Our Rabbi & Staff

Rebecca Gutterman, Rabbi

rabbigutterman@tbdcheshire.org

Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman, a native of Providence, RI, is thrilled to return to her New England roots. She has served several congregations from West Coast to East since her ordination from Hebrew Union College in 2004. At each of them, Rabbi Gutterman fulfilled a range of pulpit, pastoral, educational, and communal duties while also collaborating on unique programs like Shabbat on Stage -- bringing teens, Judaism, and the arts together -- Havdalah Happenings, and The Jewish Night of Why.

Throughout her years of compassionate leadership, Rabbi Gutterman has learned she is never happier than when leading tot Shabbat and family services, working with b'nai mitzvah and confirmation students, or leading adult study. Rabbi Gutterman loves creating opportunities for people to find their own Jewish voice and ways for our tradition to speak most powerfully to them.

A passionate writer, Rabbi Gutterman's works have been featured in The Sacred Calling: Four Decades of Women in the Rabbinate, "Voices of Torah," and several blogs through the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis). Rabbi Gutterman and her husband Michael Simons are the proud parents of their child, Jonah.

Rabbi Gutterman is deeply grateful and excited to call Temple Beth David her new spiritual community. Its warmth, vitality, and sense of family are a true inspiration to her. Rabbi Gutterman looks forward to meeting and building relationships with all Temple Beth David members. Please contact the Temple office or email the Rabbi to find a time for coffee and conversation!

Stephanie Frank, Office Administrator

office@tbdcheshire.org

Stephanie, our Office Administrator, is the friendly face that greets you when you enter TBD. She manages administrative duties and collaborates with our rabbi, our Board of Directors and our committees. If you have questions on upcoming worship services and events, financial matters, lifecycle events and more, please contact Stephanie. She will get you the answers that you need!

Stephanie grew up in Kettering, Ohio and lived in Orlando and Atlanta before settling in Cheshire with her husband and daughter.  She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA from Rollins College.  Stephanie worked as a Logistical Planner for a large corporation before deciding to leave for TBD in hopes of a better work/life balance. In her free time she enjoys traveling, playing pickleball, and spending time with friends and family and her two adopted cats, Milo and Millie.

Emily Kurz, Director of Education

education@tbdcheshire.org

Emily was born and raised in Cheshire, CT and has been a part of the Temple Beth David community for her entire life. After graduating high school, Emily attended Keene State College in New Hampshire. While there, she received a BS in Elementary Special Education and a BA in Sociology. She further continued her education at Boston College, where she earned a Master's
Degree in Social Work.

About 6 years ago Emily moved back to Cheshire and immediately began teaching in our religious school. When not working at TBD, you can find Emily working as a social worker in a Family Based Recovery program. She loves spending time with her family, especially her three nephews and two nieces, as well as with her dog, Gus! She is thrilled to have taken the role of Director of Religious Education and looks forward to sharing her passion for Jewish learning with the next generation.