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Chadeish Yameinu
Jewish Renewal of Santa Cruz
Links to Shabbat Siddurim: Erev Shabbat Shabbat Morning
Board of Directors
Jeremy Powell, Director, President
Membership Chair
Born and raised in Chicago, Jeremy Powell is a union president and middle school teacher in Santa Cruz. After meeting and marrying in Taos, New Mexico, they moved to town 16 years ago. Jessica, an Aptos native, is an acupuncturist and their boys Jackson and Isaac attend public schools in town. The family can be found walking their dogs Tashi and Addy in the woods or by the beach or making music in various bands around the county. Rock On! Shalom!
Shefa Rich, Director, Vice President
Shabbat Committee, Financial Strategic Planning Committee
Shefa Rich is Jewish by choice. She became a member of Chadeish Yameinu in 2012 after her beloved husband Cal Rich's death. She is learning about Jewish Renewal and Chadeish Yameinu from Rabbi Eli and video and books by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.
She loves the CY community because everyone in CY inspires her to develop her inner space, awareness, and ability to find the longing in her heart and soul so that she can live a life with beauty and meaning
Naomi Bayer, Director-at-Large
Naomi Bayer moved to Santa Cruz In 2017 after retiring from a successful career in affordable housing finance and community development. She served as Presidentt of her White Plains NY Reconstructionist Synagogue, Bet Am Shalom. She enjoys yoga, biking, hiking reading, knitting, puzzling, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Mikey Cohen, Director-at-Large
Mikey can often be found with his wife, Myriam, and 3 children, Hadzy, Nitzana, and Ziva by his side at many Chadeish Yameinu events. He spent the last nearly 15 years managing and leading engineering efforts at Netflix, and brings his technical skills and leadership expertise to CY.
In his spare time you can find him playing banjo, wandering the forest looking for mushrooms, or digging in the garden.
Brooke Lipman, Director-at-Large
Brooke and family have been members of CY since 2018, joining because of a heartfelt connection to the community - a connection that reminds her of going to Jewish summer camp. Brooke is from New Mexico and has lived in the Santa Cruz area since 2005. Her grandparents were Jewish farmers in Iowa and she has worked in the organic agriculture field since moving to this area. Brooke currently lives on a small farm in Scotts Valley with her two sons, Marlon and Mose, and their menagerie of cats, dogs, chickens, turkeys, bees and sheep.
Marc Brown, Director-at-Large
Marc C. Brown is a 20 year resident of Santa Cruz, married to Sarah Brown, and father of two children, aged 16 and 12. Following graduation from Columbia University, Marc worked in his family publishing business, BrownTrout Publishers. In 2011 he founded Ohlone Press to manufacture reusable respiratory protective equipment under the trade name, Vogmask. Marc specializes in creative and marketing, and enjoys art, photography, music composition, recording, performing, tennis, skiing, hiking, and all sports.
Larry (Uri) Stone, Director-At-Large
I have been a member of Chadeish Yameinu for almost four years and am delighted to have the opportunity to serve on the Board. Although I do not consider myself religious, my connection to Judaism is deep, as are my feelings for the Jewish people. I have lived in Israel and was there during the Six-Day War, which was a completely life-changing experience. I have dual citizenship with Israel and consider myself a dedicated Zionist. I am also continuing my study of the Hebrew language, and now consider myself semi-fluent in conversational Hebrew.
I was originally drawn to Chadeish Yameinu after meeting Rabbi Eli and experiencing the wonderful quality of the services he leads. I appreciate my growing connection to the members, and very much enjoy the services in our new Shul. Although I am originally from the East Coast, I have been in California for many years, and moved to Santa Cruz eight years ago, with the intention of remaining here. I am also a psychotherapist (MFT) by profession, but I am more or less semi-retired, and am gradually cutting back on the number of hours I work. I look forward to continuing to grow my connection to our wonderful community.
Rachelle Kenny, Director-at-Large
Rachelle and her family have been members of Chadeish Yameinu 2019. Rachelle has a varied Jewish background. Having enjoyed the rich rituals of her conservative (slightly orthodox grandparents), her reform education, and Jewish summer camp she ended up teaching both religious school and Hebrew school during and after college. Rachelle also participated in Project OTZMA, which was a year long community service/volunteer program in Israel. The unique experiences she had during this year helped inform her perspective and shape her Jewish identity. By trade she is both a special education teacher and a certified Nutrition Consultant. However, at this time she is focused on homeschooling her daughter. Rachelle lives in Boulder Creek with her husband, their two children Nathan and Norah, and their sweet pup, Nova. In her spare time she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, sewing and crafting.