Spotlight

David Zimring, Temple Beth Hillel Co-President

David is a life-long Jewish educator from coast to coast. He started Hebrew School as a kindergartner at Temple Etz Chaim near Los Angeles and went to the same school twice a week until his Bar Mitzvah. David then turned his focus to B’nai Mitzvah tutoring and teaching. For the past thirty five years he has taught dozens of students through their B’nai Mitzvah studies in California, Virginia, and Maryland.  After college and graduate school, David spent eight years teaching third, sixth, and seventh graders at Temple Emanuel in Roanoke, Virginia and Temple Or Chadash in Germantown, Maryland.
David is now in his tenth year teaching the B’nai Mitzvah class at Temple Beth Hillel. When David is not teaching Hebrew School, he lights up the classroom at Diablo Valley College as a history professor while also working as a stay at home dad.

Anna Stein, Temple Beth Hillel Co-President

Anna Stein was born in 1978 and emigrated from Moscow to the United States in 1989. She grew up in Berkeley, attended Midrasha at Congregation Beth El during high school, and later earned her degree from UC Berkeley. She has lived in the East Bay ever since.
Anna and her family joined Temple Beth Hillel in 2012 and appreciate being part of a community so close to home. Both of her children attended Hebrew school here, deepening their family’s connection to Jewish life.
As an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, being part of the Jewish community holds deep personal meaning for Anna. While she never sought out leadership roles, she believes that communities thrive when people step up—and this time, it was her turn.

Temple Beth Hillel kicked off Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller’s arrival with a fun and heartfelt “Ask Me Anything” gathering. Between lighthearted icebreakers and thoughtful questions, we got to hear about her journey—from a childhood steeped in Jewish music and youth leadership, to years of service in both large and small congregations, to formative time spent living and studying in Israel.

Rabbi Julie shared her excitement for our warm, close-knit community and her hopes for the future: welcoming more families with young children, deepening connections among members, creating vibrant and inclusive worship, and continuing our work for social justice, including connecting with other local congregations and addressing antisemitism.

The afternoon buzzed with ideas—more intergenerational events, a balance of beloved and new melodies, family-friendly service times, and expanded learning opportunities. Rabbi Julie emphasized that building the congregation’s future is a shared endeavor: “Think of yourself as part of how Temple Beth Hillel grows into the community you want it to be.”