Our Clergy
Benjamin Sharff – Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Benjamin Sharff joined Temple Israel in 2023. He is the son of Rabbi Robert and Linda Sharff. He grew up in Houston, TX, where he was raised in the Reform Movement and regularly attended URJ’s Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas.
He graduated from the University of Texas in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He did his Graduate Studies in American History at Sam Houston State University and then attended Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati and was ordained in 2004.
Prior to joining us at Temple Israel, Rabbi Sharff served congregations in Tucson, AZ; Baltimore, MD and Nyack, NY. He is passionate about helping people explore their own Jewish journeys. He is also a Brickner Fellow and a passionate advocate for all things social justice.
In addition, Rabbi has played rhythm guitar in several worship bands and is a fan of movies, comic books, and baseball.
Rabbi Sharff is happily married to Dr. Joy Sharff and together, they have three children Emily, Noah, and Alex.
Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin – Rabbi
Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, known for her warm and welcoming presence, engages congregants in moments of joyful Jewish living and learning. She is the friendly face that invites people of all ages into synagogue life to find connection and inspiration. Her rabbinate is filled with pastoral care, community building, moments of ritual creativity and innovation, and acts of tikkun olam (repair of the world).
Building, fostering, and sustaining relationships are the foundation of Rabbi Berezin’s rabbinate because she understands that they are the cornerstones to meaningful engagement in Jewish life. She is a fully present pastoral caregiver and an inspiring and intentional community builder who makes every person feel known. Rabbi Berezin thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys cultivating opportunities to partner with clergy, staff, and lay leaders to create moments of spiritual connection, caring community, and meaningful learning.
Along with her synagogue and pulpit responsibilities, Rabbi Berezin is passionate about supporting the broader community and ensuring that Reform Jewish values and voices are represented. She has served on numerous committees at the Jewish Federation of Omaha, sits on the Board of Directors for Together Omaha, the Nebraska Religious Council for Reproductive Freedom, and Friedel Jewish Academy, and is a faculty member at URJ Camp Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI).
Previously, Rabbi Berezin served as the Rabbi Educator at Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis, Missouri. As a student, she served congregations in Santa Ana, Lancaster, and Ventura, California as well as on the China Lake Naval Air and Weapons Station. She held internships at Jewish World Watch as the Harold M. Schulweis Rabbinic Intern and at Our House Grief Support Center, where she received training in grief support for both children and adults.
After graduating as a Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University where she double majored in Jewish Studies and Religious Studies and double minored in Hebrew and Psychology, Rabbi Berezin attended Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and was ordained in Los Angeles in May 2014. Her thesis was entitled “Ritual Reimagined: The Theory, Practice, and Innovation of Lifecycle Rituals.”
Rabbi Berezin’s writing has appeared in The Social Justice Torah Commentary and the CCAR Journal: The Reform Jewish Quarterly.
Rabbi Berezin and her husband, Jared Berezin, have two children, Robbie and Jack.
Cantor Joanna Alexander
Cantor Alexander is an experienced and talented cantor who is beloved by her congregants and colleagues alike for her warmth, her wisdom, and her sincerity. Both in her congregation and in the broader Reform movement, she has built a reputation as a dedicated and reliable clergy partner, a loving pastoral caregiver, and a skilled leader of innovation in ways that honor and affirm tradition. She enjoys teaching children to love Jewish music and is passionate about helping teens develop a Jewish ethical approach to navigating life’s challenges.
Cantor Alexander lives in Omaha with her husband Jacob and their three children, Evelyn, Brianna, and Brian.
Rabbi Aryeh Azriel – Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Azriel was the Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel from 1988-2016. After retirement, he is now the Rabbi Emeritus. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, he was invited to be a counselor at OSRUI, a Reform Jewish summer camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in 1973. Rabbi Azriel received his ordination and Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters in 1983 from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. He served as an Associate Rabbi at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation in Baltimore, Maryland, until 1988.
Rabbi Azriel was the recipient of the Otto Swanson Spirit of Service Award in 1993, and in 1997 received the Martin Luther King, Jr. – Living the Dream Award, recognizing his continuing work on building cooperation with projects such as the Mitzvah Garden, Black/Jewish Dialogue and Habitat for Humanity. He also received the Human Relations Award from the Omaha Education Association. Further in 2008 he received his Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College. Rabbi Azriel has been a visionary in directing the focus of the Tri Faith Initiative in Omaha, NE as a globally unique project that when complete will locate a synagogue, church and mosque together on one campus with a common desire to foster mutual understanding, respect and friendship.
Cantor Wendy Shermet – Cantor Emerita
Cantor Wendy Shermet retired in 2019 after serving Temple Israel for 18 wonderful years. She has a Master of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, and ordination and a Master of Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.
