CLERGY

Rabbi Serge Lippe

cantor ayelet porzecanski

Cantor Ayelet Porzecanski

associate rabbi bailey romano

Rabbi Bailey Romano

Morgan Folger

Sarina Elenbogen-Siegel

  • rabbi@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Rabbi Serge A. Lippe is the much-loved spiritual leader and teacher of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. He began his tenure at BHS in July of 1997. Ordained in 1991 at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) he graduated with honors from the University of Chicago with a B.A. degree in Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.

    Prior to joining BHS, he served for six years as Associate Rabbi at Temple Solel in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Rabbi Lippe has also served as faculty member at URJ Camp SWIG and Camp Eisner and has been a regional rabbinic adviser to the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). In May 2016, Rabbi Lippe was awarded his Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, by HUC-JIR in recognition of his 25 years of service in the Reform rabbinate.

    During his 27-year tenure at BHS, the synagogue has grown tremendously both in membership and the expansion of its physical space as well as its impact on the community. He was instrumental in creating BHS’s own well-regarded Preschool, expanding its clergy team to include a full-time Cantor and Assistant/Associate Rabbi, establishing an annual 9th Grade Israel Trip, helping to acquire our dedicated section at Maimonides Cemetery, undertaking a complete renovation of the Synagogue and Sanctuary, and the acquisition of 127 Remsen Street for our expansion.

    Rabbi Lippe has served as a member of the Reform Movement’s Joint Commission on Worship, Music and Religious Living. He is the editor of Birkon Artzi: Blessings and Meditations for Travelers to Israel (CCAR, 2012).

    Rabbi Lippe has served two terms as President of the Brooklyn Heights Interfaith Clergy Association. He initiated the annual synagogue Iftar with the members of Dawood Mosque on State Street, and also helped develop the annual Martin Luther King Jr. weekend with local churches in the neighborhood.

    He is a member of the Advisory Council of the New York State Landmarks Conservancy.

    In 2022, BHS held a gala to celebrate Rabbi Lippe’s 25 years of dedicated service to BHS. More than 300 members attended this wonderful occasion. Click here to see the special video tribute and to see photos from the event.

    He and his wife, Deb Speyer, are native New Yorkers and live in the neighborhood; they have three young adult children.

  • cantor@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Cantor Ayelet Porzecanski was born in Canada to Uruguayan emigrant parents who raised her on the coast of British Columbia. At age 17, she entered the University of Toronto where she obtained her Bachelor of Music degree. She was a recipient of a Merit Scholarship to further her education at the Manhattan School of Music where she earned her Master of Music degree.

    What followed was a 7-year performance career in a wide range of musical styles - from early music to opera. Cantor Porzecanski has appeared in leading roles in Puccini's "Madamma Butterfly", Mozart's "le Nozze di Figaro" and "Cosi fan tutte," and Rossini's "la Cenerentola". She has sung with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Kurt Masur, recorded major motion picture soundtracks, and performed with early music groups, among them Early Music New York, (dir. by Frederick Renz).

    In 2004, Cantor Porzecanski began her Cantorial studies in Israel and continued at the Jewish Theological Seminary in the H.L. Miller Cantorial School. She received her Investiture and Masters in Jewish Music in May of 2008. After graduation, she became the Cantor of West End Synagogue in Manhattan, where she served for 11 years.

    In July of 2019, Cantor Porzecanski became the cantor of the vibrant Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. At BHS, Cantor Porzecanski collaborates closely with our rabbinic team to bring her extensive music training, her deep experience as a Cantor, and her focus on education and torah to help shape the future of our growing BHS community. Cantor Porzecanski enriches services and brings joy in song and prayer to the entire community, singing in Ladino, Yiddish, and Hebrew.

    Cantor Porzecanski lives in New York City with her husband, Aric Grooms, and is mother to four beautiful children: Marlene, Anatalya, Rafael, and Chloe.

  • rabbiromano@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Rabbi Bailey Romano is the newest member of our clergy team, joining Brooklyn Heights Synagogue in 2023.

