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.
E. Michéle Samson
President Emeritus
We have an incredible community filled with open arms, warmth, compassion, spirituality, and love; I consider myself beyond fortunate to have found such a place. We are family.
Prior to serving as President, I got involved with my CSS by serving on the Education Committee, the Chesed Committee, was President of the Sisterhood for many years. I'm proud to have been in the Adult B’nai Mitzvah program, a spiritual goal of mine for many years. I've had a successful career in Real Estate for over 30 years and hold my license in Illinois and California. My husband Frank and I own Senior Care Authority, an elder care consulting company. Frank has an extremely informative podcast called Boomers Today and published a book called The Aging Boomers. In addition to my volunteer commitment to Shir Shalom, I served on the board of the Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club—chairing their annual fundraiser Fashion in the Vineyard, raising $80,000+ for seven straight years. I'm currently a member of the Cha Cha’s (Children’s Home Auxiliary) working directly with children at the Valley of the Moon Children’s Home.
Frank and I have lived in Sonoma since 2005; we joined CSS soon after we got settled. We're originally from Detroit, where we were married in 1978. We have a daughter and a son—both married to incredible people. Our children and five grandchildren are the center of our lives.
We're a small but mighty congregation in the Sonoma Valley. We marked our 25th anniversary in 2021 which gave me a chance to meet many more of you during our year of celebration. Thank you to our vibrant volunteers, your enthusiasm and dedication is an inspiration to continue making bigger and better things happen at Shir Shalom!
President Emeritus
We have an incredible community filled with open arms, warmth, compassion, spirituality, and love; I consider myself beyond fortunate to have found such a place. We are family.
Prior to serving as President, I got involved with my CSS by serving on the Education Committee, the Chesed Committee, was President of the Sisterhood for many years. I'm proud to have been in the Adult B’nai Mitzvah program, a spiritual goal of mine for many years. I've had a successful career in Real Estate for over 30 years and hold my license in Illinois and California. My husband Frank and I own Senior Care Authority, an elder care consulting company. Frank has an extremely informative podcast called Boomers Today and published a book called The Aging Boomers. In addition to my volunteer commitment to Shir Shalom, I served on the board of the Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club—chairing their annual fundraiser Fashion in the Vineyard, raising $80,000+ for seven straight years. I'm currently a member of the Cha Cha’s (Children’s Home Auxiliary) working directly with children at the Valley of the Moon Children’s Home.
Frank and I have lived in Sonoma since 2005; we joined CSS soon after we got settled. We're originally from Detroit, where we were married in 1978. We have a daughter and a son—both married to incredible people. Our children and five grandchildren are the center of our lives.
We're a small but mighty congregation in the Sonoma Valley. We marked our 25th anniversary in 2021 which gave me a chance to meet many more of you during our year of celebration. Thank you to our vibrant volunteers, your enthusiasm and dedication is an inspiration to continue making bigger and better things happen at Shir Shalom!
Ken Gertz
My wife Sue and I moved to Petaluma from the east coast in 2019. We've been married for almost 40 years and wanted to be closer to our daughter in San Francisco and our son in Salt Lake City. After many years on the east coast, we both felt ready to head west. We joined CSS soon after our move and found an incredibly welcoming congregation, a terrific rabbi, a broadly accepting religious approach, and great friends. The community at CSS has been there for us as we started this new phase in our lives, and I can't express how much that's meant to the two of us.
I've been in higher education my entire career, with my last position as Associate VP for Research at the University of Maryland. I'm experienced in strategic planning, fund raising, and relationship building, all to further my institutions' impact, funding and visibility. I've also served on numerous not-for-profit boards and committees, along with supervising a soup kitchen crew and mentoring kids. Both Sue and I feel strongly about giving back to our communities; we've fully embraced the North Bay Area and CSS. I'm honored to serve on Congregation Shir Shalom's Board of Directors, and hope my experience and energy will be a good addition to the very talented and caring folks currently serving.
My wife Sue and I moved to Petaluma from the east coast in 2019. We've been married for almost 40 years and wanted to be closer to our daughter in San Francisco and our son in Salt Lake City. After many years on the east coast, we both felt ready to head west. We joined CSS soon after our move and found an incredibly welcoming congregation, a terrific rabbi, a broadly accepting religious approach, and great friends. The community at CSS has been there for us as we started this new phase in our lives, and I can't express how much that's meant to the two of us.
I've been in higher education my entire career, with my last position as Associate VP for Research at the University of Maryland. I'm experienced in strategic planning, fund raising, and relationship building, all to further my institutions' impact, funding and visibility. I've also served on numerous not-for-profit boards and committees, along with supervising a soup kitchen crew and mentoring kids. Both Sue and I feel strongly about giving back to our communities; we've fully embraced the North Bay Area and CSS. I'm honored to serve on Congregation Shir Shalom's Board of Directors, and hope my experience and energy will be a good addition to the very talented and caring folks currently serving.
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.
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.
Gayle Stanford
I grew up on the west side of Chicago, and went to the University of Illinois, Chicago campus. My parents were always involved with Jewish causes, so it was only natural that I would follow their lead. I had been very active in the Jewish Federation when I lived in Los Angeles. We go to Israel almost every other year as most of my family lives there. I was fortunate to have the volunteer experience of living on a kibbutz for a year that gave me a much stronger connection to Israel.
My husband, Peter, and I were involved with our synagogue in Encino; I was on several committees, Peter was on the Board. We have a son in Santa Rosa and a son and daughter-in-law in LA. We bought a vacation home in Sonoma in 2013, and it became our primary residence in 2019. Although we had no intention of becoming involved in a synagogue again, we attended High Holiday services in 2018, and that changed our minds. The members were warm and welcoming and Rabbi Steve, well, he sealed the deal. We're so happy to be a part of this amazing, inclusive community, and look forward to getting to know our extended CSS family.
I grew up on the west side of Chicago, and went to the University of Illinois, Chicago campus. My parents were always involved with Jewish causes, so it was only natural that I would follow their lead. I had been very active in the Jewish Federation when I lived in Los Angeles. We go to Israel almost every other year as most of my family lives there. I was fortunate to have the volunteer experience of living on a kibbutz for a year that gave me a much stronger connection to Israel.
My husband, Peter, and I were involved with our synagogue in Encino; I was on several committees, Peter was on the Board. We have a son in Santa Rosa and a son and daughter-in-law in LA. We bought a vacation home in Sonoma in 2013, and it became our primary residence in 2019. Although we had no intention of becoming involved in a synagogue again, we attended High Holiday services in 2018, and that changed our minds. The members were warm and welcoming and Rabbi Steve, well, he sealed the deal. We're so happy to be a part of this amazing, inclusive community, and look forward to getting to know our extended CSS family.
