Congregation Tikvat Jacob

Rabbi Carrie Benveniste's career as an educator began during her undergraduate years at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, when she worked with teen parents in the Americorp Teen Academic Parenting program.   She was ordained at the Zeigler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University here in Los Angeles.  Since then she taught in both after school religious school programs and day school programs.  She has served as the director of a small congregational school in San Luis Obispo, the co-director of a congregational school in Venice, and most recently, the Malibu Jewish Center, where she was the Director of Education and the Assistant Rabbi.  Rabbi Carrie created a Heder program, a unique approach to the challenges of running small religious schools, that used in several different religious settings.  We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Carrie and her love of Judaism, creative spirit and commitment to quality Jewish education to CTJ.

Creating a meaningful and enriching B’nai Mitzvah experience for CTJ families, providing a nurturing and spiritual educational environment for all types of learners and building a lifelong sense of Jewish connection for all her students is Cantor Beth Garden’s top priority.

Cantor Garden received her Cantorial Certification through the American Conference of Cantors and Hebrew Union College in 2006. Born in Syracuse, NY, and raised in the Seattle area, Beth has had a lifelong interest in music of all types. She received her Bachelor’s and Masters degrees (from Northwestern University and Yale University) in Music, specializing in flute, and has performed with orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout North America and Europe.

Prior to being appointed B’nai Mitzvah Program Director /Associate Cantor at Congregation Tikvat Jacob, Cantor Garden served as the Cantor for Temple Sinai in Palm Desert, California, where she created an innovative b’nai mitzvah program with web based materials. She was also sought-after as a performer and teacher for various Jewish community events and was a regular contributor to the “Words of Faith” column in The Desert Sun. Cantor Garden has been recognized for her interfaith work by Spiritual Life Ministries, and served as President of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Community School of the Desert. She has also been an active volunteer for National Charity League, The Mid- Valley Interfaith Council and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Along with her husband Arthur Cohen and their 15-year-old son, Myles, the Cohen/Garden family make their home in Manhattan Beach and have loved becoming a part of Congregation Tikvat Jacob. Their older daughter Alexandra is currently a Senior at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

When she is not at the synagogue, Cantor Garden enjoys cycling in the hills of the Palos Verdes peninsula, practicing Yoga, and running, as well as knitting and shopping for shoes. 

Amir Orbach was born and raised in Ra'anana, Israel (a little town just outside Tel Aviv). After completing his military service he moved to New York City to pursue his acting career. Amir studied in some of the finest acting schools in the world and performed in various productions around New York City and in the southern part of the United States. At the same time, Amir discovered his love and passion for Jewish Education and started teaching Hebrew and Judaic Studies in Manhattan (New York).

In 2008, Amir moved to Los Angeles and immediately started teaching at CTJ. It wasn't long before Amir also became the Religious School's Assistant to the Director of Education, as well as Youth Director.

In 2011 Amir won the prestigious Smotrich award for excellence in teaching from the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angeles. Amir is also currently studying towards his Masters degree in Jewish Education at the American Jewish University.