RABBI TERRY A. BOOKMAN was ordained by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, in 1984. He holds a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. He received certification in the areas of secondary education, language and communication from the University of Colorado. He has vast teaching experience in both formal and informal settings and in 1988, received national recognition as a Reform Jewish Educator.
Rabbi Bookman has published numerous articles on a wide range of contemporary issues, as well as educational programs and curriculum. He is also a published poet.
After serving as rabbi of Congregation Sinai in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rabbi Bookman was chosen to become the Senior Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Am. Two years ago, Rabbi Bookman founded the National Retreat Center which provides workshops and programs for Jewish, Christian and interfaith groups. It is the hope of the Center to create a more loving and peaceful world through understanding and dialogue.
Rabbi Bookman is married to Karen Sobel, herself a Jewish Educator, and is the father of four sons, Ariel, Jonah, Micah and Jesse.
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RABBI HERBERT M. BAUMGARD is a native of Norfolk, Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia. He was ordained Rabbi at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of religion in 1950. He is regarded as one of the leading interpreters of Liberal Judaism, having written a number of brochures and popular pamphlets on the subject. Rabbi Baumgard has lectured at Columbia University in New York where he earned his doctorate degree in Semitics.
In addition to serving Temple Beth Am as a spiritual leader, Rabbi Baumgard served as director of the Southern Florida Council of Reform Congergations.
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CANTOR RACHELLE NELSON is a native Floridian and graduate of the University of Miami in both music education and composition. In addition, Cantor Nelson graduated from the Hebrew Union College in New York City – School of Sacred Music in 1984. She has been part of the Miami clergy for the past 12 years, first serving as Cantor at Temple Israel of Greater Miami and now for last four years at Temple Beth Am.
Cantor Nelson is skilled in four instruments: voice, piano, flute and guitar. She has performed concerts throughout the U.S. and Europe and has led several workshops on Jewish music. She has taught class at the University of Miami on the History of Jewish Music and has participated as a soloist in their festival concerts.
She is a composer of Jewish music and has several composition published through Transcontinental Music in New York City. Her music is extremely popular in synagogues across the United States.
Canter Nelson lives in South Dade with her husband Harvey Saunders, her twin daughters Rebecca and Leah and her two Labrador Retreivers, Goldie and Shira.
