TBA-Pressman Academy Gala – 2025

RSVP by March 10th
Tribute Deadline: March 3rd

Elyssa Elbaz

Elyssa and Gil Elbaz joined the TBA/Pressman community in 2007 while searching for a preschool for their eldest child. Elyssa quickly immersed herself in the community, first co-chairing the Shir Shabbat program. Over the years, she has chaired the ECC Committee, the Day School Committee, and the Pressman Building Committee, and has participated in countless other committees, including the Strategic Planning Committee and the Search Committee that brought Dr. Erica Rothblum to Pressman Academy. Elyssa served on the Education Cabinet for an impressive 17 years, including a term as Chair during the challenges of Covid. She also served as a member of the Temple Beth Am Board of Trustees and on its Executive Committee as a Vice President.

Beyond her involvement with TBA and Pressman, Elyssa manages the Elbaz Family Foundation, which supports causes in Los Angeles and the global Jewish community. She is a former Assistant United States Attorney, where she prosecuted cases in the Violent and Organized Crime Division. Before her tenure as a prosecutor, Elyssa worked at the law firm of O’Melveny and Myers and clerked for a federal judge. Earlier in her career, she worked as a journalist for various newspapers and wire services in Los Angeles. Elyssa earned her undergraduate degree at Claremont McKenna College and her law degree from UCLA School of Law.

Elyssa’s passion for community service extends to her role on the boards of several non-profits, including the California Community Foundation, the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Claremont McKenna College, the Mgrublian Center for Human Rights at Claremont McKenna College, Temple Beth Am, and the UCLA School of Law Advisory Board.

Elyssa’s greatest joy comes from her family—her husband, Gil, her mother, Lorraine, her children Ben (19), Daniel (16), and Liana (13), and their dog, Luke. Elyssa hopes to continue setting an example for her children by balancing her commitment to family with her dedication to serving the community.

Gala Co-Chairs

Jennifer Elad & Karen Fried

Gala Committee

in formation

Dr. Dahlia Carr
Dorit Cooper
Mike Cohn
Revital Douek
Daria Hoffman
Josh Kaplan
Mary Kohav
Lisa Kolieb
Mandy Lande
Myrna Nejat
Farrah Noah
Laura Notowitz
Leslie Pearlman
Jana Richland
Dr. Robin Schaffran
Jessica Shaham
Laura Wasserman Steuer
Marshall Temkin
Lori Tessel
Reyna Zack
Sheryl Zohn

Michael Steuer, Advancement VP

Gala Honorary Committee

in formation

Aaron Aftergood
Ron & Vivian Alberts
Dr. Sarah Benor
Melissa Berenbaum
Lynn Bider
Bryan Carmel
Christy Chaloff
Hadar Cohen
Mike & Sherri Cohn
Dvora Colker
Alex DeGood
Brant Dveirin
Dr. Yaron Elad
Gil Elbaz
Ben Elbaz
Liana Elbaz
Daniel Elbaz
Nisim & Rebecca Elbaz
Eytan & Sherry Elbaz & Family
BJ Elias
Seth & Shani Fisher
Zev Fried
Samantha Garelick
Rachel Gereboff
Dina Hellerstein
Susan Hetsroni
Gil Hopenstand

Jacqui Jacobs
Joshua Kaplan
Rona Karp
Dr. Andrea Kasowitz
Monica Kramer
Jana Richland
Jennifer Low
Eric Maman
Aaron Marzwell
Janet Metson Urman
Joey Miller
Ouknines Family
Ellen Pereg
Wanda & Avi Peretz
Lisa Petlak
Ben Reder
Rabbi Joel & Fredi Rembaum
Robert Ring
Tyson Roberts
Lorraine Rowan
Mark Samuel
Jay Sanders
Diane Shapiro
Michael Shimansky
Amnon Siegel
Alan & Sheila Spiwak
Bradley Temkin
Marshall Temkin
Stuart Tochner
Andrew Wallenstein
Rachel Weber
Mark Wolf

TBA/Pressman Senior Staff

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

TBA/Pressman Gala Staff

Gabbie Fried, TBA Marketing & Communications Manager 
Samantha Kelley, JPA Development Manager
Ariana Shane, Membership & Data Manager
Deenie Silberstein, JPA Director of Institutional Advancement
Ronna Sundy, Special Events Coordinator