BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jan Chernoff
President
I'm a native Californian. Since 2004, I've owned and operated a property management company specializing in executive and vacation rentals. The company currently handles 50 properties in San Francisco, Sonoma County, and Victoria, British Columbia. Prior to operating Casa Buena Vista Rentals, I spent twenty years traveling extensively in the recycling and paper export business.
Since 1995, my wife, Isabel Wade, and I have split our time between Glen Ellen and San Francisco. In San Francisco we were members of Sherith Israel for more than 20 years and regular volunteers in the Ha Motzi program dedicated to providing food for homeless families. In our free time we enjoy tennis, and traveling.
We became members of Congregation Shir Shalom more than 20 years ago, and still participate in a book group that originated at CSS when we joined. Our participation became more regular with the arrival of Rabbi Steve Finley, who officiated at our son’s wedding. We look forward to more mitzvah's ahead!
President
I'm a native Californian. Since 2004, I've owned and operated a property management company specializing in executive and vacation rentals. The company currently handles 50 properties in San Francisco, Sonoma County, and Victoria, British Columbia. Prior to operating Casa Buena Vista Rentals, I spent twenty years traveling extensively in the recycling and paper export business.
Since 1995, my wife, Isabel Wade, and I have split our time between Glen Ellen and San Francisco. In San Francisco we were members of Sherith Israel for more than 20 years and regular volunteers in the Ha Motzi program dedicated to providing food for homeless families. In our free time we enjoy tennis, and traveling.
We became members of Congregation Shir Shalom more than 20 years ago, and still participate in a book group that originated at CSS when we joined. Our participation became more regular with the arrival of Rabbi Steve Finley, who officiated at our son’s wedding. We look forward to more mitzvah's ahead!
Linda Goldman
Vice-President
I was born and grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. After moving around the country searching for my place, I settled in California in 1984. I lived in San Francisco and Berkeley/Oakland until 2005, and then discovered bucolic Sonoma and never looked back.
My professional life has been that of a social worker, with a few years interspersed dabbling in real estate. My range of experience has been working with individuals and families in home health care, assisted living, or nursing home care; this includes being a manager and supervisor in those settings. I've been a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) for many years and still wear that badge with honor. Locally, I was Director of Social Services at Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa, followed by a semi-retirement position at Healing at Home in Sonoma. I'm now fully retired, but once a social worker, always a social worker. I still identify strongly with that aspect of my life.
In addition to volunteer work at Bouverie Preserve (I serve on its Docent Council Board), I also volunteer at the CSS Hebrew school as a Hebrew tutor. Although my Hebrew's rusty, I manage to stay a few steps ahead of my students. I'm glad to have found a home within the Shir Shalom community. I look forward to my new adventure and commitment as a member of the Board.
Vice-President
I was born and grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. After moving around the country searching for my place, I settled in California in 1984. I lived in San Francisco and Berkeley/Oakland until 2005, and then discovered bucolic Sonoma and never looked back.
My professional life has been that of a social worker, with a few years interspersed dabbling in real estate. My range of experience has been working with individuals and families in home health care, assisted living, or nursing home care; this includes being a manager and supervisor in those settings. I've been a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) for many years and still wear that badge with honor. Locally, I was Director of Social Services at Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa, followed by a semi-retirement position at Healing at Home in Sonoma. I'm now fully retired, but once a social worker, always a social worker. I still identify strongly with that aspect of my life.
In addition to volunteer work at Bouverie Preserve (I serve on its Docent Council Board), I also volunteer at the CSS Hebrew school as a Hebrew tutor. Although my Hebrew's rusty, I manage to stay a few steps ahead of my students. I'm glad to have found a home within the Shir Shalom community. I look forward to my new adventure and commitment as a member of the Board.
