Rebekka Goldsmith, Interim Spiritual Leader, (she/her) brings more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of creativity, spirituality, and social impact to her current role at Atlanta’s Congregation Bet Haverim. She is honored to join CBH, a community rooted in a legacy of welcoming the fullness of each person’s experience and expression.
In this new, integrated role, Rebekka guides the spiritual, musical, and communal life of the congregation. Her leadership skills will support the ongoing development of CBH's inclusive worship, pastoral care, experiential learning, and community-based musical engagement.
Rebekka was raised as a Conservative Jew, in a family grounded in community service, ḥesed (lovingkindness), and a strong commitment to Jewish tradition and peoplehood. The synagogue founded by her grandparents became a central part of her early life—where she first experienced the power of collective voice and harmony.
I am committed to cultivating a community rooted in compassion, spiritual depth, and collective resilience. I believe in the sacredness of every person and in the transformative power of relationship, ritual, and song. Guided by Jewish tradition and informed by contemporary needs, I strive to nurture a spiritual life of radical belonging that honors both individual journeys and shared responsibility.
Rebekka is a Co-Active Coach certified through the International Coaching Federation. She is a level III instructor of Somatic Voicework, The LoVetri Method™ and is trained in the Partners for Youth Empowerment facilitation model. Rebekka has collaborated with leading Jewish music artists, served as vocal arts consultant for Hadar’s Rising Song Institute, and studied extensively with master vocal improviser Rhiannon. She began her vocal training at age seven with New York-based voice teachers Ron Shetler and Crystal Premo, and pursued acting at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School for the Arts conservatory training program where she graduated with a degree in theater.
musicdirector@cbhatlanta.org | Ext. 8
Book a meeting with Rebekka
Reach out to Rebekka to discuss music-related programming (Shabbats, holidays, britot mitzvah and other life cycle events, classes) or to inquire about chorus performances.
Rabbi Joshua Lesser, Rabbi Emeritus | (he/him) Rabbi Josh is a committed leader for justice and mutual understanding and his work has breathed new life into Jewish tradition. He recently transitioned from Congregation Bet Haverim’s Senior Rabbi to Rabbi Emeritus after 22 years of service. As a catalyst, he supported the creativity, ingenuity, and enterprising spirit of members in their engagement in synagogue life.
He also founded the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity, cofounded the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta, serving as its first Jewish president, and chaired the City of Atlanta’s Human Relations Commission. He sits on the Mayor of Atlanta’s Task Force for LGBT Concerns and was recently awarded the Phoenix Award, Atlanta’s top honor given to its citizens, for his unwavering service to the city. He was the editor of the groundbreaking LGBTQ Torah commentary, Torah Queeries, and was recognized as one of The 36 Most Inspiring Rabbis by the Forward and one of The 100 Most Influential LGBTQ Clergy by the Huffington Post.
Most recently, he co-founded Bridges Faith Initiative, a nonprofit mobilizing the faith community to support just immigration policy and civilian security. He serves as an adjunct professor of Judaism at Agnes Scott College and as a consultant on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. A trained spiritual director, Josh currently works with The OnBeing Project and their Social Healing Fellowship as the Spiritual Director to the fellows and as a spiritual director for Hebrew Union College serving their rabbinical students. He is part of the inaugural Mid-career Rabbinic innovation fellowship at the Center for Rabbinic Innovation.
Josh’s work continues to elevate timely conversations that help communities engage in healing and justice. To respond to the challenges that faith and spiritual leaders have encountered during the pandemic and political disruption, he created two international online forums for clergy to brainstorm, share resources, and offer mutual support. Josh’s leadership experience and focus on social healing help his clients and communities advance their missions, cultivate connection and deepen communal joy.
Hailey Monette, Executive Director, (she/her) brings to CBH a wealth of experience as a successful business owner and dedicated community leader. Over the past six years, she has served CBH in multiple roles, including Event Manager and Program Director. Hailey has currently been the Executive Director for two years and draws on her strong organizational and leadership skills to support and strengthen our community.
