Kenneth serves on the Board of Trustees as a President.

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027.

Jeff is the Leader, Advisory Data and Insights for Spencer Stuart, and has over 25 years of experience as a consultant in the employee experience and organization transformation space. Jeff has worked with a large range of Fortune 500 companies using a range of measures, applied research, and analytics to help leaders create more engaging and effective work environments for their people. Jeff received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Ohio University, and B.A. in Psychology from Lawrence University in Wisconsin. He a Fellow in the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychologists and has over 100 publications and presentations to his name. Jeff lives in Getzville with his wife Marcy, and has been part of TBZ for the last 9 years since returning to WNY, and has served on the cantorial search, social action, and continuing education committees. He has two grown sons, Eddie who lives in Buffalo with his wife Ivy (also members of TBZ), and Joshua who is in medical school in Nebraska. Jeff enjoys performing with his improv troupe, working out, listening to podcasts, and walking his two dogs. 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2028

Jenn is a Certified Nurse Midwife and OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner at Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo.  Jenn has had the privilege of working in women’s health and bringing babies into the world for the past 28 years. Jenn grew up on Long Island and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Vermont and a Masters Degree in Perinatal and Neonatal Health from SUNY at Stony Brook.  Jenn is an accomplished and classically trained vocalist and has performed in a wide range of theatrical and musical productions. She is looking forward to serving her second term on the Board of Directors at TBZ. Previously she served on the Board of Directors of the JCC of Greater Buffalo and has served on both the TBZ Rabbinic and Cantorial Search Committees. Jennifer lives in Orchard Park and has two daughters. Perryn, a graduate of Marist University and Avery a sophomore at American University.

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2028

Sam is a Public Defender in the Buffalo City Court, a wife and a mother.Sam is committed to creating opportunities to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession and within our greater community. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Rochester. Sam is active in Buffalo's Legal Community, and she is currently Vice President of the Minority Bar Association of WNY. Sam was honored with the 2021 BAEC Liberty Bell Award and will be honored with the 2022 NAACP Daniel Akers Community Service Award.  Sam is a longtime resident of Buffalo’s East Side, Vice President of her Block Club, and has been a social justice activist for years. She is Chair of the East Side Garden Walk and a vocal advocate for the revitalization of the East Side of Buffalo. Sam has also served on the University at Buffalo Institutional Review Board since 2018 and was on the Board of Directors for Neighborhood Legal Services from 2019-2022.  Sam is married to Byron, and together they have a beautiful daughter. 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2028

Barry is the CEO of a marketing organization specializing in experiential marketing program management and logistics and direct to consumer/trade events for international wine and cheese consortiums, andhas been engaged in the Advertising/Promotions industry for over 55 years. Barry is member of several National Branding and Specialty products organizations.  Barry was past President and board member of Westwood Country Club.Barry attended the University of Miami (FL) and is a graduate of the University of Buffalo. Barry has achieved a National certification in Marketing/Management and holds several copyrights for sales and marketing programs he has developed. Barry lives in Williamsville with his wife Marilyn (Goldstein), has two children and 4 grandchildren and enjoys golf and working on creating stained glass decor pieces.  

 Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027.

 Kathy is a life time member of TBZ and her ancestors were the founding members.

Kathy currently is a Professor of Education at Erie Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Ithaca College, an MBA from SUNY Buffalo and a Master’s degree in education from Niagara University. Kathy has been a Board member at TBZ since 2021.Kathy is the Co-chair of the Ritual committee, co-chaired the Rabbi’s Transition Team and was a member of the Cantorial Search Committee.

She is back living in Eggertsville where she grew up, with her two cats, Mimi and Poppy. Her son Ezra Donner lives in Michigan and her daughter Hannah Donner (Nusinov) lives close by in Snyder.

Michael is a first generation TBZer and a first-time board member. Michael served on the 2023-2024 clergy search committee and is preparing the re-imagined TBZ Brotherhood for new social gatherings in 2024. Michael received two degrees from the University of Michigan and is still excited about Michigan’s recent National Championship.  Go Blue! 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027

A life-long Buffalonian, Christina Akers-DiCenzo, Esq. is a proud member of the Temple Beth Zion community since 2005 where she served on two rabbinic searches. As the founder of Akers-DiCenzo Law PLLC, Christina provides legal counsel and litigation services on behalf of employees. Christina received her Juris Doctor and Master of Urban Planning from SUNY Buffalo and her bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University. Christina enjoys time with her family, reading, gardening, and travel.  

