We Are Temple Beth-El
Our Annual Fundraising Campaign 2025-2026
Choosing membership at Temple is an intentional act of belonging.
It’s a commitment to a place, to a people - and a purpose.
Choosing to support 'We Are Temple Beth-El' is an intentional act of giving.
Make an Impact Today
Your gift to the “We Are Temple Beth-El” initiative provides immediate support for our community. Every contribution makes a difference—our goal is 100% participation.
Build a Path for Tomorrow
Provide long-term stability by increasing your financial commitment and making a two-year pledge. Your support—at the fair share level of $3,200 or more, helps Temple plan ahead with confidence.
Establish a Legacy Forever
Leave a lasting legacy through a bequest, helping to sustain Temple’s endowment and secure Jewish life for future generations.
Thank you to those who have increased their Annual Membership commitment or who have made a Gift to "We Are Temple Beth-El"
Also included below are those who have adjusted Security and/or COFR fees or are now covering credit card fees (as of 4/9/2026)
If you have any questions, please contact Aliyah Kuchinsky at 210-733-9135 x109 or akuchinsky@beth-elsa.org
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Victoria Aarons and Salomon Willis
Alan Adelman
Sandra and Steven Alexander
Ann Astleford
Amber Liddell Alwais and Randy Alwais
Claudia and Donald Bankler
Susan Barenberg
Elizabeth Bettelheim Family Foundation
Henry Berez
Cindy and Bobby Berman
Laurel and Jared Bluntzer
Sara and James Botello
Elise and Craig Boyan
Marjorie Brody
Marc Brown and Family
Irene Burns
Ginny Burris
Clay Callaway
Isaiah Carolin
Elaine and Michael Chafetz
Lawrence and Luann Cohen
Pam and Bob Cohen
Gabrielle Conlee
Hazel Davis and Nathan Anderson
Terry and Russell Davis
Clarance Dickinson and Calvin Hammock
Jennifer and Mark Eichelbaum
Marlene and *Mel Eichelbaum
Jennifer and Rob Eichelbaum
Lauren and Blake Erwin
Anna Falkenberg
Sarah and Timothy Flotte
Frost Bank
Carly and Duncan Friedman
Ruth and Luis Fajner
Jean Friedberg
Mark Friedman
Jody and Jack Fries
Kristin and Bregger Garrison
Lazarus-Gershenhorn Family Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation
Robin Getter
Terry Glaser
Laura and Milton Glueck
Ami Gordon and Scott Henslee
AJ Gold
Elizabeth and Stephen Golden
Ceci and Michael Goldstone
Bill Goodman
Ilene Greene
H-E-B
Glenda and Michael Halpern
Danna and Jim Halff
Jacob and Travis Hampton
Linda Harris
Sharon Hellman-Freiberg
Efosa Idusuyi
Mark Ingram and Trent Boarnet
Linda Kaufman
Warren Kaufman and Brian Allen
Ellen Kolman
Stephen and Elaine Kovner
Gayle and Ronald Kipp
Martin Kushner
Nancy and Morris Kirschberg
Karchmer Foundation
Elyssa and Jason Kane
Michel Munguia and Mark Kapner
Marsha Krassner and David Spener
Laura and Weir Labatt
Kendra and James Lance
Judy Lachman
Andrew Leos
Charlotte Leddy
Ann and Hank Lipsitt
Donna and Stephen Loeb
Robin Long
Mina López
Patricia and Charles Marcus
Richard Martinez
Judy and William Montville
Jeffrey and Barbara Moss
Cassidy Luitjen and Eric Minoff
John Newman Family Charitable Fund
Mitchell Kaliff and Bruce Smiley-Kaliff
Sandy Nachman
nathalie
Ann and Roger Ojeda
Lauren and Jason O'Krent
David Palans
Georgia Piez
Harriet and David Pinansky
Joan Plotnick
Lauri and Richard Pollak
Charlotte and Robert Pollock
Lauri and Mark Porter
Cathy and Jim Pottorf
Carrie and Adam Price
Bonnie Reed and Stu Schlossberg
Jerry Rehmar
Jennifer and Jay Riven
Yvonne Rodriguez
Rachel and David Rogoff
Jeffrey Rollman
Debbie and Marty Roos
Rachael and David Rubenstein
Drs. Lauren Sadowsky and Hunter Phillips
Julie and Edward Sankary
John Seidenfeld and Mary Barad
Leonard Shefts
Leslie Siegel
AnnDee and James Steidel
Kay and Dennis Stein
Lori and Adam Stockstiel
Amy and Henry Strickland
Claudia Stokes and David Liss
Rabbi Samuel and Lynn Stahl
Susan Susser and Albert McCall
Kenneth Train
Beth and Dmitry Tuder
Joanna and Bruce Turbow
Sarah VanMaanen
Daniel Vela
Bette and Jack Vexler
Jeff and Catherine Vexler
Ethel and Richard Wayne
Brian and Tina Weiner
Mary and Gordon Weiner
Ann Winer
Marcia Goren Weser
Sylvia Wolff
Staff Testimonials
Rabbi Marina Yergin
Associate Rabbi
Who We’ve Become—Together
I came to Temple Beth-El right out of rabbinic school, and over the past 11 years, this community has helped me become the rabbi I am today. Whether you know it or not, you have been part of that. In that time, I have had the privilege of walking alongside so many of you at the most meaningful moments of your Jewish lives. I am deeply grateful for the relationships I have built with Temple teens, accompanying them as they have grown into their Judaism with honesty, curiosity, and so much heart.
