Clergy, Leadership, and Staff
Matthew S. Cutler, DD
Senior Rabbi
Read about Rabbi Matt
Eleanor B. Pearlman, LCSW, MA
Adjunct Rabbi Emerita
Read about Rabbi Pearlman
Rabbi Emeritus Bernard H. Bloom, D. D. served our congregation from 1984 to 1995. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 1952 and was ordained at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1957, where he also received Bachelor and Master of Hebrew Letters degrees. He was awarded the honorary title of Doctor of Divinity in 1982. In his 11 years at Gates of Heaven, Rabbi Bloom oversaw the expansion of the Estelle & William Golub Administrative Wing of the synagogue building and renovations to the Sisterhood-David Hatkoff Room, as well as numerous life cycle events and milestones in the history of the congregation.
Rabbi Bloom passed away on May 27, 2023. Sadly, Mrs. Bailey Bloom passed away just six days later, on June 3, 2023. A joint memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 6, to honor the memory of Rabbi & Mrs. Bloom and their contributions to our congregation. Rabbi and Mrs. Bloom are survived by their three children, Jeremy, Margo, Joel, and many other family and friends who will remember them both with love. May their memory always be for a blessing.
Lay Leadership
Executive Committee
- Jonathan Rubin, President and Chair of Executive Core
- Stacey Farber, Executive Vice President
- Elizabeth Desbiens, Vice President of Worship & Ritual
- Andrea Berkowitz-Cerasano, Vice President of Living Jewish Values
- Elisa Harrington-Verb, Vice President of Membership and Growth
- Richard Dolins, Honorary Vice President
- Randy Simon, Financial Secretary
- Peter Kopcha, Treasurer
- Kimberley Broad, Secretary
Board of Trustees
- Andrea Berkowitz-Cerasano
- Kim Broad
- Elizabeth Desbiens
- Rick Dolins
- Steve Egna
- Steve Elson
- Stacey Farber
- Shae Fitzgerald
- Brian Haak
- Elisa Harrington-Verb
- Peter Kopcha
- Gerry Magnes
- Jonathan Rubin
- Randy Simon
- Melinda Teter
- Aaron Treiber
Board of Advisors
- Richard Dolins, Chair
- Ann Cramer
- Gerald Hahn
- Eileen Michaels
- Stan Strauss
- Gordon Zuckerman
Professional Staff
Arnie Rotenberg
Director of Congregational Jewish Living
It is my pleasure to serve as the Director of Congregational Jewish Living, a position that has grown to include the roles of Director of our Religious School, Adult Education, and programs throughout CGOH.
I have over 40 years’ experience in synagogue and day school education. Even with this, I am always a teacher at heart, modeling lifelong learning as an example to our students and teachers.
My background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from the University of Denver and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Colorado in Denver. Learning is a part of my life. I have the same expectations for your children as I do mine—to see them excel and become engaged in Jewish life and become productive human beings. I invite you to join me on this journey.
Josh Cooper-Ginsburg
Director of Administration and Operations
I am proud to serve Congregation Gates of Heaven as Director of Administration and Operations! I joined the CGOH family in 2021 with a background in customer service and volunteer-community engagement. I was raised in a Jewish family on Long Island and studied psychology at the University at Albany prior to receiving a Master of Science degree in psychology.
My primary responsibilities include serving our members and lay leadership with administrative support, oversight of financial transactions, and management of facility operations.
I invite you to reach out if you have any questions or concerns, as I consistently strive to deliver the high-quality professional services which make Gates of Heaven your spiritual home in our community. You may reach me at josh@cgoh.org. I look forward to getting to know you and your family.
Tammy Van Valkenburgh
Administrative Assistant
Email Tammy
Elisa Harrington-Verb
Hospitality & Engagement Coordinator
Email Elisa
