Rabbi Joshua Ben-Gideon:
Rabbi Joshua Ben-Gideon joined our community as its spiritual leader in 2008.  His family's connection to Madison dates back almost a century as his maternal grandparents each attended the University of Wisconsin in the 1930's. Also, his sister is a recent graduate.  You might see him around town swimming at the YMCA, buying kosher chicken at Trader Joe's, or being Abba (father) with his children at the Gan HaYeled preschool or the Madison Jewish Community Day School.  For his full bio click here.

Adult Education Consultant Rabbi Rebecca Ben-Gideon:
Rabbi Rebecca Ben-Gideon is no stranger to the Midwest, having spent the first half of her childhood in Bloomington, Indiana, where her family belonged to a congregation much like Beth Israel Center. A graduate of Harvard and the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Ben-Gideon has taught students across the country and has served on the faculties of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, the Jewish Youth Philanthropy Institute, and George Mason University.  She takes great joy in creating opportunities for adults to enrich their spiritual and intellectual lives through Jewish study, and enjoys both teaching classes and guiding the Adult Jewish Learning program at BIC.  Together with her husband, Rabbi Joshua Ben-Gideon, she is in the process of coaching their three children to say “Go, Badgers!” with proper Wisconsin pronunciation and spirit.
Contact Rabbi Rebecca Ben-Gideon

Education Director Beth Cohn Copelovitch:
Beth Cohn Copelovitch was raised in Falls Church, VA in a family that valued and continues to value Judaism and a strong connection to the Jewish community.  After many afternoons, Shabbatot and Sundays at Congregation Olam Tikvah, and many, many, many weekends at USY conventions, she attended Brandeis University and graduated with a BA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies.  Beth received her Masters in Jewish Education from the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, where she served as president of the Graduate Student Organization and the commencement speaker for her class.  Beth worked as a kindergarten and 1st grade Hebrew and Jewish studies teacher at Cohen Hillel Academy in Marblehead, MA, as well as many other positions in religious schools, camps and youth groups throughout the country (okay, really only the East coast!). Beth is married to Mark Copelovitch, whom she met at a USY convention long, long ago and they have two children, Micah and Dafna.
Contact Beth Copelovitch

Program & Youth Director Deborah Hoffman:
Deborah has dedicated much of her professional life to Jewish youth since her own teenage years at a synagogue in Columbus, Ohio.  She attended Camp Ramah in Wisconsin as a camper, and worked there as a counselor and later graduated from UW-Madison.  At Beth Israel Deborah oversees the youth groups, MOUSY and Kadima, and is the MOUSY advisor.  On Shabbat morning, she leads our Junior Congregation for 3rd through 7th graders and teaches our 6th and 7th grade classes about the Shabbat morning service.  She guides the youth leadership as they plan and execute projects, translating Jewish values into practice, and mentors the youth membership to develop pragmatic life skills and a strong Jewish identity, as they become future leaders of the Jewish community.
Contact Deborah Hoffman

Administrative Director Aimee Powalisz:
As Administrative Director of Beth Israel Center, Aimee Powalisz manages our offices and building, coordinates events and volunteers, and is usually the first voice you hear when you call the shul. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Aimee has worked for Beth Israel Center since 1999.  She has helped families navigate the road to successful wedding receptions and b’nai mitzvah kiddushim, and as a member ex officio of the Membership committee has answered many questions about how to become a member of Beth Israel Center. 
Contact Aimee Powalisz

Librarian Stefanie Rose:
A Milwaukee native and long time Beth Israel Center member, Stefanie has had the privilege of caring for the Rosenberg Library since 2005.  She strives to develop and maintain a balanced collection of the best in Judaic texts and films, and to make library materials and information accessible in a variety of formats.  She has a special interest in Jewish visual history and the preservation of film and photographs. Stefanie holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Washington, and is a member of the Association of Jewish Libraries, the American Library Association, the Wisconsin Library Association, and the Society of American Archivists.
Contact Stefanie Rose