“I want our community members to embrace me, their rabbi, as part of their wellness team, as a cheerleader, teacher, friend and co-worker in making our world a better, safer, and more compassionate place.”
Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg has served as Kol Ami's rabbi since 2014. Before coming to Kol Ami, she was an assistant rabbi and director of education at Temple B’nai Torah in Bellevue, Washington for 11 years. Rabbi Kinberg is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and a member of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. She is involved with JStreet, Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Services, Faith Action Network, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and a variety of other organizations working towards peace, justice, sustainability, and interfaith connections.
Rabbi Kinberg loves working with people of all ages and stages. Children, elders, babies, teens... people who are in the midst of celebration and those who are in the midst of crisis. In addition to providing pastoral care for our members, She offers spiritual direction and small group classes for anyone who wants to study specific topics.
The rabbi can be reached by email or via Kol Ami's main telephone line at
425-844-1604.
RABBI
YOHANNA KINBERG
Shalom - Center your Jewish Life at Kol Ami
We are a welcoming and egalitarian Reform congregation of about 130 families located in Kirkland, WA. We nurture an atmosphere of openness and friendship, encouraging members of our community to plant or transplant Jewish roots. We welcome empty-nesters, LGBTQ individuals and families, interfaith families, Jews-by-choice, visitors, and anyone who's interested in discovering, rediscovering, or affirming Judaism.
We are guided by the URJ Sacred Partnership model in how we relate with each other,
our Board, Staff, and Rabbi. We focus on our responsibility to the shared goals and
common good of our congregation. We practice using the tools of respect, trust,
honesty, listening and communication, transparency, confidentiality, flexibility to build
and nurture those sacred partnerships. They all require a willingness from each person
to be vulnerable toward others.
If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact a Kol Ami board
member.
MEET OUR
STAFF AND TEACHERS
DOROTHY KAHN
B'nai Mitzvah Lab Grades 5-7
Dorothy (pictured here with George, her emotional support chicken) comes to us with decades of joyfully and successfully designing and running Jewish hands on family education programming and classroom experiences around the world. Having taught in multiple countries with communities ranging from micro to who could've even guessed that many people would show up; her engaging ideas have been recognized with many awards, but more importantly, have brought about a litany of community building engagement. Dorothy is thrilled to return to her role again this year with such an incredibly creative team committed to building and maintaining our sacred community.
MEAGAN PRINCE
Teacher, Grades 2-4 & Curriculum Development
Meagan Prince has a passion for elementary education and Jewish life. Her background in language acquisition (MS Ed, Western Oregon University, '08) and music education (BM Ed, Ithaca College, '03) are her foundation for multi-modal and hands-on learning. She's taught in schools across the USA, as well as in Europe and Asia. With two daughters of her own, Meagan regularly engages in the hows and whys of Jewish living. She sees Judaism as a set of threads running through the calendar of our lives, and strives to make it accessible at each child’s level of curiosity and ability.
REUVEN MCCULLOUGH
Student Rabbi
Reuven has a degree in Classical Studies, nearly two decades in Sleep Medicine, and they aren’t afraid to use them. In their free time - currently limited by rabbinical school - they enjoy reading, Torah, resting, and being a nocturnal cat dad. They bring a deep-south sensibility, belief that binaries are just human constructs, and expansive curiosity.
SUSAN BARDSLEY
Music Director
Susan Bardsley, conductor of Eastside Jewish Community Chorus, is a Seattle native who holds
two degrees from the UW, including a Master’s in Conducting with a Choral emphasis. Her work
background includes teaching music in local high schools, middle schools, and at the Jennifer
Rosen Meade Preschool. She also spent 25 years as a music director at Studio East. While at
Studio East Sue spearheaded 23 seasons of StoryBook Theater, which produced and toured
original musicals for young audiences. Sue is a composer, music director, singer and
accompanist still “gigging” around the area.
Click here for more info on the Eastside Jewish Community Chorus.