    She grew up Catholic outside of New Orleans, LA, and chose Judaism while attending Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. She studied American Jewish History at HUC-JIR in Cincinnati, OH before beginning her rabbinic studies. After her ordination in 2019, she served as the Director of Education at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria, VA. As our Associate Rabbi, she works closely with our ECE and Religious School staff, supports our teens by teaching in Hebrew High, supporting our teen youth group, BHGSY, and bringing teens on trips to DC, Israel, and beyond. Rabbi Romano helps families connect with each other through our B’Mitzvah family programs, Shabbat B’Yachad services, and more. You can regularly find her leading Chavurah or teaching Adult Education classes on Hebrew, Jewish texts, or history. Together with an amazing band and our cantorial intern, she leads The Other Friday Night, our service for Jews and their partners in their 20s-40s. She loves getting to know our members of all ages over coffee and helping them to find belonging in our community and meaning through Jewish living.

    When she’s not at BHS, she enjoys singing with her spouse, Ben Romano, and spending time with their cat, Motzi. Rabbi Romano is an avid reader of historical fiction and fantasy novels and loves crafting in her spare time. Among Rabbi Romano’s many wonderful qualities, is her genuine desire to forge relationships, her empathy, and her ability to communicate caring.

  • morgan@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Morgan (she/her) grew up in Sacramento, California, where she was a regular at Congregation B’nai Israel. Her Rabbi and Cantor were incredible teachers and mentors to her, and being a part of such a joyous, welcoming, and caring Jewish community inspired her to become a Rabbi. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in English and Religious Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara, she moved to Santa Rosa, California where she served as the Youth Coordinator at Congregation Shomrei Torah. There she helped to run all youth and religious school programming. Morgan has worked at URJ Camp Newman every summer for the past 10 years, most recently on the Director team running the high school Avodah program. Her time at camp has made her incredibly passionate about creative, joyous, and experiential Jewish education, and reiterated the value of intentional and caring community. 

     

    Following her first year at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem, Morgan moved to Brooklyn to continue her rabbinic studies. She is now in her third year at HUC, and lives in Prospect Park South. In her free time she enjoys hosting Shabbat dinners, exploring the city, seeing live music, and crafting. 

  • sarina@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Sarina Elenbogen-Siegel (she/they) is a third year-cantorial student at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. Before her cantorial studies, she graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s in Jewish Studies in their Jewish Sacred Music pre-cantorial program, with a minor in Hebrew. At IU she served as the director of the award-winning Jewish a cappella group “HooShir”. Sarina has served as a teacher and song leader at Beth Emet the Free Synagogue, Temple Am Shalom, and several other Chicago communities.

    Since her time in cantorial school, Sarina has served as the student cantor at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase, MD and is a Tisch-Star fellow. When she’s not singing and dancing in community, Sarina enjoys writing songs and studying chassidut. She is thrilled to be a part of the amazing team and congregation of Brooklyn Heights Synagogue.

STAFF

linda harvey

Linda Harvey

Lisa Kopel

Lisa Kopel

Jenny Powers

lauren broggini

Lauren Broggini

Isabel

Isabelle Siegel

Pam Karlin

karen epstein

Karen Epstein

melis bromberg

Melis Bromberg

Kelly Moskowitz

miriam daly

Miriam Daly

katie rein

Katie Rein

eytan layman

Eytan Layman

Jen Armus

Jen Armus

isabel benebgui-montilla

Isabel Benebgui-Montilla

erik difrisco

Erik DiFrisco

  • lindaharvey@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Linda Harvey has been BHS’s Executive Director since 2021. Previously, she held a variety of senior-level management positions at Brooklyn Law School for more than two decades, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff, and Dean of External Affairs. As COO, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Law School, maintenance of the academic and living facilities, and the information technology, public safety, communications, community affairs, and events departments. She led several multi-million-dollar construction projects and managed an annual budget of $40+ million and 70 staff members. She maintained relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to advance the mission of the organization. She was responsible for hundreds of academic and alumni events, community and alumni outreach, and led its development team raising millions of dollars to support the Law School. Earlier in her career, Linda worked for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, served as the Deputy Coordinator for the New York State Law Enforcement Council, and was a Management Analyst with the federal courts.

    Linda holds an MPA from New York University and a BA from SUNY at Buffalo. She is a lifelong New Yorker and currently lives on the Upper East Side with her husband, Larry. She loves to travel and enjoys spending time with her family, including her two daughters, Alyson and Elizabeth, and granddaughter Chloe.