Amy Rassen
Treasurer
I was born in Brookline, MA post-holocaust era and grew up with an intense Jewish education which led me to Brandeis University for college. I married my high school sweetheart, went into VISTA in east Los Angeles for a year, then to social work school while my husband was in medical school in St. Louis. We moved to San Francisco in 1973, then to Sonoma in 2002 where we've been ever since. My work has always focused on improving the lives of children and families, something I continue to feel passionate about. Having led large and small nonprofit organizations, I feel I can contribute to the organizational development of CSS. I take great pleasure in CSS’ mission and vision, and the welcoming atmosphere. I look forward to my role as treasurer and hope I can build upon the great work done by our former treasurer Dan Sondheim.
Treasurer
I was born in Brookline, MA post-holocaust era and grew up with an intense Jewish education which led me to Brandeis University for college. I married my high school sweetheart, went into VISTA in east Los Angeles for a year, then to social work school while my husband was in medical school in St. Louis. We moved to San Francisco in 1973, then to Sonoma in 2002 where we've been ever since. My work has always focused on improving the lives of children and families, something I continue to feel passionate about. Having led large and small nonprofit organizations, I feel I can contribute to the organizational development of CSS. I take great pleasure in CSS’ mission and vision, and the welcoming atmosphere. I look forward to my role as treasurer and hope I can build upon the great work done by our former treasurer Dan Sondheim.
Judy Miller
Secretary
I grew up in Brooklyn, NY, attended Brooklyn College majoring in Education and Political Science. In 1959 I married Irwin Miller and moved to the Greater Boston area where we lived for 54 years. We owned a sales and marketing company that sold books, cards, toys and gifts to the retail trade; I was Vice President and Treasurer of the company.
My oldest son lives in San Francisco with his wife and three children. My youngest son lives in New York City with his wife and daughter. In 2012 we moved to Petaluma, CA; fellow CSS members encouraged us to join Shir Shalom. Over the years, Irwin and I chaired the Lifelong Learning Team, and I was President of Sisterhood for two years. I believe that you can get from an organization, in direct proportion, to what you give to it. I'm proud to continue as Chair of the Lifelong Learning Team, a member of the Board of Directors, and a member of this vibrant community.
Secretary
I grew up in Brooklyn, NY, attended Brooklyn College majoring in Education and Political Science. In 1959 I married Irwin Miller and moved to the Greater Boston area where we lived for 54 years. We owned a sales and marketing company that sold books, cards, toys and gifts to the retail trade; I was Vice President and Treasurer of the company.
My oldest son lives in San Francisco with his wife and three children. My youngest son lives in New York City with his wife and daughter. In 2012 we moved to Petaluma, CA; fellow CSS members encouraged us to join Shir Shalom. Over the years, Irwin and I chaired the Lifelong Learning Team, and I was President of Sisterhood for two years. I believe that you can get from an organization, in direct proportion, to what you give to it. I'm proud to continue as Chair of the Lifelong Learning Team, a member of the Board of Directors, and a member of this vibrant community.
Mark Hummel
My wife Amy and I value our 24-year affiliation with Congregation Shir Shalom. Membership in CSS has provided us inclusion in a warm and welcoming community, allowed us to participate in services, furthered our knowledge and understanding of Jewish tradition, and let us be of service to the community. Our son Ben, a CSS Hebrew school “graduate” and bar mitzvah, is now enrolled in college in Colorado. We’ve watched the congregation grow and mature over the years and are both so very pleased to have Rabbi Steve and his wife Yaffa here in Sonoma, with all the good this brings to the congregation and the broader community.
I’m an architect, acting in administrative capacity for Solano County. I’m a California native, raised in the East Bay where I attended High School in the San Ramon Valley. I have a BA in Fine Art from UC Berkeley and a Master of Architecture from UCLA (where Amy and I met), and have studied and worked abroad.
I’ve previously served the congregation on the Board of Directors, as Membership Committee Chair, Men’s Club executive committee member, ad hoc Strategic Planning Committee Chair, Vice President and President. The congregation is fortunate to have a strong group of continuing Board members and I look forward to putting my energies to the service of the congregation and working with the new Board.