Many of them have since moved into the next stage of life as young adults, and I love knowing that those connections continue as they keep growing into themselves and stepping out into the world. In our religious school, I have been proud to help expand our t’fillah curriculum so that students not only learn the Hebrew of Jewish prayer, but also begin to understand the meaning behind those words and the experience of worship itself. Being part of that growth in their Jewish learning is something I will carry with me. By the time I leave my role at the end of May, I will have worked with more than 160 people on their Jewish journeys through conversion. Each of those journeys is a story of learning, courage, and connection. I like to joke that I “make Jews,” but what I really get to witness is something much more meaningful: people finding a deep sense of belonging in Jewish life and in the Temple Beth-El community. So much of the rabbinate happens in quieter moments too: in hospital rooms, at bedsides, with families in grief, and in times of joy and celebration. Those moments, no less than the public ones, have shaped me and deepened my love for this congregation. What I’m most proud of after 11 years isn’t just what I’ve accomplished here, but who we’ve become together. Temple Beth-El is a community where people are cared for, challenged, supported, and inspired to grow. That kind of community does not happen by accident. It is built through commitment, relationship, and generosity. If Temple Beth-El has made a difference in your life, or in the life of someone you love, I hope you will support the We Are Temple campaign. Your gift helps ensure that this community can continue to nurture Jewish journeys, learning, growth, and connection for years to come. Thank you for being part of my rabbinate, and for helping shape the rabbi I have become.
Dollie Closna
Executive Assistant to the Senior Rabbi
Be A Mensch.
As we welcome 2026, I’ve been thinking a lot about one simple, powerful word: mensch. A mensch isn’t someone who does everything, or gives all that they have. A mensch is someone who lives with intention. Someone who notices. Someone who understands that community isn’t something you consume — it’s something you help create. So as we begin a new year together, I want to invite you into a gentle challenge: How will you be a mensch at Temple Beth-El this year?
Here are just a few ways — none of them big, all of them meaningful: Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know yet — at an Oneg, a Shabbat dinner, or a lecture. Try something new — attend Torah Study if you haven’t yet, or volunteer to be a Greeter at Shabbat services. Change your space — sit somewhere different in the Wulfe Sanctuary, or at a Shabbat dinner encourage everyone to sit at a new table. Making friends is a building block of a strong community.Tell a friend, neighbor, or colleague about something happening at Temple — how many new folks can you invite this year? Reach out to someone you haven’t seen around in a while, or let someone know an upcoming event is right up their alley. Say thank you to a volunteer or staff member who added value to your day — or made it easier. None of these acts require a committee, a title, or a long-term commitment.They simply require the belief that these things matter. Because they do. They matter to the person attending an Oneg for the very first time.They matter to the family newly enrolled in Beit Midrash.They matter to the friend who’s been curious about engaging Jewishly in San Antonio and believes Temple Beth-El might be the place for them. And one more meaningful way to be a mensch — especially in the last few hours before this year comes to a close — is by making a year-end, tax-deductible gift to Temple Beth-El. Your generosity can be in honor, memory, or in appreciation of or for someone. A gift today is not only an investment in our shared future — it’s a tangible expression of the values we hold dear. The value of being a mensch. As part of our We Are Temple campaign, I invite you to consider making your year-end contribution today and helping ensure that Temple Beth-El remains a vibrant, caring, and connected community for all. So here’s the question I’ll leave you with: How many of these good deeds can you check off your list this year?
Eric Ryniker
Executive Director
Sustain the Moments That Matter
As the year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what a privilege it is to serve Temple Beth-El.
As Executive Director, I hold a unique vantage point on Temple life. I see the full mosaic of our community—often behind the scenes—in ways that differ from our clergy, staff, volunteers, and members. I see the quiet moments before High Holy Day services begin. I watch new families step into our beautiful Wulfe Sanctuary for the first time. I witness the joyful chaos of celebrations and the tender moments that arise during personal crisis.