  • lisa@bhsbrooklyn.org

    A true natural in her role, Lisa’s many years in the Early Childhood Center – where she grew the opportunities for engagement with the youngest members of our community and their families – are invaluable as Director of Membership for all our members. In addition, Lisa taught in the Religious School for many years, so she is familiar with an additional cohort of our community.

    Lisa brings her energy and enthusiasm for fostering a rich love of Jewish life and traditions, expanding our programming, and ensuring that all members find meaningful value in their affiliation with BHS. Prior to her professional experience at BHS, she worked in book publishing, marketing, and promotion, and as a literary agent. Except for the four years she spent at Brandeis University, Brooklyn has always been her home. She lives in Brooklyn Heights with her husband. Both of their sons attended BHS’s Preschool and Religious School.

  • jenny@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Jenny Powers, a BHS member since 2009 became our first Director of Development in July 2024. Jenny brings a strong background in fundraising and communication, as well as excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. She was chief fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for over a decade and has extensive development experience including heading successful fundraising initiatives at her daughter’s schools (Brooklyn Latin and Packer Collegiate). 

    Currently, Jenny serves as a fundraising consultant for a NY philanthropic agency that pairs development executives with non-profits to help them meet their fundraising goals. She holds a BA in Journalism from New York University and has been a contributing writer for many years for Business Insider

    As our first Director of Development, Jenny will be responsible for designing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive development/fundraising program for the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. 

  • adminassistant@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Lauren is the Communications and Development Manager at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. She works closely with the office team to support a wide range of projects and facilitates internal and external communications – including the promotion of all-member programming and events, weekly newsletters (News & Notes), and the development of creative assets and content. She also liaises with service vendors and donor agencies, managing supplemental grant applications and reports, as well as coordinating and tracking internal fundraising and communications. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and has worked in the non-profit space for over six years, carrying out her passion for mental health and community initiatives. Outside of BHS, Lauren enjoys photography, traveling, reading buzzy novels, and exploring the healing arts.

  • socialworker@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Isabelle Siegel is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree at New York University. She holds a B.A. from The American University of Paris. She has been working as a social work intern at the Red Hook Neighborhood School and has many years of experience working with youth as a religious school teacher, camp counselor, and youth group advisor. Her background also includes work as a paralegal with the Legal Aid Society and a workshop and volunteer coordinator with Baytna A Vous at AUP.

  • pam@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Pam Karlin is the Director of Early Childhood Education for BHS. She oversees the Preschool and the Parenting Center, guiding a staff of over 30 educators and administrators in providing educational programming for our community’s youngest members and their families.

    Pam Karlin received her BA from Vassar College and an MFA from Brandeis University. She graduated with departmental honors from Brooklyn College with a Masters in Early Childhood Education, receiving special recognition for demonstrated leadership and commitment to community. After many years working in classrooms as a preschool teacher, she became the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope. She began as Director of Early Childhood Education at BHS in 2013. Pam has also been a member of the adjunct faculty in the Graduate Department of Early Childhood Education at Brooklyn College teaching about Families, Communities and Social Studies in Early Childhood Education. Pam has also presented at conferences on social skills development, and early literacy through play. She brings a particular passion for meaningful Jewish education and active, exploratory curriculum development. Pam comes from a family of teachers and is especially proud of her own family – husband Joshua and her two sons Jacob and Joey and is delighted to mention that Joey is now an early childhood teacher, too.

  • karen@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Karen Epstein is the Assistant Director of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Preschool. She works closely supporting the ECE Director, coordinating and planning various programs and provides assistance for our teaching and administrative staff.

    Karen has an undergraduate degree in Communication Arts and a master’s degree in education. She has taught in the public school system, working with young children with learning differences. Karen is passionate about her work with children, observing as they create, discover, grow, and develop a love of learning.

    Karen joined the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Preschool in 2014, teaching the youngest learners. She has facilitated enrichment programs and developed remote learning curriculums for preschoolers. Karen continues to teach our Kitah Gan religious school class, often a reunion for children and families who attended BHS Preschool and an opportunity to continue their Jewish exploration.

    Karen lives in the Brooklyn Heights area with her son, Coby, a graduate of the BHS Preschool, and their 85-pound golden retriever. In her free time Karen enjoys reading, long walks and discovering new restaurants.

