Jim Simon, Senior Interim Rabbi
Rabbi Simon joined Temple Beth-El at the beginning of June 2023. Rabbi Simon offers almost forty years of experience in transitional and spiritual leadership to synagogues and congregations. He is committed to creating thriving communities and guiding individuals through challenging crises of both life and faith. Rabbi Simon has a successful background in organizational leadership, Rabbinic program development, and mission-oriented strategic planning.
Rabbi Barry Altman, Emeritus
Rabbi Barry Altman is the Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth-El in Ormond Beach, FL. He was a Senior Rabbi from 1975 until his retirement in 2014 and previous to that, he was associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Am, in Miami. He has also served congregations in West Virginia, Guatemala and Hawaii.
Rabbi Altman recently retired from the faculty at Stetson University. He has also taught at Bethune Cookman College with the rank of Associate Professor. His many community activities include, past president of the Halifax Area Ministerial Association, board member of the United Way, Family Renew Community Center, and Habitat for Humanity.
Jonathan Frankel, Temple Administrator & Religious School Director
Jonathan joined the Temple Beth-El team in 2023. He brings with him more than 15 years of experience in small business development and private education. Born and raised in Florida, Jonathan holds a Doctorate in Education and a Master’s in Business Administration from The University of Florida. He loves to learn new things and is particularly passionate about history but his greatest motivations are his wife and children; they inspire him every day.
Natalie Dardick, Administrative Assistant
natalie.dardick@templebeth-el.us
Natalie moved to Ponce Inlet, Florida in 2015 from the Richmond, Virginia area. She loves working with all the incredibly kind and caring members of Temple Beth-El. She enjoys being in the same building as the Temple Beth-El School as their staff and teachers are incredible, and she gets to see the children on a daily basis. Natalie has worked in computer systems in the past, and taught computers and 5th grade at Rudlin Torah Academy in Richmond, VA.
Robert Orange, Bookkeeper
robert.orange@templebeth-el.us
Robert Orange is our in-house bookkeeper. He hails from the state of Georgia where he worked for the state in a variety of financial positions. He will be assisting our treasurer to manage the congregations’ finances each month. Robert and his wife, Kathi, moved down from Georgia one year ago.
Steve Lorenzen, Custodian
Steve has been taking care of everything in our building for over 20 years! Steve has 3 awesome sons.