Mark Samuel joined Temple Beth Am when he married Jessica Pilch Samuel in 2005 and has been a long-standing member of the Board of Trustees since 2006. Mark has served on every TBA board committee including serving as chair of VP Membership, VP Resource Development, VP At-Large, served on the JPA Education Cabinet, Co-Chair of the campus expansion Capital Campaign, participated in the sanctuary design committee and served as co-manager of the Corning LLC properties, which he helped ensure the temple owns debt free.
Mark has been an integral leader in enhancing the overall institution, including the establishment of the Elbaz Family Foundation Gymnasium, Ganzberg Sanctuary and Pilch Hall enhancement. Mark’s commitment and dedication for TBA was inspired by his beloved father in law, past President Howard Pilch z’l” when he was named President of Temple Beth Am in 2022. Mark is an active member of the deToledo Board of Trustees and currently serves on the executive committee at UCLA Hillel Board of Directors. Mark is an alumnus of UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is the owner of an assisted living facility, in addition to developing and managing residential apartments. Mark is an Ironman triathlete, who has completed in 18 Ironman competitions, including 5 World Championship Ironmans in Hawaii.
Mark’s deepest pride and joy comes from his family, with his wife, Jessica, of 19 years and his children Chason (17), Eleanor (15) and Sienna (10) who keep him humble and very busy!
A New York / New Jersey native, Josh received a Jewish education from nursery school to a gap year in Yeshiva in Israel. Josh received a BA in History from Brandeis University, while spending his summers on staff at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires.
After college, Josh relocated to New York City and spent a year as an Assistant Judaic Studies Teacher at the SSDS of Bergen County. He attended Cardozo Law School and began his legal career, all while playing rugby at the Old Blue Rugby Football Club. Josh’s rugby path led him to represent the United States in rugby at the World Maccabi Games in Israel in 1997, 2001 and finally in 2005 as the Captain of the team. Josh and Joanna met in New York, and were married in 2006. Henry was born in 2008 and in 2009 they moved to Los Angeles, where Joanna grew up. After touring Pressman, Josh and Joanna decided that Pressman was a good fit for their family, so they enrolled Henry in the ECC in 2010. Alexander and Lola both followed in their brother’s footsteps and entered the ECC as soon as they could.
Josh and Joanna immediately got involved in school leadership and never stopped. From hosting events at their home, to helping on the annual campaign, service to the school community is at the core of who they are. Joanna assumed leadership roles in the ECC and in the Parent Association and Josh joined the Capital Campaign Committee in 2013 and the Day School Committee in 2014. Josh became the Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign and joined the TBA Board in 2016. He served as the VP of Development from 2017-2019 and then joined Joanna on the Education Cabinet in 2019. Josh assumed the role of Chair of the Education Cabinet and rejoined the TBA Board Executive Committee as the VP of Education in 2022.
In addition to Josh’s involvement at Pressman Academy and Temple Beth Am, Josh previously led the Ramah in the Berkshires Alumni Association, is a Superblue member of the Old Blue Rugby Foundation, is a member of the US Maccabi Rugby Hall of Fame, and was on the Board of Trustees at Bnai-David Judea.
Josh takes pride in helping his community in any way he can. He hopes to set an example for his children in making sure to find time to give back to others, in addition to being a present parent and a productive member of society.
Rabbi Adam Kligfeld, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Rebecca Schatz, Associate Rabbi
Rabbi Hillary Chorny, Cantor
Sheryl Goldman, Executive Director
Rabbi Matt Shapiro, Director of Youth Learning & Engagement
Dr. Erica Rothblum, Head of School
Rabbi Joel E. Rembaum, Emeritus
Rabbi Jacob Pressman z’l, Emeritus
Rabbi Harry Silverstein z’l, Emeritus
Jenny & Aaron Aftergood
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Virginia & Frank Maas
Danielle & Ari Mark
Cazzie & Aaron Marzwell
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Wanda & Avi Peretz
Ariella Moss Peterseil & Nachum Peterseil
Lisa & Alan Petlak
Rachael Petru
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Jeffrey Rabin
Liorra Rothschild & Ben Reder
Jana Lehman-Richland & Bruce Richland
Susan Green & Robert Ring
Dr. Erica Rothblum & Daniel Rothblum
Linda & Lee Salem
Chason, Eleanor & Sienna Samuel
Galina & Joseph Samuel
Jessica Samuel
Jessica & Stephen Samuel
Sara & Jay Sanders
Rabbi Rebecca Schatz
Rabbi Sarah Barukh & Rabbi Matt Shapiro
Sima & Michael Shimansky
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