  • preschool@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Melis first walked into BHS in 2004 as a young, eager Preschool parent and has been a part of the community ever since. She grew up on the sunny west coast of Turkey. She received her BS degree in Hospitality Management from Cornell University. Always with a welcoming smile, Melis brings her amazing organizational skills and community spirit to her position as Preschool Operations Coordinator and Registrar.

  • parentingcenter@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Kelly Moskowitz joined the BHS Family in 2022 as a preschool teacher. Her dedication to helping children achieve individual potential success led to her teaching in the classroom for 24 years. She has had the opportunity to do so many things with the larger community at BHS and now embarks on a new journey as Assistant Director for Early Childhood Programs and Events. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family.

  • Miriam Daly is composer/music director/pianist/teaching artist. She’s music-directed over 25 tours for TheaterWorks USA, and she was long time music director of the Off-Broadway smash, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding. She’s worked in numerous theaters in NYC and around the country. and a teaching artist for several NYC organizations. She’s a Core Artist at the Catastrophic Theatre in Houston, TX, having written songs for their shows for over a decade. Other composition credits include: NYU Steinhardt's 4@15 The Far-Out Way To Fly!; Houston Shakespeare Festival: As You Like It; U. of Houston: Blood Wedding, Mother Courage and Her Children & The Snow Queen. As a composer she received The York Theatre’s NEO award. She has appeared as a pianist on an episode of Law And Order SVU. She is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Visit Miriam's website at miriamdaly.com

  • katie@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Katie Rein is the Director of the Religious School and oversees the daily operations of the K-12 afterschool program. She joined the BHS community in 2019. She is passionate about implementing BHS’s versatile Hebrew and Judaics curriculum which caters to the students emerging and individualized needs.

    Katie is originally from Buffalo, New York. She has worked in numerous educational settings both in the US and abroad. Katie completed her Masters in Bilingual/Bicultural Education from Teachers College, Columbia University while living in Harlem. She has also lived in Paris, France; Alexandria, Egypt; Philadelphia, PA; Petah Tikva and Hod Ha Sharon in Israel and many neighborhoods in NYC. Katie received her B.A. from SUNY Binghamton with a dual degree in Arabic and French and dual minors in Spanish and Global Studies.

    When not traveling, Katie can be found hiking with her dog Patches, practicing yoga, skiing, camping, spending time with her nephews, or conversing in one of her 5 languages. Katie loves the outdoors, mindfulness, and walking the streets of New York.

  • religiousschool@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Eytan is the Education Program Administrator at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. He is originally from Maryland and is a huge Philly sports fan. He loves playing frisbee, board games, and reading. Eytan recently spent four months in Israel working for an American High School spring semester program and hopes to make Aliyah in the future.

  • inclusion@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Jen Armus is thrilled to be returning to BHS as our new Inclusion Specialist. Her journey in education spans over 30 years, 15 of which she spent at BHS, dedicating a decade serving as the Assistant Director of the preschool. Jen’s passion for inclusive education stems from her background in special education, a field to which she’s deeply committed. Her academic credentials include a Master’s from the Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto, coupled with a Bachelor of Fine Arts earned from Concordia University. With her wealth of experience and expertise, Jen continues to champion diversity and equity within educational settings, striving to create environments where every student feels valued and supported. Jen’s marriage to Cliff in September of 2020, officiated by Rabbi Serge Lippe, marked the first in-person ceremony during the pandemic. She enjoys spending time at her house on Long Island with Cliff, and her two daughters Madison and Maya and their dog Cassidy.

  • clergyassistant@bhsbrooklyn.org


    Isabel has worked for several synagogues in an administrative capacity for the past seven years assisting rabbis and cantors. She has also taught online English as a Second Language to Spanish speakers and Hebrew to beginners. She is originally from Spain but a New Yorker at heart. Isabel has also lived in Dublin, Ireland ;Netanya, Israel; and Miami, FL. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, volunteering at animal shelters, walking through the streets of New York, and listening to live jazz.

  • erik@bhsbrooklyn.org

    Erik DiFrisco leads our Maintenance and Custodial team here at BHS as our Facilities Manager under the auspices of our outsourced vendor Landmark Management. Erik has years and years of building experience and multiple certifications in fire safety, plumbing, and other infrastructural codes. Erik is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys camping and being with his family and adores his Sphynx kitties.