LAUREN SIMONDS
Administrative Coordinator
Lauren Simonds has a Master of Social Work degree in Organizational Development and Planned Social Change from the University of Washington. She has lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1991, and has worked in the fields of Behavior Health, HIV/AIDS, reproductive rights, and Jewish communal service. She has worked as a nonprofit Executive Director/CEO for over 20 years, and in the nonprofit field for over 30 years. Her experience in this role include the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Washington; Rosehedge/Multifaith Works, an HIV/AIDS housing and support service organization; NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, the state’s largest political reproductive rights organization; and the Seattle Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, a progressive social justice organization. Ms. Simonds has a strong background in community organizing and building, legislative advocacy, fund development, strategic communications, succession planning, and leadership development and training. She retired from fulltime nonprofit work at the end of 2024. In her last CEO role with NAMI Washington, Lauren was elected by the NAMI Executive Director’s to be the first NAMI Board representative from the EDC. She was re-elected for a second 3-year term in 2024. Lauren is the recipient of the 2024 NAMI Vicki Cottrell Leadership Award from her peers on the NAMI Executive Director’s Council, this is the highest honor for a NAMI Executive Director at any level. Lauren lives in Kirkland with her husband Chris and their cats Piper and Biko; their son Reuben attends the University of Colorado, Boulder. Lauren is also a member of Kol Ami.
MEET THE
BOARD
As Jewish leaders, what sets us apart from our counterparts in the secular world is that the goal of the partnerships we cultivate is to create a better world and to expand this notion of tikkun olam beyond what one individual can achieve.
If you have questions or conerns, you are welcome to a Kol Ami board member. Please email our admin for contact information.
SHANE McGARRY
President
Shane (pronouns: they/them) grew up in a small town in Northeast Ohio but has lived all over
the country. After living in Upstate NY, Nashville, TN, and San Diego, CA, Shane found
themselves in Boston, MA where they met their husband, Joshua, while both were singing in a
local LGBTQ+ choir. Wanting a career change, Shane decided to go back to grad school in 2014,
and just after their wedding, Shane and Joshua moved to Ireland where Shane studied and
completed their Ph.D. in Computer Science. Unable to remain in Europe due to the job market,
Shane and Joshua returned to the U.S. after Shane was offered a role in the Greater Seattle
area, where they work as a Data Scientist and adjunct part-time at DigiPen and University of
Washington.
Having relocated to Seattle just as COVID kicked off, Shane wanted to find community and
through chance happened upon Kol Ami at the suggestion of an internet friend (who is also a
member of Kol Ami). After one service, Shane knew they had found their place, and they've
never looked back. Shane joined the choir and sang with them for a couple of years before
stepping down and transitioning to an open spot on the Board in December of 2024. They were
asked to step into the role of President for FY2026, and they are excited to take this next step,
working alongside the Rabbi, the Board, and the Congregation of Kol Ami. In addition to their
work at Kol Ami, Shane enjoys reading, knitting, playing video games, board games, card games
(really any kind of gaming except for sports for which they have zero aptitude), and spending
time with their husband and 2 kitties, Fianán and Fara.
KATIE PELCZAR
Membership Chair
Katie Pelczar is a commercial real estate investor. Originally from Connecticut, she moved with
her husband and two sons to Kirkland in 2020. She is immensely grateful to have found a warm
and welcoming Jewish community at Kol Ami. Katie joined the board in 2025 and currently
serves as Membership Committee chair. She would love to get together for coffee and hear your
ideas for continually improving member engagement.
JOSHUA ERLICH
Brotherhood Liaison
Josh Erlich is the Regional Vice President at System Pavers, where he leads with energy,
authenticity, and a focus on people and results. Originally from Chicago, he’s lived in
Washington since 2007. Josh and his wife Annie have been proud members of the Kol Ami
community since 2016, with their sons, Levi and Sawyer, who are currently enrolled in the
religious school. He joined the Kol Ami board in 2024, continuing his commitment to community
and connection. osh Erlich is the Regional Vice President at System Pavers, where he leads with
energy, authenticity, and a focus on people and results. Originally from Chicago, he’s lived in
Washington since 2007. Josh and his wife Annie have been proud members of the Kol Ami
community since 2018, with their sons, Levi and Sawyer, who are currently enrolled in the
religious school. He joined the Kol Ami board in 2024, continuing his commitment to community
and connection.
