Professional Staff
Clergy Administrative Staff
Executive Director Shai Habosha
I would like to introduce myself, my name is Shai Habosha I am your new Executive Director here at B’nai Aviv.
I am originally from a small town in Israel called Arad (by the Dead Sea). As a child my family moved to Philadelphia and then back to Israel a few years later. I eventually made my way back to the U.S. more than 20 years ago as an Executive Chef and lived in Arizona. My career then led me to Miami, FL and worked in South Beach.
After meeting my wife Janel I decided to change my career and worked for 12 years as the Director of Operations, for the Michael-Ann Russell JCC in North Miami Beach. Three years ago I got an incredible opportunity to work as the Executive Director for Temple Beth El of Hollywood, which was an amazing experience.
My family and I are extremely humbled and honored to now be a part of the B’nai Aviv family. Joining me are my wife Janel and my two children Idan, 12 years old and Byanca, 9 years old.
We look ahead to many years of success and happiness in this kehillah (community) and look forward to meeting you here at B’nai Aviv!
Ritual Director Leanna Blacher
Leanna’s entire Jewish life has lead her to this position. Growing up in Tampa, Florida, she attended Jewish day school for elementary school. She began reading torah at the age of 9. She became an active participant in her synagogue with regular torah reading. After reaching bat mitzvah age, Leanna was a regular service leader as well. She took a leading role in youth groups from a young age, and was religious vice president and chapter president for USY. She attended camp Ramah in Palmer, Massachusetts for several years. She then went on to participate in the Nativ program, spending her first year of college in Israel. After that year abroad, she worked at Ramah Darom as a counselor in their inaugural year. Once she returned home, she attended University of Florida for undergraduate and graduate schools, receiving a bachelors of science in Agriculture and a masters degree in Landscape Architecture. While at University of Florida, Leanna was active in Hillel and was the regular service leader for the conservative services on Friday nights. She also attended the conservative synagogue in Gainesville, Florida, and was a regular torah reader there, and also tutored privately for bnai mitzvot. After working in the field of Landscape architecture in south Florida for 5 years, Leanna switched careers and moved with her husband Abie to New York City to study culinary arts at the French Culinary Institute. She worked in many different restaurants and food settings while in New York. Leanna and Abie started a family 4 years later and moved back to south Florida to continue growing their family. Leanna started a private catering company which led to other creative interests. After learning soapmaking as a hobby, she turned her bath and body products into a popular local business, The Soapy Chef, which she began in 2015. Leanna and Abie and their 3 children have been members of Bnai Aviv for nearly a decade. Her children attended ECEC and are continuing their Jewish education with religious school. Leanna has been an active executive board member, a member of multiple search committees, and a regular torah reader. You can find Leanna, Abie, Noah, Boaz, and Esther nearly every Shabbat in services. They currently live with their 2 rescue dogs, Ginger and Pepper, in Cooper City.
Director of Lifelong Learning - Elizabeth Singer
Elizabeth (Liz) Singer had a typical upbringing with in the conservative movement in St. Louis, Missouri. She was involved with youth group and attended religious school, which eventually transitioned into a classroom teaching role. Following high school she enrolled in Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, where she was awarded a degree in Theater and a minor in Political Science. College was a time of exploring a variety of interests, these included becoming very involved in Israel advocacy. Due to her interest in political advocacy, and in nonprofit professional work she pursued a Master degree from Saint Louis University in Social Work with an emphasis on community organizing. Following this Liz spent a total of three years in long-term programs in Israel, including two years at Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. Upon her return to the United States she worked in the Jewish community in variety of educational roles, including coordinating a an anti-stigma program through Jewish Family & Children's Service, as well as serving as Director of congregational schools in both the reform and conservative movements. As it became clear that Liz's interest in Jewish Education had been a consistent thread throughout her professional life, she began to take classes at the Davidson School of Education at JTS. She was awarded a Master's in Jewish Education with two concentrations; Leadership within Synagogues and Communal Settings, and Israel Education.
Now that Liz has found her home at B'nai Aviv, she looks forward to integrating a variety of learning modalities to pull meaning out of the ancient texts so students can draw connections to their lives today. Showing students the scope of all the wisdom that Judaism has to offer will help work towards the goal that B'nai Aviv serves as the hub of Jewish learning and Jewish life in the area.
Liz can be reached at Liz@bnaiaviv.org or 954-384-8265.
Early Childhood Education Center Director Mindy Bernstein
Mindy has been working in the Early Childhood Program for over 20 years. Mindy has a B.A. in Elementary Education, Special Needs and a director’s credential including VPK from the State of Florida. Mindy’s formal education offers her a unique approach to early childhood education by allowing her to meet the educational and developmental needs of each child. Mindy enjoys making a difference in the lives of so many young children and their families. She feels so fortunate to be able to do what she loves by sharing her passion for early childhood education with everyone within the B’nai Aviv family.
Mindy can be reached at Mindy@bnaiaviv.org or 954-384-6605.
Youth Director Todd Morchelies
Todd has served in this position since 2006. He began his career as Youth Director of Temple Sinai of Hollywood in 1995 and served in this position for ten years. Prior to his start at B’nai Aviv, Todd was the Youth and Camp Director at Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus. Todd has extensive experience with many types of children's programs including after-school programs, camps,and elementary schools. Todd had also been the Program Director for the Kadima and USY Leadership Training Institute (LTI) at Camp Blue Star in North Carolina and Camp Ramah Darom in Georgia for ten years.
Having worked with children and teenagers for many years, Todd presents himself in a manner that relates to the young person's mind and sociological atmosphere. At the same time, he sets the proper example of what a child or teenager should follow. Todd's relationship with "his" kids enables him to become close with them and to develop a feeling of trust and love throughout their growing years.
Todd enjoys working in a Jewish atmosphere which enables him to learn and progress through life obtaining Judaic knowledge. He had been brought up in a conservative Jewish atmosphere by observing the laws and taking part in many Jewish experiences while growing into adulthood. He was Junior Congregation President at Adath Yeshurun Synagogue in North Miami Beach and then proceeded to become the Supervisor. While in his high school years, he took part in USY activities, attended conventions, and made many new friends.
Todd has many hobbies of which mostly relate to the arts. He enjoys photography, singing, acting, and any other type of performing. He has performed on Karaoke stages in front of large audiences, most recently as a finalist in the main theater of a Royal Caribbean Cruise in front of over 2,000 people. He grew up mostly taking part in many athletic activities ranging from Basketball, Softball, Football, and Street Hockey.
Todd has been married to Lisa Bloom-Morchelies since November of 2000. The couple has a daughter Alexa and a son Ryan.
Todd can be reached at Todd@bnaiaviv.org or at 954-349-1879.
Executive Director Emeritus Allan Ross
