Meet Our Staff
Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein
- Pastoral and Spiritual Care & Service Leadership
Email: rabbidiane@neveikodesh.org
Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein (she/hers) is an ordained rabbi through ALEPH, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal. She received a Masters of Jewish Education from Hebrew College, and completed ALEPH's Davennen' Leadership Training Institute.
Before joining the Spiritual Leadership Team and Religious School staff at Nevei Kodesh in 2020, she served as rabbi for two progressive communities in Europe: Chawurah Gescher in Freiburg (Germany), and Migwan in Basel (Switzerland).
Rabbi Diane holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies and International Politics from Princeton University, and an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Born in San Francisco, she spent time in Stockholm, Sweden as a child and in Beijing, China as an undergraduate. In addition to her part-time position at Nevei Kodesh, she also works as a freelance rabbi in Europe and the United States with an emphasis on education, pastoral care and spiritual direction.
Rabbi Diane is a member of Haver, the Rabbinic Council of Boulder, Colorado and of the Rocky Mountain Rabbis and Cantors (RMRC), based in Denver. She is also a member of OHALAH, the Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal, and the General Rabbinical Council of Germany – Allgemeine Rabbiner Konferenz (ARK).
Rabbi Diane's Website: www.rabbiwithin.org
Hazzan Shayndel Adler
- Director of Family Life & Service Leadership
Email: school@neveikodesh.org
Hazzan Shayndel Adler (she/hers) is an ordained cantor through ALEPH, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal; is an ordained Kohenet through the Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute and also completed ALEPH's Kol Zimra Chant Leader Training and the Davennen' Leadership Training Institute.
She has served as a cantor for approximately eleven years in Reform, Renewal, and Conservative congregations, and has been an educator and an administrator in Jewish and secular settings in California for over twenty-six years.
Hazzan Shayndel holds a BA in Liberal Studies/Elementary Education, and a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from Humboldt State University. She is also a trained Waldorf Educator, a teacher of the School of Uncovering the Voice, and is a certified holistic health practitioner with an emphasis on spiritual healing and sound meditation.
She joined Nevei Kodesh in 2021 and has supported the religious school's ongoing growth and development in a safe and welcoming environment that encourages connection, joy, curiosity, creativity, and deep and meaningful learning.
In addition to her work at Nevei Kodesh, Hazzan Shayndel also gives singing lessons and sound healings, and is an education consultant/supervising teacher for a homeschooling charter school.
Hazzan Shayndel's Website: https://www.shayndeladler.com/
Rabbi Tirzah Firestone
- Rabbi Emerita
Contact: www.tirzahfirestone.com/contact
Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, Ph.D., our founding rabbi, is now Rabbi Emerita. Reb Tirzah is a renowned teacher, author and Jungian therapist. She speaks and teaches locally and nationally on the topics of spirituality, ancient mystical wisdom for the modern soul, the re‐integration of feminine wisdom into the Jewish tradition, and ancestral healing. Ordained by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi in 1992, she is a leader in the international Jewish Renewal movement.
Her publications include "With Roots in Heaven", "The Receiving: Reclaiming Jewish Women’s Wisdom", and "Wounds Into Wisdom: Healing Intergenerational Trauma".
Rabbi Tirzah leads services from time to time, and offers workshops on the modern applications of ancient wisdom, and how to transform old patterns into new blessings for the world.
Rabbi Tirzah's Website: www.TirzahFirestone.com
Ba'alat Tefilah Michelle Wolf
- Service Leadership
Email: bt-michelle@neveikodesh.org
Ba’alat Tefilah (Master of Prayer) Michelle Wolf is a lifelong vocalist with experience in a range of genres: classical, jazz, a cappella, and sacred liturgy. She is most on-purpose when leading Jewish prayer and chant, using her voice and presence to open hearts and help others connect to Source.
Michelle served as cantor for Nevei Kodesh under our founding spiritual leader, Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, during 11 cycles through the calendar. For her mastery as Jewish liturgist, Michelle was honored with a Certificate of Empowerment by Rabbi Firestone and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (z’’l) and granted the titles Ba’alat Tefilah and Shlichat Tzibbur (2011).
Michelle coaches youth in B’nai Mitzvah education and regularly leads services for Shabbat, High Holidays, and other holidays and rituals throughout the Jewish year. CD releases include PrayerSongs with Bat Kol (sacred Jewish music), and Love Café with IRIS (women’s a cappella).
Educated at Stanford University (BA, History), Columbia University’s Teachers College, Middlebury College (MA, French), and ALEPH’s Davvenen’ Leadership Training Institute. Ongoing studies include: parenting two young adult sons, deepening relationship with a committed life partner, and the blessings of family, friends, and community.
Ba’alat Tefilah Michelle's Website: MichelleWolfLife.com
Jonathan Morse
- Synagogue Administrator
Email: Jonathan@neveikodesh.org
Jonathan is our new Synangogue Administratior, and brings many years of leadership experience, both in for-profit, and non-profit organizations.
His career began in his family's business, selling typewriters and office equipment. From there, he went on to build his own computer and network services company, which became a great success, allowing him to focus on his passion for working with charities and non-profits.
As President of the Board of Congregation Temple Emanu-El (Reno, NV) his responsibilities included member engagement and organizational sustainability.
He loves exercise, exploring the Rockies, and celebrating the lives of his children and grandchildren.
Bruno Treves
- Communications Manager and Tech Assistant
Email: communications@neveikodesh.org
Bruno Treves was born and raised in a small Jewish community in Patagonia. He graduated from San Diego State University with a double degree in Economics and International Business, and Marketing. During the past 10 years, Bruno has been devoted to his holistic health and wellness business, and deepening his spiritual practice.
Bruno shares, "I feel blessed to be part of Nevei Kodesh, and in service to the community. My experience here has been great since day one. Working here has already renewed my love for Judaism, as well as my interest to study Torah and Kabbalah.
My wish is to do my best with whatever is needed, and to continue to learn about the wisdom, teachings, and practices that guided our ancestors."
Aside from working at Nevei Kodesh, Bruno also teaches yoga, has a massage therapy practice, and leads a devotional world music band called Divino BetSatori.
Bruno's Website: www.brunotreves.com
Mariana Grosz
- Administrative Assistance
Email: office@neveikodesh.org
Mariana Grosz has been involved with Jewish communities since childhood.
Originally from Argentina, she co-founded the Jewish Community of Bariloche, a small ski town in Patagonia which at the time had only 30 Jewish families.
In 2002, she immigrated to the U.S. with her husband and two teenage children, first in Puerto Rico where she served at Temple Beth Shalom as the sole staff person. Later, she was hired by Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, California, where she held several different positions - Religious School Assistant, Communications Associate, and Assistant to the Rabbis.
Mariana’s background education is in Fine Arts, and she enjoys teaching and working in her own studio. She also is passionate about music, singing in different choirs, big and small. She lives in Boulder with her husband, Noe, and feels blessed to have both her children and their families close by.
Mariana's Art Website: www.forthefunofart.com/