Board
Ner Tamid is a synagogue that believes everyone has something important to contribute. We not only seek out leaders, but we develop leaders in a warm and loving environment where people love to contribute to the best of their abilities and are cherished. We form lay leadership teams around our priorities and challenges. Let us know where you can help.
Max Ader
President
Max joined Ner Tamid in 2015. Born & raised in Brooklyn, New York, he moved to San Diego over 25 years ago, via Iowa.
Many congregants have met his daughter, Bailey, her brother Myer, and his wife Debra at Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat. He is a scientist at Eli Lilly and a lifecycle photographer. Max enjoys walking on the beach with the family dogs, Peanuts & Boujee, playing poker, and cooking. Ask him about his smoked salmon that might be at the next poker and schmoozing get together.
He can be reached at max@maxader.com
MARK BAKER
Past-PRESIDENT
With over 36 years in the architecture field, Mark has worked on a broad range of projects and enjoys the challenges and rewards that each one of them bring. He and his wife Janice have lived in Rancho Bernardo for 34 years where they’ve raised 3 kids who are now grown and out on their own. His other interests include golf, exercise, woodworking, painting, gardening and being very active in his synagogue. Mark always brings a positive attitude to the work environment, even on Monday mornings!
Gary Abenaim
Executive VP
Gary and his wife, Negin and joined Ner Tamid in 2018 because they were looking for a temple and a community that was warm and welcoming, and where it was easy to connect with fellow Jews. They were also looking for a place where their two children would learn about their Jewish heritage and make lifelong friends. They found exactly that at Ner Tamid.
San Diego has been the Abenaim home for the last ten years. Gary is originally from Canada where he was raised in a Morrocan Sephardic, french speaking household.
His spare time revolves around sports, particularly tennis, hockey and golf. Before taking on the role he has now Gary began on the Ner Tamid Board as the VP of Education because he believes it is a privilege to see young members embrace their Jewish identity and their thirst for knowledge.
LILIANE EICHENBAUM
VP OF RITUAL
Liliane Eichenbaum was born in Marrakech, Morocco to a Sephardic Orthodox family. After completing Pharmacy school at the University of Strasbourg,France she emigrated to Israel and lived in Jerusalem, Natanya, and Hadera for three and a half years. Liliane speaks French, Moroccan Arabic, Hebrew, and English. After marrying an American in Israel, she moved to Saint Joseph, Michigan and became a member of a conservative synagogue.
Liliane became VP of Ritual from 1996 to 2013. During that time, she also served as " Shlicha Tsibur" שליחה ציבורית. In that role, she lead services on Shabbat and festivals in the absence of the Rabbi. She also taught Hebrew school and prepared children for Bar and Bat Mitzvah.
In June 2013, she and her husband retired and moved to San Diego to join their two children and two granddaughters. They have been members of Ner Tamid and Liliane accepted the position of VP of Ritual in January, 2020.
Myla Kelly
Recording Secretary
Myla is currently serving the Ner Tamid community as the Recording Secretary of the Board. She joined Ner Tamid Synagogue in 2004.
Born in San Bernardino, California, Myla is a third generation native Californian. She grew up in Pasadena, California, completed her Bachelors degree at Point Loma Nazarene University, her Master’s degree at San Diego State University, and she has been married to Kenneth W. Kelly since 1977.
Myla has served as the San Elijo Campus Librarian for MiraCosta College since 1988.
Diana Finkelstein
Member At Large
Diana Finkelstein is one of newest Board members, having joined Ner Tamid with her husband, Sol, in 2015. Originally from Canada, Diana has resided in the San Diego area for almost 40 years, raising two daughters and acquiring two sons in law and one granddaughter in the interim.
A retired nurse, she enjoys painting, reading, Mahjong and dining out. Seeing a need for an empty nesters group at Ner Tamid, Diana started a Gourmet Group two years ago which has been going strong ever since.
Gerry Weitz
VP, Finance
Gerry came to San Diego in 1999 from the NY/NJ area with his wife, Karen, and two sons (now grown and married). Gerry and Karen have been members of Ner Tamid since 2016.
Gerry comes to the board of directors with a diverse background. He has been the owner/operator of a regional pest control company serving Southern California since 2002. Previously, Gerry worked as a computer business analyst and manager for Fortune 50 companies over a 20 year span. Previous to that, Gerry received his Masters in Social Work for Washington University, St. Louis and worked in the field of addictions and family counseling for 5 years.
Gerry lived in Israel periodically during the 1970s and enjoys speaking several languages.
Feel free to email Gerry at: hearts_pest@yahoo.com.
Alexander Mandel
VP of Education