Shalom Corner Early Learning Center
Lynn brings a wealth of experience in early childhood education. A Kindergarten teacher in the Wellesley Public Schools for twenty-seven years, Lynn earned her Director 1 and Director 2 licenses from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care while teaching.Lynn's passion for early education dates from her days as a babysitter and camp counselor in her hometown of Huntington, NY, to a B.A. and an M.A.T. in Child Development from Tufts University. While at Tufts, she worked at the Eliot-Pearson Laboratory School, the Tufts Educational Day Care Center, and at the Open Center for Children in Somerville. During her years in Wellesley, Lynn developed curriculum in many areas focusing on diversity and inclusion. Much of this work involved teaching colleagues, as well. She served on the Social Studies Curriculum Review, helping to create an environment in which conversations about differences were encouraged through literature and classroom discussions. Supporting learning through play is at the core of her educational philosophy.
Lynn and her husband David have been Westwood residents and members of Temple Beth David for twenty years. Their children, Shira and Meyer, are also part of the Temple Beth David family.
Lynn is honored to be the first director of Shalom Corner. She is thrilled to be returning to work with toddlers, preschoolers, and the critically important adults who teach them. Building connections with children and families is one of her favorite parts of this work, and Lynn looks forward to meeting all the children and parents of Shalom Corner!
Michelle Piatt, Families with Young Children Coordinator
Michelle Piatt is excited to be stepping into the new role of Families with Young Children Coordinator. She has over two decades of experience working with young children in preschools, public schools, and religious schools in NJ and MA.
Michelle first joined Temple Beth David last year with the opening of the Shalom Corner Early Learning Center as the lead afternoon teacher. After an amazing first year for Shalom Corner, she has been eager to find additional opportunities to contribute to and be involved in our community here at Temple Beth David.
After welcoming twins to their family four years ago while living in a new town, Michelle and her partner, Derek, experienced first-hand how the period of life with children under five can feel isolating. She is enthusiastic about working to ensure that other families with young children feel embraced and connected to Jewish community.
Michelle will partner with Rabbi Karen, Ariana and Lynn to support our Tot Shabbat, holiday celebrations, and Shorashim younger grades, and bring new programming for families with young children. Michelle continues to be a lead teacher at Shalom Corner and looks forward to cultivating lasting relationships with the families of our youngest learners at Beth David.
Joni Chasen, Administrative Assistant
Joni grew up in Framingham and now resides in Mansfield. Joni is a seasoned Administrative Assistant with over twenty-five years of experience working in diverse support services capacities. Her past contributions include administrative services and managing the office's day-to-day business operations consistently ensuring a smooth and seamless transactional function. Joni earned the name of the “go-to person” because she is always willing to help her co-workers.
In her free time, she thoroughly enjoys spending time with her son Alex, who is a sophomore at The University of Alabama. When her father passed away from Pancreatic Cancer in 2018, Joni made it her mission to learn as much as she could about this disease and learned about the Lustgarten Pancreatic Research based out of New York. Joni participates in a variety of capacities for the company through managing local walks, raising awareness through speaking engagements, visiting patients and their families offering a sympathetic ear. To unwind, Joni is a constant at her local gym where running and weightlifting provide her with all-over wellness.
Leslie Cain, Administrative Assistant
Leslie has returned to Temple Beth David, where she attended synagogue, Hebrew school, became Bat Mitzvah, and spent many hours with NAWDTY (nee DWEFTY) friends. She is honored to use her extensive experience and qualifications as an MSW, Special Education Advocate and EEC Director, to give to the place that installed her love of Judaism. Leslie supports Shalom Corner as well as the congregation with her work. She is the proud mother of twenty-something year olds - 3 sons and a daughter.
Jen Wolf, Administrative Assistant
Jen is very excited to be welcomed into the Temple Beth David community. She 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, where she was in the classroom during the year as well as a lead teacher during the summer program. Jen spent this past summer 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 puppy in Medfield. Jen will also lend support in Shalom Corner.
Roberto Vasconcelos, Custodian
Roberto has worked at Temple Beth David since 2003. You might find him at any hour of the day or night hard at work. He lives in Northborough. When he is not working, he loves to kayak and play tennis.
Musical Leadership
Music is an important part of the Temple Beth David community; we are "a singing congregation."
We are excited and honored to welcome back Julia Sabra, cantorial and rabbinical student at Hebrew College, to lead our community during the High Holy Days. Throughout the year, in addition to Rabbi Micah, Rabbi Karen will partner with local cantors, cantorial soloists, and song leaders on our bima. We are especially glad to continue to partner with Rabbi Batya Ellinoy, who will join us monthly on Shabbat. We are grateful for talented and spirited pianist, Michael McLaughlin, who accompanies our High Holy Day and some Shabbat services.
Rabbi Micah Citrin, Adjunct Rabbi
Originally from Albuquerque, NM and a graduate of the University of Oregon, Rabbi Micah Citrin was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles in 2005, and holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from the HUC-JIR Rhea Hirsch School of Education. Rabbi Micah served as Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, CA, and Director of Community Life and Learning at Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto, CA. Rabbi Micah worked with the clergy team at Peninsula Temple Beth El for three years in San Mateo, CA as Rabbi/Educator, especially focusing on teen engagement.
Along with Rabbi Karen, Rabbi Micah 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 Micah is currently a Jewish Studies teacher at Gann Academy. Rabbi Micah’s interests include running, playing guitar, singing, reading, and being outdoors. Rabbi Micah continues to offer music on the bima during Shabbat and holidays, and teach in our teen program.
Julia Sabra, Cantorial Student
Julia Sabra is in her second year of cantorial and rabbinical school at Hebrew College in Newton, MA. As a classically trained musician from Florida, Julia graduated from the University of Florida (go Gators!). She has worked as a Jewish educator, cantorial soloist and song leader, traveling to unite communities internationally, and focusing on empowering teens in BBYO. She brings ruach (spirit) to Shabbat, High Holidays, and life-cycle, merging modern concepts with traditional practices to engage and activate people of all ages. She is passionate about education, spirituality, serving her community, and using music as a tool to inspire and amplify the voices of those around her. Julia is eager to continue to further her Jewish knowledge and involvement, shape her own practice, and root herself in a community that is supportive, vibrant, passionate, and welcoming. In her free time, Julia enjoys writing her own music, cooking, playing board games, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her dog, Ralphie.
Elisheva Pripas, Rabbinic Intern
Elisheva (or Elli) Pripas (she/they) is entering her fifth of six years of rabbinical school at Hebrew College this year, where they are also pursuing a Master's of Jewish Education. She is excited to be interning with Temple Beth David this year. She previously interned at Temple Beth Sholom in Framingham and Temple Emanu-El in Haverhill, and taught Hebrew School at Temple Israel in Boston.
Elli completed her undergraduate degree at Macalester College in 2015, as well as a graduate degree in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2019. Elli served three years as an AmeriCorps member, working with educational and nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis-St. Paul. She also has worked as an advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. They were also involved in Jewish social justice organizing as a Jewish Community Action's Leadership Team member for their Decriminalizing Communities work.
