About us

Rabbi David K. Holtz

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Rabbi David Holtz was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1987. After serving six years as the Associate Rabbi at Har Sinai Congregation in Baltimore, he was called to the pulpit of Temple Beth Abraham in 1993, where he continues to serves as its spiritual leader.

In addition to his many congregational responsibilities, Rabbi Holtz is very involved in the local community. He is a past president of the Westchester Board of Rabbis, comprised of rabbis of every denomination. He has chaired the Rivertowns Clergy Association, which works to improve interfaith relations and serves as an important moral voice in the community. He has twice served as president of the Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns, a service organization that helps fund local and international non-profits. He also teaches community-wide Adult Education courses, and is a guest speaker on a variety of subjects. Rabbi Holtz lives in White Plains with his wife, Renée, and their three children, Holly, Avi, and Shira.

Cantor Lauren Phillips Fogelman

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Praised for her “blithe, welcoming voice,” (Chicago Classical Review), Cantor Lauren Phillips Fogelman began her tenure at Temple Beth Abraham in July 2023. She was ordained by the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 2013 and holds degrees from Tufts University and The Boston Conservatory.

Highlights from Cantor Fogelman’s career include singing the National Anthem at a Milwaukee Brewers game, performing at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as a member of Hazamir: The International Teen Choir, and serving on faculty at the North American Jewish Choral Festival. Cantor Fogelman is a proud member of the American Conference of Cantors and serves on the Executive Committee for Transcontinental Music Publications (TMP), the world’s leading publisher of Jewish music. Her compositions are included in TMP’s Shabbat Anthology IX and Manginot: The Complete Jewish Songbook for Children, Volume III. A lifelong New Yorker, Cantor Fogelman lives on Croton-on-Hudson, NY with her husband, Dan, and sons, Alex and Evan. For more information, please visit www.cantorlauren.com.

Sherry Saturno, Director of Administration and Membership

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Sherry Saturno is delighted to serve as the Director of Administration & Membership at Temple Beth Abraham and is an ardent proponent of building community, lifelong learning, and leading a full and vibrant life at any age. A Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, Sherry received master's degrees from Columbia University School of Social Work and Long Island University School of Management and Public Service. She is a Social Work Fellow within the National Academies of Practice and functioned as a Zelda Foster Studies Fellow at New York University Silver School of Social Work. She completed an Aging and Disabilities Certification at Boston University Center for Aging, Disability Education, and Research; an Innovation and Social Impact In Gerontology Certification from the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California; and graduated from the Women's Leadership Institute Certification at Manhattanville College. Sherry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Her door is always open, and she loves meeting with and helping congregants and their families

Stessa Peers, Director of Education and Youth Engagement

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Stessa Peers has a passion for Judaic History with a focus on “minority within minority” history (Jewish women, Jews of the Mediterranean and Middle East, and Jews of Color) that was solidified during her years of study at Binghamton University, where she received a double degree in History and Judaic Studies.

Stessa loves teaching at TBA and helping our children cultivate a lifelong passion for Judaism, leadership, social justice and tikkun olam. She is also a lifelong member of TBA and is proud to give back to the community in which she grew up.

Melissa McHugh, Director of Early Childhood Education

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Melissa McHugh holds a Masters degree from Lesley University in Early Childhood Education with a further credential in creative arts in learning and special education. Her bachelors degree is in English and Theater performance and she has performed in many theater productions. Melissa has been a teacher for twenty-eight years and taught in both the New York City and Boston private school sectors prior to her tenure at Village Nursery School in Cornwall where she served as the Educational Director for eight years.

Melissa was raised in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and moved to Monroe, NY fifteen years ago with her husband (also an educator) and their three children. In addition to her career in early childhood, Melissa coached “Girls on the Run” for eight seasons, has served on on numerous PTA boards, and is an active president of PAGE (Parents Advocating Gifted Education). She is an advocate for children and cherishes their energy, curiosity, and wonder.

Irene Metz, Clergy Coordinator

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Irene Metz has been the Clergy Coordinator at Temple Beth Abraham since 2014. She is a long-standing member at Community Synagogue of Rye where her personal volunteer involvement has grown over the years. She has served on several committees, participated on search committees, was on the Board of Trustees, and most recently served as Congregational President. Her professional career of 35 years was in supply chain management at Scholastic, Inc. (publisher of children’s books, including Harry Potter and Hunger Games). When that concluded, the logical step for the next phase of her career was to combine her prior work experience with her commitment to the Jewish community – Temple Beth Abraham is that perfect workplace. She feels particularly lucky to have two synagogues to call home!

She and her husband Jonathan live in Rye Brook. They have 2 adult children who are married and scattered across the country – and 2 adorable grandchildren. Irene enjoys attending theater, reading, gardening, learning in Torah classes, and spending time with family and friends.

Yakov Orentikher, Facilities Manager

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Yakov was originally born in Azerbaijan when it was part of the Soviet Union. He has an advanced degree in mechanical engineering and extensive experience managing building operations.

You are as likely to find him rolling up his sleeves with a paintbrush in hand, as you are to see him sitting at his computer typing up quotes for building repairs. His journey at TBA has just begun, but Yakov is fitting-in well with the team – and he said he feels right at home here.

Melissa Baer, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Operations and Engagement

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Melissa Baer has been a member of Temple Beth Abraham since 2004 and has served on the Board of Trustees in various roles including Nursery School Chair, Adult Education Chair, Tikkun Olam Chair and on the Executive Committee. Melissa has also served as an interim staff professional over the years and is happy to have found a permanent role as the Administrative Assistant.

Melissa’s prior professional career was in financial services, but she retired in 2000 and now dedicates her career to volunteerism. Melissa worked for the UJA-Federation of New York’s EngAGE Jewish Service Corps as Site Coordinator at the JCC on the Hudson from 2015 to 2018. In this capacity, she coordinated group and individual volunteer activities, often serving as a volunteer herself. Melissa joined the Board of Directors of the Westchester Jewish Council in 2020. She was the co-chair of their Gala Programming Committee.

Melissa and her husband Herb live in Chappaqua with their 2 adult children.

Kira Gleit, Religious School Assistant

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