I see resilience. I see generosity offered without fanfare. Each day, I witness how deeply people care for one another. I see B’nai Mitzvah students grow in confidence, families mark milestones, and a community show up for each other. None of this happens by accident. It happens because people believe Temple matters—and choose to invest in it. My vantage point also gives me this certainty: a congregation that shows up for people in moments of joy, sadness, triumph, and crisis must be supported long before those moments arrive. When we give, we make it possible for Temple to be there—not only when we need it, but for those who will need it next. As our Temple President, Mark Eichelbaum, noted on Rosh Hashanah Eve: That is the way a congregation works. That is the way a congregation thrives. As we approach the end of the calendar year, I invite you to consider making a year-end gift or increasing your commitment to Temple. Your generosity sustains the moments I’ve been fortunate to witness—for those who need us today, for those who will walk through our doors in 2026, and for all who seek a place to cultivate their Jewish lives in the years ahead. Every contribution, at every level, is a choice—one that says: Temple is worth sustaining. Thank you for being part of this remarkable year, and for all the ways—seen and unseen—that you help shape who we are. After all, We Are Temple Beth-El.
Cantor Seth Ettinger
Cantor
With Gratitude: A Thanksgiving Message
With Thanksgiving approaching—a very “Jew-ish” holiday—I find myself reflecting on gratitude, a value embedded deeply in our shared Jewish identity. In Hebrew, you can’t spell Yehudi (Jew) without hoda’ah (gratitude). Jewish tradition teaches that blessing and gratitude are inseparable; as the poet and philosopher Judah HaLevi taught, through our prayers and blessings we keep God present in our hearts. In this way, our blessings become our Jewish “grati-tunes,” expressions of thanks that naturally rise up in song.
From the Song at the Sea to the joyful call of the Psalms, our ancestors teach us that gratitude leads us to lift our voices. When we truly see the blessings in our lives, we respond with music, joy, and community. Over the past year and a half as your cantor, I have become profoundly aware of the blessings within our Temple Beth-El family. I have 'heard the melodies' of your "gratitunes" in so many forms: • New parents singing prayers joyfully as their children are blessed and welcomed into the Jewish people. • Families in mourning expressing gratitude for the compassion and comfort they receive when it's needed the most. • The in unison and heartfelt “Shabbat Shalom!” I hear the moment I step into the Joske Foyer. • The songs of our Kol Simcha Adult Choir and Temple's new Kol Rina Youth Choir, whose enthusiasm fills our Oppenheimer Chapel and follows them home. These moments are the soundtrack of our community—and each one deepens my own "gratitune" to God for guiding me to San Antonio, where I have been met with love, trust, and overwhelming support - thanks to each and every one of you. YOU are the heartbeat of our Temple. YOU transform our Beth-El Dome from a building into a home. And because of that - WE Are Temple. With "gratitune" for every one of you.
Rabbi Mara Nathan
Senior Rabbi
Help Our Sacred Community Flourish
And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. - Exodus 25:8
God speaks these words to Moses as the Israelites plan to construct the Mishkan or Tabernacle- the portable sanctuary that they will take with them during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The Hebrew phrase v’shachanti b’tocham, is generally translated as “that I may dwell among them.” However, b’tocham can also be translated as “within them.” The 19th century Russian Torah scholar, the Malbim, explained that “the physical sanctuary…is just a reminder of what God really wants- that each person builds a sanctuary within his or her heart for God to dwell therein….”
Malbim’s teaching reminds me of how each of us plays an essential role in maintaining the vitality of our congregational community. Our Temple is more than a house of prayer. It is a place of learning and a place of caring-- a physical manifestation of the holiness we each bring to the world. That holiness is felt most keenly in the moments of ‘betweenness’ we share. When we turn to face each other, when we listen with open hearts, when we celebrate each other’s simchas and mourn each other’s losses, when we welcome each other with love and respect- despite our differences, and our imperfections, God’s presence dwells in us and among us. In a world where uncertainty and chaos are ever present, being part of our congregational family feels more important than ever. As we prepare to gather for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, welcoming the Jewish New Year of 5786, consider how you can do your part to strengthen the physical and spiritual sanctuary that is Temple Beth-El. Whether you make a one-time gift or increase your annual commitment, your investment will insure the continued flourishing of our sacred community.
Ellen Barshop
Director of Congregational Learning
Add Your Own Ingredient.
In the classic story Stone Soup, a hungry traveler begins making soup with just a stone, sparking the curiosity of villagers who each decide to add their own ingredients. Together, they create a hearty meal and discover the power of sharing and community.
