Board of Trustees

PRESIDENT

Jeff Reynolds became a member, like many others, when his children needed to attend preschool. His kids loved the ECC, and he subsequently joined the Board of Directors with a responsibility for that part of the organization. After some time in that position, he switched to being VP of Temple Administration. Outside of his work for Akiba, Jeff is an attorney at Coleman Chavez & Associates. Before becoming an attorney, Jeff worked in the fields of computer programming and journalism. In his position of President, Jeff hopes to bring his board experience to bear on a variety of issues facing the temple. He looks forward to working closely with the board, the staff, and the members, to keep improving this loving and soulful synagogue. 

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Lisa Tsimanis, her husband Alex, and daughter Gaby joined Temple Akiba in 2010.  They came to Temple Akiba by way of the ECC as many temple members have.  Lisa loves all that the temple has to offer her and her family - her daughter attended Religious School, Day Camp, Resident Camp, and became a Bat Mitzvah, and recently joined the Senior TASTY board!  After volunteering to lead the silent auction as part of the Purim Carnival and then for a fall fundraiser during COVID, Lisa took the next step to join the Temple Board of Trustees as the Financial Secretary. Now she welcomes the next chapter as our Executive Vice President.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Cathy has been a member of Temple Akiba since 1982 when she married Bruce, whose family joined Akiba in 1968. They have three grown children and three grandsons, who bring them much happiness. Cathy has served as Sisterhood President, VP Education, VP Ways and Means, VP Affiliations and on the Campaign of Light. She just completed 4 years as President. As Immediate Past President Cathy looks forward to working with our President and the Board to accomplish our goals. Cathy is committed to ensuring Temple Akiba’s future, to continuing its legacy as a warm, accepting and inclusive “home” where our light shines brighter together, committed to bringing justice and goodness into the world.

FINANCE TRUSTEE

Joel Savitt is the Founder and CEO of Bamboo Bridge, an operational advisory firm that helps high-scale creators and media enterprises build institutional-grade infrastructure. He specializes in the unglamorous but vital machinery of media: translating creative ambitions into scalable, repeatable global operations across every screen and experience.

Most recently, Joel served as a Director at Google, leading the Google Developer Studio, where he ran a global content engine producing over 2,600 videos a year to engage 20M+ followers across 60+ owned-and-operated social channels. Prior to that, as Director and Global Head of Production for YouTube Originals, he managed a nine-figure content budget and engineered multimillion-dollar studio facilities from the ground up. His deep roots in traditional Hollywood include launching the VP of Production function at NBCUniversal’s Oxygen Network and running production for Ashton Kutcher’s Katalyst Media, in addition to being the Coordinating Producer on The Amazing Race seasons 2 & 3 - setting that franchise up operationally for decades of success. Over his career, Joel’s operational leadership has supported content that has captured five Emmys, 19 Streamys, and three Webbys.

He is the husband of Christie Savitt, Founder & Director of Blue Bird Social Skills, and the proud father of recent University of Washington Graduate, Sloane and current University of Miami undergraduate student Jocelyn.

Joel is a member of the Television Academy and the Producers Guild of America, and serves as the Finance Board Trustee for Temple Akiba in Culver City. Driven by a belief in the power of operational mentorship, Joel volunteers regularly with Defy Ventures to help transform the lives of currently and formerly incarcerated individuals through entrepreneurship, career readiness, and personal development. He is also an avid runner who has completed 12 full marathons, with his 13th set for this October.

RELIGIOUS PRACTICES TRUSTEE

Emily Parkhurst has been a member of Temple Akiba for more than 15 years and is passionate about fostering a welcoming, engaged, and vibrant Jewish community. She and her husband, Gary Hoggatt, have raised their three teenage children at Temple Akiba, where all have participated in the religious school, B-Mitzvah, and summer camp programs. Emily has been an active volunteer for many years. She is excited to serve on the Board to support the congregation and its ritual life.

