Administrative Staff
Tamah Kushner has been a member of Congregation Tikvat Jacob since 1997 when she moved here with her family from Washington, DC. When CTJ advertised for its first Executive Director, Tamah thought “I want that job”. She brings her non-profit experience to CTJ as well as heartfelt support for the community and her love of Judaism.
As well as being our Executive Director, Tamah periodically teaches adult ed classes and has been our beginning Hebrew teacher for many years. She has three children and a very patient and supportive husband. She can be found most weekdays and almost every Shabbat at CTJ.
Wendy Shabasis Administrative Assistant office@ctjmb.org
Wendy is a native Angelino who still resides on the Westside with her high school sweetheart/husband of more than 40 years. She has two sons and two grandchildren although she maintains that only her husband is old enough to have grandchildren. Throughout her working career, Wendy has worked in family businesses starting with her own family's ceramic manufacturing company. She is very happy to be working at CTJ within yet another warm and hamisch family.
Stella is a Los Angeles native who has worked in the Jewish community here and in Arizona for more than 20 years. She lives in Culver City with her husband and her two children. Stella's infectious and delightful laugh is alway a welcome sound at CTJ.
Zvia Hempling Bookkeeper
Zvia Hempling has been one of CTJ’s part-time bookkeepers since 2004. She has been a member of the CTJ community since 1988 serving on the board as recording secretary in the early 1990’s and again from 2001 to 2003 as assistant treasurer. Zvia received her bachelor’s degree in engineering from UCLA in 1984. She worked as an aerospace engineer from 1984 until 1987 when she joined her family’s manufacturing company. She worked in various capacities there that included administrative, human resources and bookkeeping responsibilities. Zvia is an active member of the CTJ Sisterhood and CTJ book club. She enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking, bicycling, skiing and running. Zvia recently became a yoga devotee and completed her 200 hour yoga teacher certification in December, 2010.
