Rodef Shalom Congregation hires new executive director

Steve Bram has accepted an offer to become the new Murray Klein Executive Director of Rodef Shalom Congregation beginning July 15.

Bram’s hiring comes after a nationwide search led by Vantagen LLC and a search committee chaired by Pearl Moore and Sarah Wertheimer, comprised of Rodef Shalom congregants and board members.  He will take over for Jeff Herzog who is retiring after leading the congregation for 22 years.

“It’s an honor to follow Jeff Herzog, my cherished colleague for many years, as Rodef Shalom’s new executive director,” said Bram in a press release from the congregation.  “It will be exciting to work at a historic temple with a magnificent history and a bright future.”

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Bram was selected from more than 30 applicants as the top candidate with the skills needed to lead the congregation, according to a letter to members from Ann Bass Roth, president of Rodef Shalom.

“We had a lot of applicants,” said Lauren Wolcott, Rodef Shalom’s communications coordinator.  “We believe that Steve is the best qualified applicant, so we are really happy to have him.”

Bram is leaving his position as executive director of Temple Sinai in Atlanta, and will move to Pittsburgh with his wife Laura in the coming weeks.

Bram is a certified Fellow in Temple Administration with 28 years of temple administrative experience.  Before working at Temple Sinai in Atlanta, he served as the executive director at Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis, Mo., and as the executive director and program director at Temple Adath Israel in Lexington, Ky.

Bram is a member of the National Association of Temple Administrators.  He has a master’s of science degree in social administration and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

“I’m confident we’ve secured the very best candidate for what is a complicated job,” said Bass Roth in a press release.  “Steve Bram has the experience, skills and new ideas to keep our congregation moving forward.  I could not be more pleased to welcome Steve to Rodef Shalom.” 

(Andrew Goldstein can be reached at andrewg@thejewishchronicle.net.)