A proud resident of Roswell, Hailey shares her life with her wonderful husband, their son—currently studying psychology at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta—and their three beloved pups. Beyond her professional life, Hailey finds joy in event planning, the arts, volunteering, and exploring new places through travel.
execdirector@cbhatlanta.org | Ext. 1
Hailey is an appropriate person for congregants to contact with questions about joining CBH, dues, program planning, our building, our budget, security, BetMail and the website and to offer praise of our CBH staff
Will Robertson, Chorus Director and Bandleader, (he/him) is also the composer or arranger of much of the synagogue's repertoire. Will studied classical double bass, composition and choral conducting at Rice University in Houston and the Kodaly Pedagogical Institute in Hungary, and studied music production at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has been the producer of all of CBH's albums to date.
"The thing I have found most compelling about working with the musicians of CBH is their thirst for fusing all sorts of different sounds in interesting ways," Will says. "We somehow manage to successfully navigate a number of different stylistic roads, merging many varied traditions (Jewish and otherwise) with popular song, world music, ancient chant and all sorts of sounds you'd never expect to hear in a synagogue. I think this musical audacity comes from a unique combination of things: the culture of the congregation; strong and open leadership; a group of singers and instrumentalists with the focus, energy, dedication and desire to work to create something really unique; and, not least, the interpretive spirit of Reconstructionist Judaism. It's an honor and an incredible pleasure to be a part of this group."
Beyond his work at CBH, Will is a sought-after music producer, Grammy-nominated mix engineer, and talented multi-instrumentalist with over two decades of experience in the music industry. He has produced/engineered, performed with, or arranged music for a variety of artists, including David Berkeley, Rebecca Loebe, Eliot Bronson, Ruthie Foster, John Mayer, Lori McKenna, and members of Wilco and the Zac Brown Band. You can learn more at www.willrobertson.com.
wrobertson@cbhatlanta.org
Reach out to Will if you are interested in joining the CBH Chorus.
Cantor Jennifer Duretz Peled, Education Director, (she/her) has been described as creative, passionate, uplifting and as an emotionally moving bringer of ruach (spirit). She has been blessed to work as a synagogue cantor and educational director for over a decade but has been leading spiritual experiences and creating memorable, Jewish moments for much longer. Cantor Jenn says, “The work I do is incredibly rewarding because people allow me into their lives in such personal and meaningful ways. I find holiness in these moments.” She is a big believer that “Judaism should be joyful and full of creativity.” Nothing makes her happier than to create Jewish rituals for what may seem like mundane moments.
Cantor Jenn received her Cantorial S'micha from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and a MA in Jewish Music and Cantorial Studies from Gratz College. She received her BA from the University of West Florida’s School of Music with a degree in vocal performance. Her post-graduate studies brought her to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she was the recipient of the Emma Lou Young Vocal Award for Opera Performance. She also studied at the University of Haifa in Israel where she focused on Hebrew language and Bible as Literature.
Cantor Jenn is a member of the American Conference of Cantors and the Reconstructionist Educators of North America.
She and her husband, Rabbi Matan Peled, live in Decatur after having spent a few years living in Israel. They share their lives with 12 year old twins and a menagerie of animals.
education@cbhatlanta.org | Ext. 6
Cantor Jenn is the appropriate person to contact with questions about the CBH Community School including curriculum, teachers, registration, and anything occurring on the school site.
