Leadership
Rabbi David Katz
Rabbi David Katz has served at Temple Beth El since October 2010.
In our congregation, Rabbi David’s duties include leading services on Friday nights and Saturday mornings, including our monthly family-oriented service, Shabbat Kulanu – Shabbat For All Of Us. Rabbi David can always be found at TBE School on Sunday mornings, meeting with students, leading Tefilah, and helping out in a variety of ways. He works with our members on life cycle events, pastoral sessions, educational projects, and a variety of other needs.
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Rabbi David is also involved in several different projects in the greater Williamsburg community. He is one of the founders and leaders of Historic Area Religions Together (HART), the Historic Triangle’s multifaith organization of different religious communities and leaders. He is a member of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Communities of the Virginia Peninsula. He has also been a part of different working groups and committees for the Williamsburg/James City County School Division. In November 2020, the Greater Williamsburg Business Council named him one of the 15 Under 50 up-and-coming business and civic leaders in Greater Williamsburg, in recognition of his impact on the community at large.
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Rabbi David was ordained as rabbi in June 2009, at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in the Philadelphia suburbs, where he also earned a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters. He grew up in New York City, and holds a B.A. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo, with a minor in Media Studies.
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Before attending rabbinical school, Rabbi David worked as the Youth and Program Director at a synagogue in Texas, as the Director of Cultural Programming at a Jewish Community Center in Florida, with troubled teenagers at a program for youth in crisis in Texas, and as a teacher in public schools in New York City and Florida.
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An avid sports fan, who is particularly devoted to the New York Mets and New York Knicks, he also enjoys – and frequently refers to – rock and jazz music, and science fiction, spy, and superhero movies and television shows. He is married to Dr. Amy Lazev, a clinical psychologist, who directs the School Health Initiative Program for the Williamsburg-James City County School Division. They have two sons, Noah and Elijah, and a beloved labradoodle named Cocoa.
Rabbi Emerita Sylvia Scholnick
Rabbi Emerita Sylvia Scholnick retired in 2007 after serving the congregation for over ten years.
She continues to live in the community and participate in TBE endeavors.
Our Board
President
Dr. Joel Levin
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N. Y., Levine is Research Professor in the Department of Applied Science at William and Mary and a consultant to NASA’s Engineering and Safety Center. While working for NASA for 41 years, from 1970 to 2011, Levine was Senior Research Scientist in the Science Directorate, NASA Langley Research Center and while detailed to NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC, Levine served as the Mars Scout Program Scientist in the Mars Exploration Program and was appointed co-chair of NASA’s Human Exploration of Mars Science Analysis Group planning for the first United States human mission to Mars. Levine has written over 250 scientific papers and reports, published seven books on the human exploration of the Moon and Mars, atmospheric chemistry and the impact of human activities on the Earth’s atmosphere. Levine was invited to present two talks on TED dealing with the human exploration of Mars. Levine was first elected TBEW president in 2023 and then again in 2025. Levine was also appointed to the founding Board of Directors of the William and Mary Hillel and serves as its secretary. Levine is married to Dr. Arlene S. Levine.
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Vice President
Administration
Neil Portnoff
Neil Portnoff is serving his second term as Vice President Administration. Prior to this he was TBE-W's Treasurer. Neil and his wife, Susan, have been TBE-W members since 2014. Neil is also Chairman of the Virginia Peninsula Jewish Film Festival Committee.
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Vice President
Programming
Glenn Solomon
I was born in Brooklyn, and moved to NJ during the Jewish diaspora upon the opening of the Verrazano Bridge. During my professional life, I have been able to partake in a
diversified portfolio of acting, Sales Management, and pursuit of educational endeavors focused on Health Policy and
Leadership.
I have been lucky to have wonderful wife, Karen who I share my life with along with our beautiful golden-doodle, Scrappy. Our greatest achievement was to have 26 years with our
beloved son, Joshua.
Treasurer
Mike Sitglitz
Mike and his family first joined Temple Beth El in 2002 when the Navy brought them to Williamsburg from Japan. Their entire family has been invested in Temple life over the years, with both kids becoming B’nei Mitzvah here and his wife previously serving on the board and as Temple Administrator.
Professionally, Mike was a Navy Supply Corps officer and retired after 27 years at the rank of Captain. He is currently a Project Manager working on digital transformation initiatives for the Navy’s shipyards and aviation depots.
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Recording Secretary
Sue Portnoff
Sue is in her second term as Board Secretary. She is chair of the Membership Committee and a member of the Social Action Committee. She and her husband, Neil, have been members since 2014. Sue also participated in the adult B'nei Mitzvah class, and was officially Bat Mitzvah last year.
Sue and her husband enjoy traveling in their retirement, as well as spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Member at Large
Beth Jacobi
Having mostly grown up in Northern Virginia, Beth moved to Williamsburg in 2022 with her husband and two children after spending years moving all over the world for work. Her children have attended TBE School since then, with her oldest recently celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. In addition to the children, they also have two dogs who do not attend TBE School but do enjoy participating in TBE-W's yearly tashlich service on Rosh Hashanah. After years building (and rebuilding) a Jewish home and community everywhere they moved, Beth and her family are thrilled to be part of the wonderful community here at TBE-W.
Member at Large
Karlyn Owens
Karlyn and her family have been members of TBE-W for several years, and Karlyn has served in numerous board positions. Her son was recently Bar Mitzvah at TBE-W, and her daughter is preparing for her upcoming Bat Mitzvah. She and her family are deeply invested in creating a welcoming space for all.
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Professionally, Karlyn is civil engineer for the public water service. She serves on a group promoting women in science and works hard to ensure the city of Williamsburg has clean water.
Member at Large
Brenda Roston
Brenda and her family have been members of TBE-W for over 25 years. She has served on the board for approximately 7 years, and she frequently lends her tech support to our multi-access services.
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Her husband Rich can be found helping to lead services, especially our children's programming. Both of Brenda's children were B'Nei Mitzvah at TBE-W, and she is an essential member of our TBE-W community.
Member at Large
Leon
Leon and his wife Judy have been in Williamsburg for 30 years and throughout that time, active members of Temple Beth El. He is currently serving on the board for the second time.
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Professionally, Leon has served on the Board of Child Development Resources for 16 years and has run several small businesses in Williamsburg.