Our Clergy

Sarah Hronsky
Senior Rabbi

With a deep dedication to Jewish faith and culture, Rabbi Sarah Hronsky enthusiastically embraces
her role as Senior Rabbi for Temple Beth Hillel. Rabbi Sarah joined Temple Beth Hillel in July 2003
following her ordination at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC) of Los Angeles in 2003. While at HUC, she earned two masters degrees: one in Hebrew Letters and the other in Jewish Communal Service. Rabbi Hronsky is a proud Fellow of the three-year Rabbinic Leadership
Initiative of the Shalom Hartman Institute of Jerusalem. She completed an intensive fellowship program with an elite cadre of 25 North American rabbis engaged in high level Jewish learning. She is also the recipient of the 2023 Pioneer Women Award from the City of Los Angeles, which recognizes individuals who have dedicated a significant part of their lives to promoting gender equality and advancing the status of women and girls in Los Angeles.

Rabbi Hronsky works extensively with the Board and staff of the congregation to ensure a thriving Reform Jewish  community in the East San Fernando Valley. She brings energy and creativity to the vast programming of Temple Beth Hillel and its three schools.  Her rabbinate is filled with teaching,
counseling, liturgical exploration, and leadership.  In addition, Rabbi Hronsky serves in the community on several Boards. She is the President of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California which is part of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles. Rabbi Hronsky has actively served on the Board of Rabbis Executive Committee for over 18 years as Treasurer, Secretary, member at large,
chair of the Annual High Holy Day Conference and chair of the Funeral Practices Committee. Rabbi Hronsky is President of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders (LACRL) where she enjoys
meaningfully participating Interfaith dialogue, events, and advocacy throughout the greater Los Angeles area.  Rabbi Hronsky is passionate in areas of social justice including a focus on homelessness. She runs an active taskforce on this issue and currently serves on the Board of the
North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry.   She has previously served on the Board of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis.  

Rabbi Hronsky is married to Yuri Hronsky, who is currently the Head of a Preschool and Elementary School, and they are proud parents of four children.

• Email Rabbi Hronsky at Rabbisarah@tbhla.org

Rabbi Keara Stein
Director of Congregational Learning

As Director of Congregational Learning, Rabbi Stein is an integral member of the senior professional staff and is responsible for the operation of the Religious School, adult and family education, and oversight of Judaic and Hebrew curriculum and instruction in the Elementary School.  Additionally, Rabbi Stein performs rabbinic duties and provides support for programs within our congregation.

Rabbi Stein was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Prior to that, she received her Masters of Arts in Hebrew Letters, completed a Rabbinic Student Interdenominational Program and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies with a minor in music from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon

Before joining TBH, Rabbi Stein worked in Development at the Jewish Community Center in Silverlake.  Additionally, she has served as Rabbi for Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf and Director of InterfaithFamily Los Angeles where she provided counseling and teaching to couples, individuals, and families relating to religion, tradition and lifecycle events. Rabbi Stein brings to TBH an extensive background working with individuals and families to have positive Jewish experiences and has specific expertise working with interfaith families to navigate religious and family challenges, and as a hospital chaplain.

• Email Rabbi Stein at Rabbikeara@tbhla.org

Jim Kaufman
Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Jim Kaufman – known as “Rabbi Jim” – has made his life at Temple Beth Hillel.  He came to our shul as a youngster and subsequently became Bar Mitzvah and was later confirmed. He worked here as a music and Bar/Bat Mitzvah teacher.  He received a Bachelor of Art degree in Sociology at California State University, Northridge and was ordained a rabbi by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1973.

Rabbi Jim has served Temple Beth Hillel as a rabbi since his ordination. He retired in June of 2010. Though his daily presence is missed, he is still involved in many religious and social programs at Temple Beth Hillel and in the greater Los Angeles Jewish community.

Rabbi Jim is married to Sue Kaufman, who also grew up at Temple Beth Hillel. They have five children, Joshua, Seth, Asher, Noah and Daniella. Rabbi Jim savors the opportunity to help individuals find satisfaction, support and meaning in their lives.

• Email Rabbi Kaufman at Rabbikaufman@tbhla.org

Alan Weiner
Cantor Emeritus

Cantor Emeritus Alan Weiner served Temple Beth Hillel from 1994 to 2008. He helped hundreds of students prepare for bar and bat mitzvah and conducted the synagogue choirs and musicians.

A native of Van Nuys, Cantor Alan holds a B.A. in Music from Stanford University and an MFA in Choral Music from the California Institute of the Arts, and pursued doctoral study at USC. He was invested as Cantor by the School of Sacred Music of the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. He is the past chair of the American Conference of Cantors Pacific Southwest Region and past vice-president of the National Conference. His compositions and arrangements are used in synagogues around the country. His song “Make a Noise,” written for TBH, is now included in the Reform movement’s Social Action Songbook.

He and his wife, Amy Simon-Weiner, are proud parents of Hallie, Benjamin, and Brina.