Cara Levine-Brenner, Ritual and Lifecycle Manager, (they/them/she/her) recently returned to Atlanta after 20+ years up North, where they earned a handful of degrees, including a BA in Literature and English, a MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and their doctoral work is in Counseling and Counselor Education. Cara is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and experienced educator, including 12 years in university classrooms, where they taught courses in Women and Gender Studies, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Education for Social and Cultural Transformation, and Counseling Psychology. While in their doctoral program at Syracuse University, Cara was active in the Disability Studies department and produced scholarship on counselor education, group work, feminist therapy, and sexuality and gender justice. They held a teaching fellowship at Alfred University and a fellowship at the Spector/Warren Fellowship for Holocaust and Human Rights Education. Cara has an additional six years in Jewish Education, teaching Judaics and Hebrew language at the K-8th grade levels. They are passionate about studying Torah and creating and adapting- with utmost respect for halakhah as ever-evolving- inclusive and expansive Jewish rituals, studying Jewish liturgy, and fostering love for Judaism. Cara is learning to sing (thanks to Rebekka), loves to paint, read, and plant, and spend time with their niblings. They are married to Farrell, an extraordinary Public Health professional, writer and blocker for Atlanta Roller derby and Jewish Roller Derby. They are the proud parents of Junie, a gifted feline who knows several commands!
programs@cbhatlanta.org | Ext. 7
Please reach out to Cara with any questions about arranging, creating, and exploring lifecycle events. If you are in need of pastoral care, wish to place someone on our Misheberach list, notify leadership of a death, list loved ones in the annual Yizkor book, arrange for funeral and/or shiva services, are welcoming a child, considering choosing Judaism (conversion), planning to marry, and/or looking to further your adult Jewish education, please contact Cara. They are also passionate about coordinating the Brit Mitzvah program, and working to support and co-create Jewish experiences that are accessible, meaningful, and inclusive. If you need to schedule an appointment with the Director of Music & Spiritual Arts, Rebekka Goldsmith, please email Cara.
Sharon Jackson, Office Administrator | (she/her) Sharon comes to us with a wide-range of experience including a background in both faith communities and administrative work. Sharon has most recently worked in bookkeeping and client accounts for two clinical psychologists. She served over 10 years in several local churches, and is deeply invested in the spiritual journey and how we connect to all that is holy, the Divine, our spirit guides and ancestors. With a doctorate in ministry (DMin), Sharon is delighted to be a part of the wider faith community and holds a deep respect for how anyone finds connection to the Divine on the sacred spiritual path.
Sharon’s passion for organization falls just shy of her passion for her family, her spiritual journey, and love of outdoors. She is also a certified sound healer and is committed to the work of walking with clients on their path of healing through this ancient modality. Sharon is married to Shanna, and they have two boys - Gray & Sam. They have two rescue pups, Lovey Rey and Murphy Wan.
admin@cbhatlanta.org | Ext. 5
Please contact Sharon with questions about member billing; accounts receivable and accounts payable. Also ShulCloud account issues, or the day-to-day functioning of the physical CBH office and property.
Emily Anzalone, Engagement & Programming Coordinator| (she/her) originally from Florida, made Atlanta her home at the start of 2023 after falling in love with the city.
Back in Florida, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida Atlantic University with her BFA in Theatre Performance and a minor in Communications. While at FAU, Emily wore many hats: performer, stage manager, set builder, and vice president of the Alpha Psi Omega theatre honor society, gaining a deep appreciation for collaboration both on and off stage. Since then, she’s worked with a range of event organizers, helping bring gatherings of all sizes to life, from intimate tea parties to large-scale celebrations.
When she’s not acting, you can find her immersed in Atlanta’s vibrant art market scene. She’s passionate about creativity, connection, and building inclusive community spaces. Emily is thrilled to be part of the CBH family and looks forward to contributing her energy and experience to its continued growth.
engagement@cbhatlanta.org | Ext. 3
Emily is the appropriate person to contact with questions regarding zoom, CBH video and sound resources, technical listserv issues, onsite program support, Brit Mitzvah Day of coordination and logistics!
Laurie S., Communications Manager
communications@cbhatlanta.org
Laurie is happy to help if you need to have graphics made for an upcoming CBH event, need an event on the CBH calendar, need something on the CBH website updated, or just want to talk about backyard gardening. She is the appropriate person to contact with questions about CBH branding, website content, email, website and newsletter design, and website glitches.