VERONICA JORDAN
Board Member
Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, I come from a vibrant Cuban-American background—my mother immigrated from Cuba, and my father hails from Long Island, New York. I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2018 to work for Boeing and have since explored opportunities across the tech industry, currently working at NVIDIA.
Kol Ami has become my home away from home. I’m especially passionate about our interfaith work, which resonates deeply with my values and upbringing. I’m honored to serve on the board and contribute to a community that celebrates diversity, connection, and shared purpose.
.png)
LINDA BOOKEY
Secretary & Immediate Past President
Linda is a Program Manager who focuses on talent development, hiring processes, team culture and diversity and inclusion. Her recent work includes content and video creation for Microsoft highlighting the AI and Advanced Architectures team culture to quickly grow a team of hardware and software engineers.
Linda brings her social science and change management background to STEM outreach activities including gender and racial equity in K12 and higher education, human capital development and employee communications for tech and scientific companies. As an anthropologist, she’s passionate about creating healthy workplace culture for her clients.
Formerly CEO of Bookey Consulting, a woman owned company for over 20 years, her clients are included in the Who’s Who of top global companies and education entities, including Microsoft as a preferred vendor, Real Networks, ACM, BCS, NSF, Stanford, TechBA, Washington Wine Industry Foundation, ChemPoint and University of Washington. Collaborative, creative, and a strategic thinker, she enjoys building deep relationships, facilitating initiatives, and defusing difficult situations. She volunteers as a site visitor with WBENC to certify women-owned businesses. Past board service includes Temple B’nai Torah for 5 years, including as First Vice President and Washington State Jewish Historical Society for 5 years as VP.
JEFFREY GROSSMAN
Past President
Jeff and Vivian (z”l) moved from New York to Redmond in 2012 to be closer to their son and his family. They all became Kol Ami members soon thereafter and both grandsons became Bar Mitzvah at Kol Ami. Jeff is happily retired from a career in teaching and running a student travel business. This has allowed him to pursue his goal of studying Yiddish. He was instrumental in getting a Yiddish class in Seattle started in 2013, which grew into a series of classes over the years. He still attends two classes a week. Jeff became active at Kol Ami as a member of the Life and Legacy Team. In addition to his CKA Board membership, Jeff volunteers at the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle and is the Secretary of the Mt. Rainier Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Jeff enjoys hiking, pickleball, good food, and wordplay of all sorts.
ADAM SCHULMAN
Treasurer
Adam Schulman is currently Treasurer of Kol Ami and has been a member since 2019. Originally from New York, Adam, his wife Nicki and their two children relocated to the Seattle area from Chicago and found a welcoming community at Kol Ami.
Adam currently leads a global finance team at Boeing and is actively involved in a number of local non-profit organizations. He also enjoys long distance cycling, recently completing the 206 mile Seattle to Portland bike ride in one day.
RHONDA MARSHALL
Worship Chair & Past President
Rhonda and her family have lived in Kirkland since 2002—almost as long as they’ve been Kol Ami members. She’d love to meet for coffee, hear your ideas and concerns, and help you get more involved at Kol Ami.
BECCA FLORA
Board Member
Rebeca and her husband Matt have lived in Bellevue since 1997 after moving from the UK and
Portland, OR. Her parents were founder members of the congregation she grew up in and
'becca has been a founder member herself of two congregations in different cities in the UK.
She loves small communities where people know and help each other; where they gather
together for more than just Shabbat services. She has been an elementary and middle school
teacher for 40 years and loves working with children and adults, and is a lifelong learner herself.
She is a board member on Limmud Seattle and the volunteer coordinator for the annual
conference. She is chair of the education committee at Kol Ami and would love to talk to you
about how you can become involved in educating the membership of Kol Ami.
SCOTT SHURTLEFF
Board Member
Scott Shurtleff is a Board member at Large who brings a passion for community service and
connection to the role. Raised in Arizona, Scott moved to Washington in 2008 with his husband,
Stephen, and the two have been happily married for 26 years. Professionally, Scott is committed
to expanding access to healthcare, working at a nonprofit that serves people without insurance
or those on Medicaid.
Outside of work, Scott is an avid aviation enthusiast and loves to travel—often planning
vacations around specific aircraft or airlines. At the same time, he enjoys being a homebody,
cherishing quiet moments at home with Stephen and their pets.