DEVELOPMENT TRUSTEE

Robyn Kupferman first joined the Akiba community when her oldest son enrolled at the ECC and was impressed with the warm welcome she and her family received. Since then, Robyn has co-chaired the annual Temple Akiba Purim Carnival multiple times. (It is one of her favorite days of the year!) Together with her husband Aaron, and her boys Logan and Evan, the family participates in many Akiba activities, such as Religious School, Day Camp, and Resident Camp. In her professional life, Robyn supports homeless and domestic violence programs in Los Angeles County. She loves Temple Akiba's commitment to social justice is honored to have been asked to be on the board.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL TRUSTEE

Trine and her husband Jeffrey joined Temple Akiba in 2018 and their two children attended ECC and continue with Religious School, Day Camp, and Resident Camp. From the very beginning,  Trine has been drawn to the sense of belonging, community, and service she feels at Temple Akiba - it's woven through her relationships with families and clergy, and through Temple gatherings like Shabbat, Purim carnival,  and Mitzvah Day.

Trine's career has centered around education: she was an elementary teacher for more than a decade and has spent the last thirteen years working as a reading specialist,  coach and facilitator. Most recently, she has been working with Los Angeles County Office of Education supporting their Intern Teacher Credential program.  She is honored and excited to join Akiba's Board of Trustees during a time of growth and transformation in Akiba's Religious School programs.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER TRUSTEE

Sara has been a member of Temple Akiba with her family since 2024. She and her husband, Tristan, have two boys, Ethan and Desmond (Desi), who have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the ECC family for the past two years. An LA native, she grew up attending and celebrating her Bat Mitzvah at Temple Sinai in Glendale, where her family remains active members. Over the years she attended Camp Alonim, traveled to Israel on Birthright and visited several of the largest Reform synagogues while living in New York City.

With 17 years of experience in the advertising and marketing industry, her career includes roles at creative agencies in both New York and Los Angeles. For more than a decade she has been with Google, leading creative partnerships for some of the organization's largest advertisers. Deeply committed to leadership and community building, she previously led the Playa Vista Women@ employee resource group and helped plan the first virtual national summit for Women@ Google during the pandemic.

Having recently completed Temple Akiba's Leadership Development Program, she looks forward to stepping into this role to support our youngest families and continue to foster a strong ECC community.

MEMBERSHIP TRUSTEE

Jenna Sonenshein and her family joined Temple Akiba in 2016 when she enrolled her children in the Religious School. She loves being a part of Akiba’s inclusive and welcoming community, and through Religious School, day camp, resident camp, and b'nai mitzvah, her kids feel like Akiba is a second home. After serving on the Membership Committee and helping with Mitzvah Day, Jenna is excited to take on a leadership role as Membership Trustee to build connections with existing members and grow our Temple community.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Toby Milavski and her family have been members at Temple Akiba since 2019, when her eldest daughter pulled her in after attending day camp for a few years. Toby loves Temple Akiba for its inclusive and accepting community. All four of her kids are active in the Temple Akiba community with religious school, day camp, and resident camp: Nina, 16, Lev, 14, Abe, 10, and Izzy, 8; they are part of the community, and the community is a part of them. Toby is active in the Sisterhood, Blood Drives, Mishlot Minot, and Mitzvah Day. Toby is eager to give back to the community by offering her time, skill set, and thoughtfulness in the financial secretary position.

ENGAGEMENT TRUSTEE

Anita and her husband, Scott, joined Temple Akiba in 2014 when they enrolled their kids, Lily and Jonah, into the ECC. It was Chance that led them to Temple Akiba, but a sense of belonging has made it their home.  Anita and her entire family have been active Temple members for 11 years.  Anita has volunteered on committees and at events when needed. Some examples are Purim Carnivals, Casino Night and attending Youth and Camp Committee meetings. Anita is happiest when she feels that she is helping her family friends and community. She has worked in customer relations based jobs for 30 years, which has given her strong problem-solving, organization, and communication skills. Anita is excited for this opportunity to make a bigger commitment to her Temple and community.

