Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.
—Warren Bennis
OUR RABBI
Rabbi Daniel Price
Rabbi Daniel Price holds a B.A. in Music/Communications from Plattsburgh State University, a Master of Jewish Education from Hebrew College, and received Rabbinic Ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York. With over two decades of experience as a Rabbi, Educator, and Song Leader in Connecticut, Daniel has also served as the Rabbi-in-Residence at Kol Ami in Tucson.
He fell in love with Tucson while training for bicycle events and bought a home there in 2018, joining Or Chadash. For the past seven years, he has led High Holy Day Services as Rabbi and Cantorial soloist on Block Island, RI. Last winter, he served as the interim Rabbi/Cantorial soloist at Congregation Beth Shalom-Rodfe Tzedek in Chester, CT.
Beyond his rabbinical duties, Daniel works as the Controller for the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York. Before his rabbinical ordination, he enjoyed a
21-year career as a television producer/director in New York.
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“Ours is a warm, welcoming, and inclusive congregation. We aim to be the center of Jewish life with worship services, learning, and programming. We seek to provide a comfortable and safe place to participate in both the cycle of the Jewish year, and the Jewish holidays.”
- Rabbi Daniel Price
Cantorial Soloist Eliyanah Powers
Eliyanah Powers holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Master of Music from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Arts from Adams State University, Colorado. Her diverse career includes roles as Cantorial Soloist, Children’s Choir Director, and Music Director for various organizations.
Eliyanah has taught at Ballard County Middle and High School in Kentucky, North Carolina Central University, and the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she directed the Opera Program and produced numerous productions. She has also served as an Assistant Professor of Music at Hastings College, Nebraska.
She has two grown sons, David and Mateo, who live in Kentucky. Eliyanah enjoys science fiction, particularly Star Trek, and is a fan of authors like Iain M. Banks and Louise Penny. Her faithful companion is a black Labrador retriever named Mac Labs
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Accompanist, Dr. Joshua Nichols
OUR BOARD
Esta Goldstein
Esta Goldstein was born and raised in the Jewish neighborhood of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY. Despite not receiving formal Jewish education, she celebrated Jewish traditions and holidays with her large family. Esta’s early life included working various jobs while attending Hunter College.
After graduating, she married her high school sweetheart, who was studying at New York University Dental School. Following his graduation, they moved to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, where Esta taught school and had her first child. This move marked the beginning of her deeper engagement with Judaism.
In New Jersey, Esta and her husband became active members of a conservative temple, both serving on the board, with her husband directing the Hebrew school and Esta serving as Sisterhood President.
Relocating to SaddleBrooke in 1995 due to her husband’s health, they joined the Institute of Jewish Services and Studies. Esta has since been involved with the Jewish Federation and the Northwest Jewish Community. It has been an honor for her to serve as Chairperson of Congregation B’nai Midbar, where she continues to learn and grow in her Judaism.
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Joy Erickson
Joy Erickson has a long history of commitment to the Jewish community, both in Utah and now in SaddleBrooke, where she relocated with her husband Bill in 2022. Her recent volunteer work includes seven years on the Board of Jewish Family Service of Utah, including two years as President, during which she led significant organizational growth.
Joy has served as Director of Membership and Volunteer Outreach at Temple Har Shalom, and held positions with United Way of Salt Lake, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and the American Heart Association in Utah. In 2018, she was honored by the United Jewish Federation of Utah for her leadership and dedication to the Jewish community and Israel.
Joy’s professional experience includes roles in real estate, computer technology, and biotechnology. She has served on the Westminster College Foundation Board and the Davis County Board of Health.
Joy holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University and a Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communication from the University of Utah. She and her husband have two adult sons and four grandchildren.
Judi Friedman
Judi Friedman is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of Congregation B’nai Midbar, having been involved with the congregation since moving to SaddleBrooke in 2022. Previously, she served on the Board of Congregation Shir Shalom in Sonoma, CA, in various roles including Secretary and Vice-President.In SaddleBrooke, Judi is a member of Friends of the Library, Freethinkers, and the SaddleBrooke Pet Rescue Network. She is impressed by the array of activities available in the community.Judi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University and an Honors Certificate from Adelphi University’s Paralegal Program. Her career spans education and paralegal work for a major food manufacturer.Judi is delighted to contribute to the future of Congregation B’nai Midbar and is deeply committed to the Jewish community in SaddleBrooke.
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Seth Eisner
Treasurer
Seth Eisner and his wife Roz became SaddleBrooke snowbirds in 2012, moving there full-time in 2018. They participate in various SaddleBrooke organizations and have made many friends in the community.Seth has been involved with numerous not-for-profits, primarily small, local organizations dedicated to specific purposes, including serving on the Board of Jewish Vocational Services of Chicago for twelve years, two as President.A career lawyer, Seth spent most of his professional life in-house at Kraft Foods, handling a wide array of interesting and mundane matters. His time on the Board of Congregation B’nai Midbar has seen many changes, and he is pleased with the congregation’s current upward direction.
Mike Koen
Co-Treasurer
Mike Cohn was born on June 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, NY. He married Gerri, also from Brooklyn, on September 9, 1962, and they have since enjoyed 62 years of marriage, raising two sons who are both accomplished lawyers and nurturing three grandchildren. He graduated from New York University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and obtained a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1964. [Your Name] worked as an electronic engineer from 1959 until his retirement in 2014 during which he developed a range of products for various applications and collaborated extensively with engineers worldwide, particularly in Japan and Israel. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he is dedicated to his spiritual practices in both Judaism and Zen Buddhism and enjoys biking, swimming, golfing, woodworking, drawing, painting, reading, and cooking with his wife, Gerri.
