Clergy and Staff
Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf, Senior Rabbi
Named one of “America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis” by The Forward, Rabbi Michael Knopf is widely recognized as a bold and visionary spiritual leader and social justice activist. He is the editor, most recently, of No Time for Neutrality: American Rabbinic Voices from an Era of Upheaval, a collection of morally courageous writings from a diverse group of rabbis.
Helping individuals and organizations elevate their commitment to, and practice of, building an inclusive and just society has been the cornerstone of Rabbi Knopf’s work. Prior to his appointment as Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth El in Stamford, he served congregations in Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, and Georgia, cultivating diverse and inclusive communities, as well as galvanizing involvement in multi-faith campaigns to address issues such as gun violence, affordable housing, refugee and immigrant rights, systemic racism, and climate change.
Rabbi Knopf holds degrees from Columbia University (History, Cum Laude), the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (Talmud and Rabbinics, Magna Cum Laude), and the American Jewish University (Master of Arts in Rabbinic Studies, Rabbinic Ordination), where he received the Eliezer Slomovic Award in Talmud. He is an American Jewish World Service Global Justice Fellow and an alumnus of both Rabbis Without Borders and the Clergy Leadership Incubator. And, passionate about lifelong learning and interfaith understanding, he is currently a doctoral candidate at Union Presbyterian Seminary.
He also avidly follows pop culture and politics, goes for a run (almost) every day, and enjoys movies (especially Star Wars), traveling (especially Disney World), ice cream (especially Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough), and pizza (all kinds).
Rabbi Knopf lives in Stamford with his wife Adira and their three children.
Contact Rabbi Knopf: rabbiknopf@tbe.org.
Cantor Katie Kaplan
Cantor Katie Kaplan is a longtime member of the Jewish community in Stamford, Connecticut and is proud to serve as Temple Beth El’s cantor and music director. Growing up in Rutland, Vermont, her passion for music began at an early age, launching her to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at New York University. She went on to sing numerous roles with regional opera companies before going on to obtain a Master of Science in Education from the University of Bridgeport and embarking on a career as a music educator, choral director, and voice teacher.
Over the past decade, Cantor Kaplan’s passion for Judaism inspired her to pivot her career to focus on cantorial work and Jewish music. Her training includes studies at The Academy for Jewish Religion in Yonkers, NY, and certification as a cantor through the Cantorial Intern of the Cantors Assembly (CICA) program. She has participated in several Jewish leadership programs including the Davennen Leadership Training Institute, Song Leader Boot Camp, The Women Cantors’ Network, and songwriting retreats.
As an educator, Cantor Kaplan’s experience includes extensive classroom and private studio work with students of all ages. She served as choral director and Middle School Music Department Chair at an independent school in Connecticut where she coached choral ensembles and soloists to perform for festivals, international concert tours, commencement ceremonies, musicals, and beyond. She pioneered programs for teens to discover their voices and connected students with forms of self-expression as part of her approach to Tikkun Olam. As a Jewish educator, she is deeply passionate about tefillah and provides students and adults with accessible translations and personalized approaches that can be integrated into their daily lives.
She enjoys collaborating with the TBE team to create innovative services and loves introducing the congregation and students to new and traditional Jewish music.
Cantor Kaplan and her husband Eric live in Stamford with their two children and have been members of Temple Beth El since 2003.
Contact Cantor Kaplan: cantor@tbe.org.
Rabbi Gerry Ginsburg, Associate Rabbi
Rabbi Gerry Ginsburg, a 32-year member of Temple Beth El, joins Rabbi Knopf in providing pastoral support. This includes hospital visits and leading shiva minyanim. He also leads adult education classes throughout the year, delivers divrei Torah and officiates at services.
After graduating from Ohio University’s School of Journalism, Rabbi Ginsburg and his wife Fran moved to New York City. He began his career as a magazine editor. Then, after receiving his MBA from NYU, he worked on the business side of media. In 1986, he and his wife, Dr. Frances Ginsburg, moved to Stamford. He later opened his own consulting firm specializing in publishing and international direct marketing.
In 2012, Rabbi Ginsburg started as a full-time student at the Academy for Jewish Religion, a pluralistic Jewish seminary in Yonkers, NY. He earned an MA in Jewish Studies there in 2017 and received his rabbinic ordination in 2019. While a student, he served as Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Kneses Tiffereth Israel in Port Chester, NY; Student Rabbi at Congregation Sinai in Milford, CT; and Student Rabbi at Congregation Shaaray Tefila in Glens Falls, NY. Rabbi Ginsburg is a member of the Association of Rabbis and Cantors (ARC).
Contact Rabbi Ginsburg: rabbiginsburg@tbe.org.
Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, Rabbi Emeritus
Prior to becoming rabbi emeritus on July 1, 2024, Rabbi Joshua Hammerman served Temple Beth El for over three decades. As Temple Beth El’s spiritual leader, he focused his efforts on creating an oasis of warmth, love and mutual respect, befitting the role of a modern congregation in an increasingly complex world.
During that time, Rabbi Hammerman was president of the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut and the Stamford Board of Rabbis, a chaplain for the Stamford Police, and a member of the pastoral advisory committee of Stamford Health Systems. He also served on the Rabbinic Leadership Council, a select group of rabbis chosen by Chancellor Arnold Eisen of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), and was a member of the faculty of CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.
Rabbi Hammerman was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary after receiving a master’s degree in journalism from N.Y.U. and a B.A., magna cum laude, from Brown University, where he twice won the university’s prestigious Bishop McVickar Prize in Religious Studies. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from JTS for his years of service to the Jewish people.
A prolific writer, his articles appear frequently in The New York Jewish Week, Times of Israel, and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). His last two books, Embracing Auschwitz: Forging a Vibrant, Life-Affirming Judaism that Takes the Holocaust Seriously and Mensch-Marks: Life Lessons of a Human Rabbi – Wisdom for Untethered Times, have been widely acclaimed.
He currently writes a blog, In This Moment: A Rabbi’s Notebook.
Rabbi Hammerman is an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He now lives in Madison, CT, with his wife, Dr. Mara Hammerman, a psychologist.
Contact Rabbi Hammerman: joshuah@tbe.org.
Steven Lander, Executive Director
As Temple Beth El’s executive director, Steven Lander has been an integral part of the Fairfield County Jewish community ever since he moved to the area in 1969 and became youth director, program director and then executive director at the Norwalk Jewish Community Center.
In 1975, Steven co-founded Amazing Stores, building up the chain to seven stores in Connecticut. Following his 20-year reign as “Mr. Amazing,” he became director of development for the Human Services Council in Norwalk and served on its board of directors. Throughout this time, Steven remained active in Jewish affairs serving as president of the Norwalk Jewish Community Center; campaign chairman of the Norwalk UJA Federation; as well as president and treasurer of Beth Israel Synagogue in Norwalk.
In 2000, Steven returned to Jewish communal work, serving as executive director of Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford for seven years before joining the staff at Temple Beth El.
Steven’s wife, Lieba Lander, is an administrator at the Gan Yeladim Pre-School. The Landers have three children: Joshua, Deborah (who lives in Israel), and Karen; and five grandchildren.
Contact Steven: execdir@tbe.org | (203) 322-6901 x 304.
Leo Linder, Director of Kesher Beth El
After many years as an educator in independent schools, Leo Linder is excited to be joining the Temple Beth El and Congregation Beth El communities as the director of Kesh Beth El.
Leo’s passion for learning and all things Jewish – especially music – was ignited by their own time in Hebrew school, and grew over the years as they sang in High Holiday choir, performed with the Hazamir teen ensemble, and began to lead services. In college, Leo served as Koach chair of Hillel, organizing all of the weekly services and teaching peers everything from chanting Torah to kashering a kitchen. They hold a BA in Latin, Ancient Greek, and English from Tufts University and an MA in Latin from University of Georgia, and after taking courses in Talmud at SVARA and Hebrew at Middlebury and Brandeis, they will soon be embarking on the path towards ordination.
Most recently, Leo spent 13 years at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, where they taught classical languages in grades 5 through 12, spearheaded equity & inclusion projects, and led the Middle School theater program, directing 36 shows in their tenure there.
But you may know Leo best from the bimah, leading services on shabbos and the High Holidays, or “Zooming” into daily minyan. When they’re not at shul, you’ll probably find Leo at home in Norwalk with their spouse Ari and their three very old cats. They enjoy reading, crocheting, playing tabletop RPGs, and kvelling about their baby nephews.
Contact Leo: eddir@tbe.org | (203) 322-6901 x 305.
Dayna Patashnik, Engagement Coordinator
Dayna has a strong connection to TBE both personally and professionally. A member of TBE for over 17 years, she has been a teacher in the K’tanim program since 2009. In 2021, she launched the TBE middle school social action/community service program “Mitzvah Makers,” developing innovative programming and building community partnerships through volunteer activities.
In her role as engagement coordinator, Dayna will embrace new and prospective members to TBE as well as engage with current members to ensure everyone has a deep level of connection to our temple community and their Jewish identity. Dayna welcomes the opportunity to work with TBE in a new capacity, and she is very excited about her new position. “I look forward to working closely with clergy, staff, board members and volunteers to serve TBE congregation and the greater Stamford community,” Dayna stated.
Dayna is a resident of Stamford and is married to David Patashnik. They are the proud parents of Aaron and Andrew.
Contact Dayna: tbeengagement@gmail.com.