My wife Amy and I value our 24-year affiliation with Congregation Shir Shalom. Membership in CSS has provided us inclusion in a warm and welcoming community, allowed us to participate in services, furthered our knowledge and understanding of Jewish tradition, and let us be of service to the community. Our son Ben, a CSS Hebrew school “graduate” and bar mitzvah, is now enrolled in college in Colorado. We’ve watched the congregation grow and mature over the years and are both so very pleased to have Rabbi Steve and his wife Yaffa here in Sonoma, with all the good this brings to the congregation and the broader community.
I’m an architect, acting in administrative capacity for Solano County. I’m a California native, raised in the East Bay where I attended High School in the San Ramon Valley. I have a BA in Fine Art from UC Berkeley and a Master of Architecture from UCLA (where Amy and I met), and have studied and worked abroad.
I’ve previously served the congregation on the Board of Directors, as Membership Committee Chair, Men’s Club executive committee member, ad hoc Strategic Planning Committee Chair, Vice President and President. The congregation is fortunate to have a strong group of continuing Board members and I look forward to putting my energies to the service of the congregation and working with the new Board.
Matt Nydell
I am a seasoned corporate lawyer and executive, supporting small start-ups to global multinationals for over 35 years. Aside from my role as General Counsel for many companies, I have served as head of HR, Investor Relations, Corporate Development, Information Technology, Software Development, and even Marketing at various times in my career. I have over 25 years of experience in corporate governance, serving on many for-profit and not-for-profit corporate boards, both as a member and as corporate secretary.
My most memorable “role” was as “First Husband” at Congregation Beth Jacob In Plymouth, MA which I dutifully served during my wife Marjorie’s four year reign as president. We have been married over 40 years and now live in the scenic foothills of Napa County on a 20 acre ranch. We are blessed with a wonderful son and daughter-in-law (Jonathan & Katie) together with a princess of a granddaughter, Leila, and our new grandson Caleb. I'm very excited about serving on the Shir Shalom Board and contributing to its future success.
I am a seasoned corporate lawyer and executive, supporting small start-ups to global multinationals for over 35 years. Aside from my role as General Counsel for many companies, I have served as head of HR, Investor Relations, Corporate Development, Information Technology, Software Development, and even Marketing at various times in my career. I have over 25 years of experience in corporate governance, serving on many for-profit and not-for-profit corporate boards, both as a member and as corporate secretary.
My most memorable “role” was as “First Husband” at Congregation Beth Jacob In Plymouth, MA which I dutifully served during my wife Marjorie’s four year reign as president. We have been married over 40 years and now live in the scenic foothills of Napa County on a 20 acre ranch. We are blessed with a wonderful son and daughter-in-law (Jonathan & Katie) together with a princess of a granddaughter, Leila, and our new grandson Caleb. I'm very excited about serving on the Shir Shalom Board and contributing to its future success.
Richard Preiss
I was born and raised in South Africa. After military service and an undergraduate education, I spent the next 2 years in Israel. I met my wife, Sherry, on Kibbutz Hanita. After living and working in Jerusalem, we moved to the United States where we both attended graduate school. Thereafter, we settled in northern New Jersey, and raised a son, Alex, (now in Brooklyn, NY) and a daughter Elyse, (now in San Francisco).
Between 1980 and 2021, I was a principal and vice president of a planning and real estate consulting firm, first in New York City, and later Hoboken, NJ. The practice was focused primarily on the New York metropolitan region. In 2021, Sherry and I both retired and moved to Sonoma to be closer to family, especially our grandson, Leon. Almost immediately upon arrival we joined CSS. I now enjoy teaching at the CSS Hebrew School, as well as volunteering for other Sonoma-based non-profit organizations. I'm excited to work closely with Rabbi Steve, Yaffa, the CSS Board and the congregation of Shir Shalom.
I was born and raised in South Africa. After military service and an undergraduate education, I spent the next 2 years in Israel. I met my wife, Sherry, on Kibbutz Hanita. After living and working in Jerusalem, we moved to the United States where we both attended graduate school. Thereafter, we settled in northern New Jersey, and raised a son, Alex, (now in Brooklyn, NY) and a daughter Elyse, (now in San Francisco).
