David M. Sofian, Rabbi

David Sofian, Temple Israel's senior rabbi since 2003, is a passionate teacher of adults and children. Whether teaching Talmud and Torah during the week, preaching or teaching on Shabbat, or participating in community programs and events, David represents Temple and Judaism approachably and appealingly.

Each summer, Rabbi Sofian spends a few weeks at GUCI, the Reform Jewish camp in Zionsville, IN, lending his knowledge and skills to help create a Jewish summer experience for kids from the region.  He brings the music and energy of camp back to Temple Israel, where the songs often find their way into Share Shabbat, Temple’s monthly informal service and potluck dinner.

A former member of the ARZA National Board, Rabbi Sofian cares deeply about Israel.  He and his wife, Simone, have lived, traveled and studied in Israel frequently, including a Sabbatical in Jerusalem in 1989 with their children. He shares his love for our Jewish homeland with members of Temple Israel on congregational trips every few years.

Rabbi Sofian serves on the Board of Miami Valley Hospital, is a member of the Dayton Synagogue Forum and is working with Pastor Rod Kennedy of First Baptist Church to form a downtown Dayton church and synagogue association. He studies and meets regularly with other rabbis and non-Jewish clergy.

After earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri and being ordained at Hebrew Union College, David began his rabbinic career as assistant to Rabbi Stanley Davids at Temple Emanuel in Worcester, MA. He served Temple Shaarai Shomayim in Lancaster, PA from 1980 to 1993, and Emanuel Congregation in Chicago from 1993 to 2003.

David’s wife, Simone, holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in French literature with a minor in Hebrew.  They have three grown children.

Karen Bodney-Halasz, Rabbi-Educator Jerome Epstein Family Director of Education Karen joined Temple Israel as educator in 2003, became the Jerome Epstein Director of Education in 2005 and added Rabbi to her title following her ordination in June 2007. Karen, a product of the Reform movement, grew up at Congregation B’nai Jehudah in Kansas City and attended Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, IN.  She has returned to both settings, serving B’nai Jehudah as a rabbinic intern and GUCI as a unit head. At Temple Israel, Rabbi Bodney-Halasz supervises the religious school, youth groups, Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation and retreat programs.  With Rabbi Sofian, she has developed and led retreats for religious school students and adults and families in the congregation.  She is co-director of Dayton’s supplemental community Jewish high school, B’yachad. Assisted by Rabbi Sofian and members of the religious school committee, Karen crafted a curriculum specifically for Temple Israel’s religious school.  The curriculum draws upon published materials, custom content and current teaching theory to convey the concepts and information most important to our congregation.  It builds from year to year with age-appropriate lessons and activities that engage children intellectually, physically and creatively in Jewish study. In addition to her rabbinic ordination from HUC, Karen holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University.  Karen and her husband, Scott Halasz, a Dayton native, live in Centerville. Send an e-mail to Karen.

Alan Halpern, Executive Director and Sh'liach Tzibbur Alan, a Dayton resident since 1996, joined Temple Israel’s staff as interim executive director in 2002 after facilitating the congregation’s Synagogue 2000 team and serving as a board member.  He was appointed full-time executive director and Sh’liach Tzibbur (prayer leader) in 2003, and provides administrative and musical leadership for the congregation. As executive director, Alan oversees Temple's finances, facilities, cemetery, human resources and marketing, and supports the board of directors and executive committee.  As Sh'liach Tzibbur, he leads Shabbat and High Holiday services, participates in lifecycle events and teaches in Temple's mini-university.  A classically trained bass-baritone, Alan is at home with both contemporary and traditional music of the Reform movement.  Since joining Temple Israel, he has worked consistently to encourage and facilitate congregational singing at services.  Alan performs regularly around the Miami Valley as a recitalist, including performances at the Dayton Art Institute and University of Dayton. A graduate of the Reform movement’s Sh’liach Kehillah program, Alan has also attended training programs for congregational musicians.  He is a senior member of the National Association of Temple Administrators. Alan holds an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a masters in business administration from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.  He has worked as a management consultant in strategy, marketing and operations and led the business development and marketing functions of for-profit companies.  He is a trustee of Wright Memorial Public Library in Oakwood.  Prior to business school, he taught middle school and served Yale as an alumni affairs officer. Alan lives in Oakwood with his wife, Julie, and their two sons.  Send an e-mail to Alan.

Dena Shaffer, Rabbinic Intern

Dena, a fourth-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, joined Temple Israel's staff in 2008.  She advises TIDY, Temple's senior youth group; teaches eighth grade in our religious school; and assists with services, pastoral care and other rabbinic duties.

Send an e-mail to Dena.