RECORDING SECRETARY

Wendy and her husband, Devin grew up at Temple Akiba. Starting with religious school and attending resident camp to becoming a Bat Mitzvah, and being married by Rabbi Maller (who also married her in-laws).  Wendy and Devin have two teenage daughters, who attended the the ECC, day camp, religious school, resident camp, and became Bat Mitzvahs. Wendy is on the Sisterhood board, served as recording secretary and current VP of membership. Wendy is also the Chair for the Mishloach Manot fundraiser, bringing this fun tradition to Temple Akiba.  She is honored to be part of the Board of Trustees.

FACILITIES TRUSTEE

Greg and his family joined Temple Akiba in 2017 and have been actively involved in the community ever since. Over the years, the temple has become an important part of their family's life. His son became a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Akiba and now works at both the summer day camp and sleepaway camp. His daughter was a Bat Mitzvah soon after and now serves as a teacher's aide in the Sunday school program. Greg's wife is also an active volunteer, serving on the Membership Committee. What Greg and his family value most about Temple Akiba are the meaningful relationships they have built and the warm, welcoming feeling that defines the community. With more than 20 years of experience in construction management, Greg is well suited for the role of Facilities Trustee. He currently serves as Vice President of Construction for a local commercial real estate investment firm, bringing extensive expertise in planning, building, and maintaining complex facilities. Greg has a deep appreciation for the history and sacred nature of Temple Akiba's campus. He is committed to preserving its legacy while thoughtfully maintaining and enhancing the facilities to support the congregation's needs today and position the temple for future growth and expansion.

YOUTH & CAMP TRUSTEE

Karen Plush was first introduced to Temple Akiba as a child, spending summers at Akiba Day Camp and Resident Camp. She’s grateful to once again be part of the Temple Akiba community today. Outside of Temple life, Karen works as a Program Manager in business immigration, helping employees at a Fortune 500 company navigate the process with care and expertise. She and her husband, Robert—who were married by Rabbi Shapiro—are now proud members of the congregation. Their two older sons have been enrolled in Religious school and spend summers at Resident Camp, and their youngest is gearing up for his first summer at Akiba Day Camp. Since rejoining the congregation in 2021, Karen has embraced the warm, welcoming community and the many wonderful families who make Temple Akiba feel like home. She is honored to serve as the Youth and Camp Trustee, supporting programs that help children and teens strengthen their Jewish identity, develop leadership skills, deepen their understanding of Jewish values and traditions, and build meaningful peer connections within a vibrant community.

SISTERHOOD TRUSTEE

Karen and her family have been members of Temple Akiba since 1999 when they moved to Culver City. They found Temple Akiba to be a warm and welcoming community. Her daughter started in the religious school that year and she began participating in Temple functions such as the Purim Carnival and Mitzvah Day. She then started to become active in the Sisterhood and has served on the Sisterhood Board in several positions. She started out as Recording Secretary, then moved to VP of Programs, VP of Ways & Means and Treasurer. Currently, she is Co-President of Sisterhood and honored to serve on the Temple Board as the Sisterhood Trustee.

MEN’S GROUP TRUSTEE

Michael Hudson embraced Judaism and joined Temple Akiba in 1994. During his more than three decades of membership, he has served the congregation in numerous leadership roles, including Executive Vice President, Vice President of Religious Practices, Vice President of Administration, and Trustee for Human Resources. He has also been an active member of the Temple choir and has led worship services. Michael especially values Temple Akiba's haimish (warm and welcoming) community, the lasting friendships he has built, and the dedication and compassion of its clergy.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Pacific University in Oregon and a Master of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University. He retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District after a distinguished 35-year career, including 25 years in Human Resources and Labor Relations and 10 years as Operations Coordinator for the District's television station, KLCS.

Following his retirement, Michael continued his professional work in a variety of interim Human Resources and Labor Relations leadership positions, including serving as Director of Human Resources for Santa Monica College. He currently provides Human Resources consulting services through Key HR Strategies LLC.  He currently volunteers as a Board Member for three additional non-profit organizations, including Pacific University.  He is also a Commissioner for the Los Angeles Unified School District Personnel Commission.

Outside of his professional and volunteer activities, Michael and his wife enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and traveling, especially on cruises. His personal interests include performing stand-up comedy, writing, and photography. Michael is honored to represent the Men's Group on the Temple Board and remains committed to supporting the Temple's mission and community.