Between 1980 and 2021, I was a principal and vice president of a planning and real estate consulting firm, first in New York City, and later Hoboken, NJ. The practice was focused primarily on the New York metropolitan region. In 2021, Sherry and I both retired and moved to Sonoma to be closer to family, especially our grandson, Leon. Almost immediately upon arrival we joined CSS. I now enjoy teaching at the CSS Hebrew School, as well as volunteering for other Sonoma-based non-profit organizations. I'm excited to work closely with Rabbi Steve, Yaffa, the CSS Board and the congregation of Shir Shalom.
Sydney S. Randazzo
A native Californian and 3rd generation Angeleno, my husband John and I moved full time to Sonoma from Mill Valley over 13 years ago. Prior to retiring, I worked in the San Francisco advertising industry for 10 years before opening a consulting business specializing in media planning. That led me to Sonoma and a 25-year relationship with Spanish winemaker Freixenet USA and their local subsidiary, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards.
Volunteer work has always been an important part of my life. While living in Mill Valley I served on the Board of To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, as chair of the grants committee, Vice President and, eventually, President of the Board. To Celebrate Life provides education and support services for women, men and their families who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. In Sonoma, I was a member of Impact100 for nine years and served on both the Impact Grant and Community Grant committees. I joined the Board of Directors of Impact and was later named President of the Board, serving for two years. As a member of Impact, I learned about the many nonprofits that serve the Sonoma Valley, including Teen Services Sonoma, which led me to join their Board—culminating with their merger with Boys & Girls Clubs in 2020.
John and I've worked on various CSS committees over the past seven years, and as a member of the CSS Board I look forward to contributing to its continued success, growth and presence in the Sonoma Valley.
A native Californian and 3rd generation Angeleno, my husband John and I moved full time to Sonoma from Mill Valley over 13 years ago. Prior to retiring, I worked in the San Francisco advertising industry for 10 years before opening a consulting business specializing in media planning. That led me to Sonoma and a 25-year relationship with Spanish winemaker Freixenet USA and their local subsidiary, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards.
Volunteer work has always been an important part of my life. While living in Mill Valley I served on the Board of To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, as chair of the grants committee, Vice President and, eventually, President of the Board. To Celebrate Life provides education and support services for women, men and their families who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. In Sonoma, I was a member of Impact100 for nine years and served on both the Impact Grant and Community Grant committees. I joined the Board of Directors of Impact and was later named President of the Board, serving for two years. As a member of Impact, I learned about the many nonprofits that serve the Sonoma Valley, including Teen Services Sonoma, which led me to join their Board—culminating with their merger with Boys & Girls Clubs in 2020.
John and I've worked on various CSS committees over the past seven years, and as a member of the CSS Board I look forward to contributing to its continued success, growth and presence in the Sonoma Valley.
Ken Wornick
I'm a 30-year career grape grower and winemaker. I've sat on numerous religious and cultural boards including Chair of the Board of the Jewish Day School in Foster City, officer positions at the “J” (the SF Jewish Newspaper), AIPAC, SF Federation, and active roles with Birthright and the Republican Jewish Coalition. In addition, I was more recently an officer of the board of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, and am currently Vice-Chair of the board at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival. My wife Cynthia and I have been married for 35 years and have three grown children. We enjoy all things outdoors, ranching, and motorcycling.
I'm honored to serve on the Shir Shalom Board and I hope my experience and energy will be a good addition to the talented folks currently serving.
I'm a 30-year career grape grower and winemaker. I've sat on numerous religious and cultural boards including Chair of the Board of the Jewish Day School in Foster City, officer positions at the “J” (the SF Jewish Newspaper), AIPAC, SF Federation, and active roles with Birthright and the Republican Jewish Coalition. In addition, I was more recently an officer of the board of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, and am currently Vice-Chair of the board at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival. My wife Cynthia and I have been married for 35 years and have three grown children. We enjoy all things outdoors, ranching, and motorcycling.
I'm honored to serve on the Shir Shalom Board and I hope my experience and energy will be a good addition to the talented folks currently serving.