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027

Kerri is the Director of Customer Service for United Healthcare and has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry.  Kerri grew up in Niskayuna, NY, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Government at Smith College, where she is currently serving as her Alumni Class President.  Kerri lives in Hamburg with her husband Michael, their daughter and their two pugs Charlotte and Louie.  Kerrie and Michael have been members of TBZ since 2017 and Kerri is passionate about helping TBZ members connect with the congregation and each other.  Kerri enjoys skiing in the winter and the outdoors in general.  

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2029.

Marla was born and raised in Syracuse (as was her husband Daniel), and after 20 years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she, Daniel and Eli are thrilled to call Buffalo home since August, 2023! Joining TBZ was one of the first things they did, and it has been a wonderful and welcoming experience ever since. As a first generation TBZer, Marla is excited to be a first-time board member.

Marla is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UB in the School of Management’s Organization and Human Resources Department and serves as the Faculty Director of LeaderCORE – a professional leadership development program for full-time MBA students. She has a PhD in Strategic Management from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland and has an MBA/MILR from Cornell University. Her undergraduate management degree is from Binghamton University.

Marla has been an active member of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America since 2009. She served in various volunteer leadership roles, both local and regional while in Baton Rouge, and is currently part of the National Assembly as the National Annual & Grass Roots Giving Chair in the Philanthropy Division.

Marla enjoys having the four seasons again and loves downhill and cross-country skiing with her friends and family.

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027

Larry is Special Counsel to the Kavinoky Cook LLP law firm. He concentrates in Public and Private Development, Real Property Law, and Municipal Law, drawing upon a thirty-year career in a wide range of public offices, including the unique experience of having been both the chief legal officer and the chief development and planning official for both the City of Buffalo and the County of Erie. Larry has also served as special counsel to a variety of public entities in their development projects, including the City of Buffalo, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and the Niagara Falls Housing Authority.  Larry is a graduate of the State University at Buffalo Law School and is active in a wide range of community activities. Larry received the 2021 UB Law School Distinguished Alumnus Award for Community Service and is a Past President of Temple Beth Zion and of Jewish Family Services of Western New York.  Larry and his wife Debra Chernoff live in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village, as do their two sons, their older son Aaron Assistant Erie County Attorney and Adam is a librarian in the Special Collections division at the Central Library of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Larry and Debra like to cook and entertain and visit cities around the world. 

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2027

Jonathan lives in Amherst with his wife, Heather, and their three children, who are proud fifth-generation members of Temple Beth Zion. Jonathan grew up at TBZ and rejoined the congregation in 2022 after returning to Buffalo from Pittsburgh. He previously served on the Cantorial Transition Committee and has twice taken the stage as King Ahasuerus in the TBZ Purim Spiel.

Jonathan currently serves as Attorney-in-Charge for matters involving the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision within the Office of the Inspector General, where he leads the statewide oversight team focused on DOCCS-related investigations and accountability. He previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on financial oversight and fraud prevention initiatives.

Jonathan earned his J.D. from the University of Pittsburg School of Law and holds a B.A. from the University at Buffalo.

Current Temple Beth Zion Board term expires: June 2028

Sara is a third-generation member of Temple Beth Zion. After moving back to Buffalo in 1982 she and her husband Steve rejoined TBZ and quickly got involved. Sara has co-chaired the music committee and the social action committee, and has enjoyed being on the culinary committee. She served for a term on the Board of Trustees in the 90's as well.

Sara has an MFA in Music Therapy from New York University and worked in the field of Mental Health in NYC and N.J. In WNY she has worked at TBZ as a Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher, a music teacher, the Family Education Director and TBaZY advisor. She also filled in as a B'nai Mitzvah tutor when needed. In 2002 she completed the Shaliach Kehilah (Synagogue Associate) program at HUC, Cincinnati. In 2010 Sara completed the Jewish Meditation Teacher Training program with the Jewish Institute of Spirituality. For many years she led services as a Cantorial Soloist at TBZ and the Weinberg Campus. She also finished Chaplaincy training in the Pastoral Education program at Sisters Hospital. She worked for many years at Weinberg and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center using music as a healing art. Sara is retired and dividing her time between 7 grandchildren and volunteering as a climate activist with Sierra Club Niagara Group, WNY Interfaith Climate Community and Climate Reality Project. She was recognized at the Town of Amherst 2025 State of the Town address for outstanding support and activism toward sustainability.

Sisterhood Representative