Our Clergy, Staff and Lay Leaders

Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt, ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary and recognized by the Forward as one of the “32 most inspiring rabbis,” has not only radically transformed Adas Israel and led it to a period of unprecedented success, but her influence extends far beyond the pulpit. As a key figure in spiritual leadership and national Jewish and interfaith engagement, she has welcomed two sitting U.S. presidents and numerous world leaders into our community, facilitating meaningful dialogue between them and the broader Jewish community. She has officiated at significant national events, including the funeral of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (z”l), a historic moment that held the nation in mourning, and has been featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine, and The Forward, and was honored on the “Forward 50” list. A proud senior fellow of the Schusterman Fellowship and a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet at JTS, she also serves on the national board of Avodah and the joint steering committee of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). At Adas, she has revitalized our caretaking (Hesed) and bereavement efforts, co-created the acclaimed MakomDC adult learning curriculum, launched wildly successful worship services, and directs the Jewish Mindfulness Center of Washington, recognized as a top innovative Jewish project. Previously, she served as the Hillel Foundation Director of Campus Initiatives, Associate Rabbi at Yale University Hillel, and was a rabbinic fellow at B’nai Jeshurun in New York. Rabbi Holtzblatt is married to Ari Holtzblatt, and they have two children, Blumah and Elijah. Rabbi.Holtzblatt@adasisrael.org.

Rabbi Aaron Alexander served for ten years as Associate Dean and Lecturer in Rabbinic and Jewish Law at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where he also received his ordination. He is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading authorities on Halacha (Jewish law)--he has long sat on the prestigious Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) for the Conservative movement, the governing body determining Jewish law and practice for our entire movement. Currently he is the Chair of the Kashrut Subcommittee on the CJLS. Rabbi Alexander served on the Board of Jews United for Justice, was appointed as a Rabbi Samuel T. Lachs Fellow of LEAP, a joint program of the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and Clal-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. He now serves on the Leadership Circle of One America, the D.C. Attorney General’s Faith-Based Advisory Committee, and the City Council’s Interfaith Working Group. Among his achievements here at Adas, Rabbi Alexander has elevated our Social Action work to a high level of recognition throughout the Washington, DC community, and has reinvigorated our adult learning, bringing it to a level and quality that now serves as a model for synagogues across the country. Rabbi Alexander and his wife, Rabbi Penina Alexander, have three young sons, Ariel, Eliav and Amos. Rabbi.Alexander@adasisrael.org

Rabbi Sarah Krinsky received her ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in the spring of 2018, and holds a BA from Yale University. Most recently, she served as the Rabbinic Fellow at B’nai Jeshurun in New York City, where she co-led a wide variety of musical prayer services throughout the year for adults, families, children, and teens. She also managed the synagogue’s conversion process, and was involved in teaching, counseling, and mentoring Jews by choice. Her work with teens and young adults included teaching and curriculum development for religious schools, B’nai Mitzvah preparation, and summer camp. Rabbi Krinsky has served as a member of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Social Justice and Public Policy Staff, and a Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. She has developed social justice programming, including community engagement opportunities, for all age groups. She is the recipient of several awards from UJA and JTS. Rabbi Krinsky is thrilled to be part of the Adas Israel community along with her husband, Rabbi Daniel Novick. Rabbi.Krinsky@adasisrael.org

Barry Feil, Executive Director, joins the Adas Israel family with a passion for building and celebrating communities, for educating and engaging, and for creating incredible experiences. With a 35-year career in the nonprofit and event sectors, including previously serving as the CEO of Celebrate Fairfax, Inc, as Director of Special Events at Virginia Tech, and almost 15 years in building and event operations at The George Washington University (GW), Barry most recently launched Foundation Events ECC, a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit capacity-building and management consulting services agency to support community-focused organizations and businesses. Barry holds a Master of Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida and first came to the DC area to earn his undergraduate degree from GW. He has been a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences, has been an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University since 2006, and successfully completed the 3-year senior executive symposium program jointly produced by the International Association of Venue Managers and Cornell University. Along with his professional experiences, Barry is most proud to be a part of a smaller community: his family, including his wife Julia, their children Claire and Ethan, and their very spoiled pug, Lexie. Barry.Feil@adasisrael.org.

Beth Heifetz, President

Bio Coming Soon

Ian Halpern, Vice President of Administration

As unlikely a synagogue officer as there could be, Ian grew up in New York. He is quite sure his Hebrew school teachers (and principal) would plotz if they could see him now. An active congregant, member of the Board of Directors and Co-chair of the Gan HaYeled Director Search Committee and member of several others, Ian and his family are incredibly thankful to call Adas their Jewish home.  Ian is the co-founder of Larkspur Energy Group and lives in  Washington, D.C. with his partner, Sarah Wildman, and their two daughters both graduates of the Gan.  

Alan Ronkin, Vice President of Development & Financial Affairs

Bio Coming Soon

Sarah Dovere, Vice President of Education & Youth

Bio Coming Soon

Emilie Hyams, Assistant Secretary

Bio Coming Soon

Andrew Ackerman, Assistant Treasurer

Bio Coming Soon

Elected Board Members

Life Board Members