Melanie Einbund
Secretary/Publicity
Melanie Einbund considers it a privilege to serve on the Board of B’nai Midbar. Since 2021, she has been actively involved in the congregation’s growth and transformation. Her engagement in synagogue activities began with the revitalization of a Gold Rush Synagogue in Yuba City, CA. Melanie has also served on the boards of two synagogues in the San Francisco Bay Area, holding positions such as Secretary, Treasurer, and Events Coordinator.In SaddleBrooke, Melanie is a member of Senior Village, Freethinkers, Ballroom Dance, Jewish Friendship Group, Computer Club, Friends of the Library, and the Fine Arts Guild. She volunteers with Senior Village, chairs the book club ‘A Novel Idea,’ and serves on the publicity committee. Melanie appreciates the diverse opportunities SaddleBrooke offers for community involvement.Melanie holds a Master’s degree in Financial Management from John F. Kennedy University and has pursued post-graduate studies in Accounting, Management, and Project Management. Her professional experience includes roles at Bank of America and Kaiser Permanente.Deeply committed to Judaism and its traditions, Melanie is honored to serve on a caring and actively engaged board, dedicated to supporting the congregation. She looks forward to contributing to the future of Congregation B’nai Midbar.
Jerry Lankin
Membership Chair
Jerry Lankin was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he attended Northeast High School and Temple University. His first career was in retail, serving as a Merchandise Manager for Macy’s in Kansas City and later for Diamond’s Department Store in Phoenix, which brought him to Arizona in 1978.
Jerry transitioned to a second career as a Stockbroker and CFP Financial Planner, ultimately retiring from Morgan Stanley after 25 years. He and his wife moved to San Felipe, Mexico, where they resided for five years before returning to Marana to be closer to their daughter in Tucson. Sadly, Jerry was widowed in 2018 after 46 years of marriage. He also has two sons from a previous marriage and five grandchildren living in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
An avid fisherman, traveler, shooter, stamp collector, gardener, and Freemason, Jerry rose to the rank of Grand Master of Masons in Arizona in 1995 and has traveled extensively in this capacity. He currently serves as the Secretary of his Masonic Lodge and Treasurer of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Tucson. Additionally, he was President of Pima Rotary in 2010.
Jeff Syden
Logistics Team leader
Jeff Syden is a man of many interests and accomplishments. He and his family moved to SaddleBrooke from Port Jefferson Station, New York in 2005, and since then, they have traveled extensively both nationally and internationally. J
Jeff is an active participant in the SaddleBrooke Great Decisions Program and served for eight years as a board member on the Pima "Community Justice Board" in Catalina, Arizona.
With 38 years of teaching experience, Jeff has instructed students at all levels, from Junior and Senior High School to College undergraduates, including incarcerated youth. He also served as a mentor "DataStreme" participants, a meteorological project sponsored by NOAA.
Jeff's dedication to education extended beyond the classroom, as he coached junior and varsity level sports for thirty years and officiated high school sports in both Nassau and Suffolk counties in New York State.
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As an innovative thinker, Jeff along with our other B’nai Midbar board members continue to create a warm, inclusive, welcoming and always evolving congregation in SaddleBrooke.
Herb Cohn
Herb Cohn has demonstrated a profound commitment to congregational life throughout their adult years. extensive involvement includes roles such as Sunday School Teacher, Committee Member, and Board Member, culminating in two terms as President. Since relocating to Arizona in 2006, Herb has made significant contributions to Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El, including the establishment of Scout Troop 613. Their experience as Secretary of the Board at Congregationit Simcha highlights their dedication to fostering growth and stability within the community.
Herb believes that his background and abilities will be valuable to those in leadership, aiding the congregation's growth and stability. Despite living on the other side of the city, his commitment to actively participate in B’nai Midbar makes the distance seem insignificant. He also cherishes the friendships formed when he joined IJSS 12 ago, during Cantor Sarah Bollt's time as Cantorial Soloist, and looks forward to expanding his connections to include new members of the IJSS/B’nai Midbar community as it continues to grow.
Bonnie Lasky
Jewish Links/Website/ShalomCloud
Bonnie Lasky was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and has a rich background as an Air Force "Brat" for 20 years, followed by 27 years as an Air Force wife. At the age of 29, while stationed in Germany, Bonnie spent six months working on a Kibbutz in Israel.Bonnie enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career in hospital administration, retiring in 2000 as the University of California Systemwide Medical Risk Manager. Post-retirement, she dedicated herself to community service, contributing to organizations such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, Congregation Shir Shalom (serving as Board Member and President), Jewish Family and Children Services, Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging and Disability, and the California Coalition for Compassionate Care, where she made End of Life presentations to diverse groups. Additionally, she worked as a Sous Chef at Ramekins Culinary School in Sonoma for ten years.Bonnie converted to Judaism in 1990 before marrying Henry Lasky, who passed away in 2016. She moved into a senior community in 2017, where she met Irv Rothenberg. Together, they escaped the Santa Rosa fires and, after three years of fires and evacuations, moved to SaddleBrooke in 2020.Bonnie is deeply committed to ensuring that Congregation B’nai Midbar thrives and becomes a major support system for the Jewish community in SaddleBrooke.