The story of Stone Soup beautifully reflects the spirit of beginning a new religious school year, through a Jewish lens. In the tale, each person brings a small offering, and together they create something greater than anyone could alone—just as in Judaism, we value kehillah (community), where everyone’s unique contribution is essential.
As we begin this new school year, students bring curiosity, teachers bring Torah and guidance, families bring support and love and every Temple household, through their membership commitment, provides the framework for it all to be possible —each one fulfilling the mitzvah of Talmud Torah (Jewish learning). Like the soup, the learning and growth Temple can provide is at its richest when we come together with generosity, intention, and shared purpose. This reflects the Jewish value of arevut, the idea that all Jews are responsible for one another. With each small act—just like each ingredient—we build a warm, meaningful, and sacred year ahead for our students. Community is built not from one big thing, but from many small, heartfelt contributions. If you haven't already made your “We Are Temple” contribution through a one-time gift or increasing your membership support, we invite you to add your own ingredients today and discover the beauty of contributing to your sacred community.
Ross Halfant
Director of Programming & Social Justice
The call to pursue Justice.
Justice is at risk. Access to the truth is growing increasingly demanding and many of us feel fragile in today's troubling climate. Yet, Temple Beth-El stands strong and continues to be here - for you and everyone who needs us.
For over 150 years, and from generation to generation, our congregation has consistently answered the call to pursue justice. Our rabbinic and lay leaders have taken bold stances on issues like civil and workers' rights, as well as their collaborations with interfaith leaders and efforts toward racial desegregation.
In contemporary times, our dedicated Clergy continuously lead us in uniting acts of tikkun olam, repairing the world, as a community. From San Antonio to Austin to Washington, DC, Temple has advocated, learned, marched, and built partnerships across lines of difference to bring about lasting change. Every time we enter our historic space, we are reminded of the work we must do as Reform Jews. Prophetic text and a shared tradition commanding us to care for the stranger, to love our neighbor, and to seek justice not as a passing value, but as a way of everyday life. Now, it is more important than ever to support vital voices that uplift, inspire, and educate while including everyone. As it says in Pirkei Avot (2:5), “Do not separate yourself from the community,” and Temple is where we come together to learn, to celebrate, to act, and to care for one another. Membership is not just a benefit. It’s our sacred responsibility. Your financial support ensures that everyone has access to the richness of Jewish life. From Torah study to streamed Shabbat services, from words of wisdom from our Clergy to community service and advocacy opportunities. Temple's diverse programming remains accessible to all, regardless of financial contribution. This radical welcome, rooted in audacious hospitality, is something special and it’s something worth sustaining. When you give to We Are Temple Beth-El, by making a one-time gift or increasing your annual commitment, you’re not just helping us meet a financial goal. You’re investing in a shared, moral voice that inspires, a legacy of justice that endures, and a spiritual home that gives freely to all who seek it. Give boldly and generously. Create, and support, Jewish joy. That's Temple Beth-El, and it's who we are.
Aliyah Kuchinsky
Director of Philanthropy & Member Engagement
Making the Choice to be here.
Choosing membership at Temple is an intentional act of belonging. It’s a commitment to a place, to a people - and a purpose. When I deliver a membership report to our Board of Trustees, I do so with immense pride—because our new members are living out the intentions and values that brought them here.
They’re enrolling in Beit Midrash, attending Shabbat services, volunteering, studying Torah, building friendships—and becoming the friend someone else was hoping to find.
This is Jewish community, this IS Temple Beth-El. Since beginning my professional journey at Temple Beth-El last year, I've had the privilege of welcoming 64 new households to our sacred community. Each person or family arrived with their own unique reasons for joining-but they all share something powerful: they made the choice to be here. As new members join our community, we’ve streamlined the process—most now set up recurring payments, ensuring steady support. They also recognize the importance of contributing to the Security and COFR Funds, vital to our safety, upkeep, and long-term strength. As we begin our new fiscal year (2025–2026), I invite you to take a moment to log in to the secure form linked below and review your Annual Commitment. Your support provides nearly half of the funding that makes Temple Beth-El possible. In addition to your Annual Commitment, you'll also see two key fees: Security Fee – a $144 annual contribution that helps keep our sacred space safe. COFR Fee – a $240 annual contribution that supports the maintenance of our building and cemeteries. Currently, close to $120,000 in these fees will go uncollected across active member households this year, as those fees are not billed to their accounts. I encourage you to ensure you are contributing these vital fees. Whether you joined Temple decades ago or just recently, your presence is a choice—and your support is essential. The strength of our community depends on all of us. Our strength is so special, and the math is so simple - if each of us increase our commitment and ensure these fees are up to date, our “We Are Temple Beth-El” campaign will reach its goal. Together, we can build a strong and sustainable future.