Staff and Board

Education Director — Zehava Dahan educator@orshalom.org

Zehava Dehan has worked as a Jewish educator in the Bay Area for 25 years, both as a classroom teacher and as an administrator. “For me," she says, "the most exciting aspect of working in a congregational school is the creation of a warm environment through a wide partnership of teachers, parents, and students." Her goal is to use that partnership to develop inquisitive, engaged, caring and happy children who will become lifelong learners and compassionate human beings. This, she says, is "essential and central to the mission and vision of Or Shalom.”

Zehava has worked as department head of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco and as a preschool teacher, as well as a classroom teacher to first- through eighth-graders.

"I learned much from my teachers, more from my colleagues, and most from my pupils." (Yehuda haNasi, in Ta’anit 7a)

Administrator — Lillian Markind admin@orshalom.org

Originally from the Philadelphia area, Lillian has lived in a variety of places including Los Angeles, Pittsburgh PA, Manhattan, San Francisco, and rural Wisconsin. She returned to the Bay Area in 2014 and landed in Brisbane, just a few miles down the road. Formerly in biotech, she took many years off from the professional workforce and became heavily involved in school volunteering, teaching Zumba, and becoming a substitute teacher. She successfully ran for public office in 2016 to be a Trustee of the Brisbane School District in which she is currently the President of the Board for the second year.

She shares her home with her husband Mike Lelivelt, who works in Biotech, and Nora, her step-daughter, who goes to UC Davis.  Together they have David, a Junior in high school and Naomi, entering high school this year! 

Music Director - Mikey Pauker music@orshalom.org

Mikey Pauker (pronounced pow-ker) is a Jewish Folk/World artist from Fairfax, California. Pauker has been described as one of "The 10 Stars Of The New Jewish Music via TIME Magazine. He has released multiple albums including Sim Shalom, Mikey Pauker & The JoyMachine, Extraordinary Love, The Sages EP & ASCENSION. His “Sim Shalom,” Hinei Mah Tov (Eeoohh),” and “Shalom Alecheim” were all featured in the Transcontinental Ruach compilations. Many of his melodies have gained global popularity within all of the major Jewish youth group and summer camp movements. For the past 8 years Mikey has served as music faculty at the National Songleader Boot Camp Conference teaching classes on Jewish embodied practice, music business strategy, and artist development. 

Growing up in Orange County, Mikey’s early experiences at underground shows exposed him to the intense, primal energy of live music, as well as the strong community bonds that form in an authentic and close-knit scene. Inspired by teachers who blend yoga and mystical practices he went to study in Jerusalem, soaking up the hidden teachings of his ancestral lineage. These spiritual dimensions guided his artistic development as he explored ecstatic music festivals and mystical religious traditions. His music implores us all to look within, sit with our darkness, and transform it into light. Mikey’s sound blends elements of folk, reggae, and hip-hop, incorporating English and Hebrew roots into his devotional songwriting. Mikey’s music draws from influences such as early Bob Marley, Van Morrison, and The Police.

Pauker has shared the stage with artists including: Matisyahu, Rebelution, Stephen Marley,  Dovavon Frankenreiter, Ayla Nereo,  The Polish Ambassador, Trevor Hall, Mike Love and others.  Notable performance highlights include Red Rocks, Hullaween, Cali World Fest, Electric Forest, Beloved, Bhakti Fest, and Chant 4 Change on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Mikey is currently the Music Director for the center of Earth Based Judaism: Wilderness Torah. He studied at San Francisco State University majoring in Broadcasting and Electronic Communications with an emphasis in Music Business Management, Law and Radio. Stay connected at www.mikeypauker.com.

Board of Directors

The Board meets monthly to make the decisions that guide our community. The Executive Committee is comprised of the President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer. To place an item on the Board's agenda, contact a member of the Executive Committee.

Or Shalom Board of Directors

FY21, July 1, 2020– June 30, 2021

Officers (Executive Committee)

Janet Jacobs,President    

Judy Olasov, Past President   

Seraph White, Acting Treasurer & Fund Development Chair

Shelley Levine, Secretary  

Jonathan Denholtz, EC Member & At Large

Members

Paul Axelrod, Communications Committee Chair

Meryl Bennan, Membership Committee Chair

Max Bernstein, Member At Large

Jonathan Denholtz, EC Member & At Large

Stacey Leyton, Personnel Committee Chair

Rachelle Resnick, Chesed Committee Chair

Joel Rubinstein, Minhag Committee Representative

Matt Rudoff, Religious School Committee Chair  

Angelique von Halle, Member At Large

Staff Attending Board Meetings

Rabbi Katie Mizrahi

Lillian Markind, Administrator