Howard Shiner
President
Howard plays many roles at the synagogue and no wonder with his background! He was born in The Bronx but lived much of his life in New Jersey where he was a licensed electrician and later owned his own electrical contracting business. He moved to the Catskills were he put his varied set of skills to work as director of maintenance for Kutcher’s Country Club. “I love to work on anything that needs to be done either outside or inside the house,” he said.
Ira Miller
1st Vice President
Ira is a local real estate broker. He holds a contractor’s license and previously was a licensed home inspector. He spent more than eight years working for The Villages developer before becoming a real estate agent. He currently is the owner/broker of IM Realty.
Sharon Michaelson
2nd Vice President
Sharon taught school in both New York and in South Florida. She has lived in Florida since 2000 and since moving to Ocala in 2016 has lived in both Stone Creek and On Top of the World. She and her late husband, who is buried in the temple cemetery, joined Temple B’nai Darom after receiving a warm and friendly welcome. “Temple B’nai Darom has brought so much joy to my life. I have many friendships and I especially enjoy the uplifting services of Cantor Alisa.”
Sue Raymond
Treasurer
Sue has been a resident of Ocala for 13 years and has been working at a downtown accounting firm for the past 10 years. “During my first visit to Temple B’nai Darom I was intrigued how a small temple could feel so inviting and beautiful. Most of all, I thought the members were friendly and warm.”
Shelly Lebowitz
Recording Secretary
Shelly is a 30+ year resident of Ocala and Marion County. Prior to retirement she was an assistant to a hospital administrator. She and her husband joined TBD within a few years of arriving in Ocala. “The person I spoke to at B’nai Darom was very friendly, answered my questions and invited me to come to services. I visited B’nai Darom and was made so welcome that I decided to join.”
Donna Young
Corresponding Secretary
Donna converted to Judiasm in 1995, moved to Ocala in 1999, joined Temple B’nai Darom after she moved, and later retired as a medical technologist in 2020. “I chose Temple B’nai Darom because of the welcoming nature of the congregants. I have developed several close friends in the Temple. I enjoy the services which provide me with the spiritual connection I need.”
Trustees
George Delman
Trustee
George hails from Chicago and has lived in Atlanta (twice), California, and moved to Ocala in 2017 with his wife Ethel. He was a certified life insurance underwriter and financial planner. George and Ethel joined the temple after meeting friends who already belonged.
Ilene Basan
Trustee
A receptionist at a law firm for the last 22 years of her working life, Ilene moved to Ocala in 2008. She and her late husband joined TBD soon after they arrived. They found congregants of TBD were warm and welcoming, “I enjoy Cantor Alisa’s services very much and I have no regrets moving to Stone Creek or joining TBD.”
Stephanie Waldman
Trustee
Stephanie, who lives in and works for the state of Connecticut, is a second-generation member of Temple B’nai Darom. She says she was welcomed with open arms when she attended services and a board meeting with her mother. “I ended up joining TBD at the board meeting that day. Stephanie attends services at TBD remotely and says “I enjoy Cantor Alisa’s services very much!”
Bruce Kanner
Trustee
A former sales manager and small business owner, Bruce lives in On Top of the World where he is president of the Jewish Club and really enjoys playing pickleball. He says he and his wife Jodi joined Temple B’nai Darom shortly after they experienced such a warm welcome at their first service at TBD.
Ric Strynar
Trustee
Ric is a retired naval chief warrant officer and Navy diver. He and his wife have been in Ocala for five years. “Temple B’nai Darom is a welcoming place. A great membership with a family feel. I believe Jews should join Jewish religious, communal and social organizations in their communities no matter their knowledge level or religious level. I believe in the long run this supports Jews and Judaism especially in these times of heightened anti-semitism.”
Janet Stecher
Trustee
Originally from the Washington, DC area, Janet spent four decades in South Florida where she served on synagogue general and sisterhood boards. She and her husband David moved to Ocala six years ago and enjoy going to the local farmers markets and craft fairs, concerts, and spending time with their dogs. “Supporting and involving ourselves in Jewish life has always been very important to us. We joined Temple B’nai Darom because the people are down to earth and Heimish.”