About Us

The Temple has convened a new Pulpit Committee to lead the search for our next Settled Rabbi, who will succeed Interim Rabbi Kari Tuling following her tenure as our Transition Rabbi. Rabbi Tuling’s role extends beyond leading our congregation through this transitional period. She is also helping us thoughtfully consider our vision for the future, including the type of clergy and spiritual leadership that will best serve Temple Beth David in the years ahead.

As we enter this second phase of our clergy succession plan, in the coming weeks and months, this Pulpit Committee will gather together to determine the needs of our congregation, review resumes, interview candidates for the position, and ultimately make a recommendation to the Board as to who will be best suited to lead our congregation as we make the transition to having new clergy for the first time in a generation.  The confidential closed committee is co-chaired by Becky Camera and Steven Sarisohn; both of whom currently serve on the TBD executive committee as vice-presidents.

The Board of Trustees carefully chose the committee members to represent a diversity of interests from within the congregation. The committee members include empty nesters with long-standing ties to TBD as well as those who became members of our Temple more recently and have children attending religious school. Past presidents of Brotherhood and Sisterhood and leaders of Mitzvah Day also comprise the committee.

Here are the bios of the Pulpit Committee members:

Becky Camera: I am Becky Camera and am very excited to co-chair the Pulpit Committee. I am an active member of the Temple-I am a member of the Executive Board and the Board of Trustees. Additionally, I serve on the following committees: pulpit, religious school, and religious practices. I believe that together, we can continue to grow our congregation.

Randi Chisari: My name is Randi Chisari and I have been a member of TBD for five years. I have three children, all boys; a 10 year old who currently attends religious school, a 14 year- old and a 24 year- old stepson. I have served on the Board nominating and Mitzvah Day committees and, most recently, on the interim rabbi pulpit committee. I have been a high school counselor almost 20 years, and I truly enjoy the work I do. I am very excited to be a part of the pulpit committee and look forward to contributing to our Temple community.

Holly Dornfeld: I’m Holly Dornfeld. My family and I have been temple members for 24 years and I currently serve on the temple’s Board of Trustees. In those 24 years, I have served as sisterhood president as well as every position on the sisterhood board. Presently, I serve as its vice-president. I have chaired several Mitzvah Day projects, served on the temple 50th anniversary gala committee and have served on the committees for multiple fundraising events. Our daughter received her Hebrew name on the bimah of TBD. Our 2 children attended pre-school and celebrated their B’nai mitzvahs here at TBD as well. My husband Dan is very active in the congregation having served both on the Board of Trustees and as president of Brotherhood. We remain dedicated to helping bring TBD toward its bright future.

Ken Marenus: For 40 years my family and I have called Temple Beth David a spiritual home, a place of friendship, comfort and lasting connection. My involvement with our congregation began in1988 as Chair of the Membership Committee. In 1990 at the request of Rabbi Troup, I helped revive a long dormant Brotherhood. Over the years I have either participated or chaired every committee in the Temple. Twice: once from 1996-1998, and again from 2024-2026 I had the honor of serving as President of the congregation. My belief in the strength of this community has kept me deeply connected for all these years. Temple Beth David has been with our family to share moments of joy and at times when comfort and support mattered the most. In a world where technology can sometimes make genuine human connection feel harder to find, our congregation offers something irreplaceable; a place to know one and care for one another and build relationships that last a lifetime.

Robert I. Miller: Although I have been a member of Temple Beth David for 20 years, my wife has called Temple Beth David home for more than 45 years. I am presently a member of Brotherhood and most recently served on the interim rabbi pulpit committee where I utilized my skills as a practicing attorney to help negotiate and draft her contract.

Greg Savran: I am a lawyer with my own practice in Commack. My wife Lisa and our two young boys Landon and Dylan have been members of Temple Beth David for 3 years. Landon currently attends Hebrew School. We have enjoyed participating as a family in the many wonderful events at TBD. I am deeply proud of my Jewish identity, heritage and people and I value the importance of a strong and welcoming Jewish community. I am honored to help select the rabbi who will guide Temple Beth David into its next chapter.

Steven Sarisohn: My connection to Temple Beth David spans two generations. My parents joined Temple Beth David in the 1970’s. I belonged to youth group and our family celebrated the b’nai mitzvahs of both my brother and sister at TBD. Almost 28 years ago my wife Irma and our daughters Katie and Hannah joined the congregation. Over the years we have celebrated 2 b’nai mitzvahs, a wedding, baby naming and sadly, observed the loss of loved ones with the clergy and the friends we have made at Temple Beth David. I have represented the congregation on the Board of trustees and several Board nominating committees, served two non-consecutive terms as Brotherhood president, and helped plan and captain our initial Mitzvah Day activities more than 25 years ago. My involvement in temple life has included sukkah building, purim schpieling, attending Shabbat services on a regular basis, and providing legal advice and services when called upon.

Bonnie Sibener: My family and I have been members of Temple Beth David for over 40 years. My sons started in the 3-year-old nursery school program many years ago. I am a retired Art teacher from Syosset and now have more time to devote to the Temple. I have been an active participant in Mitzvah Day and assistant editor of Hakol. Last year I served on the pulpit committee to help choose our interim Rabbi and am very familiar with the process. TBD has always been there for us during the best and the difficult times. Now more than ever, I want to ensure that our Temple continues to evolve and meet the needs of future generations and our community.

Rachel Vikingstad: Rachel Vikingstad joined Temple Beth David two years ago. She has been an active member since joining – she is the Religious School Committee Chair for this coming school year, a member of the Isaiah 58 Social Action Committee, and the current Chair for Mitzvah Day.

The formal rabbinic search process will begin after the High Holidays. The anticipated timeline includes:

• Submission and review of rabbinic applications
• An initial round of interviews with qualified candidates
• A second round of interviews with those candidates the committee believes are the strongest fit for our congregation
• Selection of a finalist before the end of the calendar year

The committee will identify and submit its preferred candidate to the Board of Trustees for approval. Following the Board’s endorsement the candidate will be brought before the congregation for approval in accordance with our Temple’s governance process.

This is one of the most important responsibilities our congregation undertakes. The committee is committed to conducting a thoughtful, thorough, and confidential search that reflects our shared values and positions for a vibrant future for Temple Beth David. We appreciate your support, patience, and prayers as we embark on this important journey together.