Our STAff
Anne Constantino
Interim Leadership Consultant
Anne Constantino, a Lincoln native, brings over 25 years of experience in executive leadership and fund
raising. A proud graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, Anne’s professional journey started in higher education, working in many areas of student affairs and faculty development. This experience naturally led her to the University of Nebraska Foundation, where she immersed herself in the art and science of fundraising. During her tenure, Anne developed and implemented strategies to secure major gifts and build donor relationships, learning the vital role philanthropy plays in shaping communities.
Anne’s career has also taken her through meaningful leadership roles, including serving as Interim Head of School at Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School and CEO of Children’s Respite Care Center in Omaha. Whether working with grassroots organizations or well-established nonprofits with multi-million-dollar budgets, Anne has a knack for driving growth and creating lasting impact.
In 2022, Anne decided to bring her wealth of experience to others by founding Constantino Consulting Agency. Her boutique agency focuses on leadership coaching, strategic planning, fundraising, and capacity building—helping organizations unlock their potential and create brighter futures. Known for her ability to build authentic, transformative relationships, Anne has guided organizations at all stages—from startups to long-established nonprofits—to achieve significant growth and sustainability.
Beyond her professional achievements, Anne is deeply invested in her community. She has been an active mentor and volunteer throughout her life. Anne and her husband, James have been married since 1998 and are proud parents to two sons, Roman (24) and Quinn (20).
Julee S. Levine, M.Ed.
Director of Education
Julee Levine joined the Temple Israel community as our Director of Education in 2024. She is a spirited and intentional Jewish educator, passionate about helping learners find their “why”. A career educator, she taught her first Religious School class in the 10th grade but had no idea that it was the beginning of what would become her calling. An alumna of the University of Florida (Go Gators!), she earned her Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Special Education. After UF, she returned to Jacksonville, Florida where she taught and worked as a Sunday school teacher and a youth group advisor, which ultimately led her to a career change in 1999. In 1999, she moved to Birmingham, Alabama to be the Youth Director at a synagogue, followed by a cross-country move to Northridge, CA where she began a 20-year adventure at Adat Ari El in Valley Village. During her time at Adat, she moved from Youth Director to Director of Supplemental Education, expanding her portfolio to include Teen Education & Engagement, Congregational Festival Programming and Director of the JLC (Jewish Learning Community). Following her 20 years in LA, she and her husband Jason moved to Memphis and are now happy to be Home-aha at Temple Israel.
Julee is also a certified Spiritual Counselor, having completed that training in 2023 through Beit T’Shuvah in Los Angeles. She has also provided extensive leadership to the Southern California Gator Club, earning national recognition for her contributions from the UF Alumni Association. She was a Jewish Educator at BBYO IC 2023, a faculty member for the Summer 2024 JFNA Changemakers Fellowship, and was in the first cohort of the Hadar Jewish Wisdom Fellowship. She has presented at Jewish education conferences and has been engaged as a guest educator and consultant at several synagogues across the US.
When not immersed in Jewish Education and all things UF, she was a contestant on 4 Game Shows and is a very curious foodie. Ask Julee about karaoke, pop culture, and musical theatre.
Ilana Linthicu
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Education Administrative Assistant
Ilana joined Temple Israel in the Autumn of 2023. She provides support for our Director of Education as well as all the families and faculty the Youth Learning Programs serve.
Ilana is from Mississippi and has also lived in Alabama, Maryland, and now Nebraska. She has been active in Omaha’s Jewish community and at Temple Israel since 2017. Ilana attended college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha for both her Bachelors (2019) and Masters (2023) in history where she focused on Jewish and Holocaust history. She is passionate about Jewish education and Jewish life in general. In her free time, Ilana loves to watch baseball, crochet, and read historical non-fiction.
Allyson Genereux 
Membership Engagement & Event Coordinator
Allyson Genereux joined Temple Israel in the Autumn of 2024 and has an extensive background in Event Coordinating and Management. Allyson attended Metropolitan Community College and graduated with an associate’s degree in Food and Events Management (2020) and a Certificate in Floral Design (2021). In her free time, Allyson loves talking about all things Disney, planning unforgettable vacations as a part time travel advisor, and jamming out to her favorite musician – Taylor Swift! Allyson is a loving dog sister to her parents’ three dogs: Izzie, Chloe, and Loki.
Stefanie Baguian 
Director of Communications
Stefanie Baguian joined Temple Israel in the Autumn of 2022. She has a background in Marketing and Corporate Communications. She is a proud Iowa State alumna, where she studied Marketing and International Studies. She loves to travel and experience new places, cultures, and most importantly - new foods! She's been married to her husband, Abdramane, since 2014 and they have two beautiful daughters, Adanya and Aleaja.
Misty Weidne
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Office Manager
Misty began working at Temple Israel in 2006. She previously worked for nine years as Office Manager at a meat packing plant. She grew up in Defiance, Iowa and currently lives in Minden, Iowa with her husband Bryan and two sons, Brody and Tyler. In her free time, Misty enjoys golfing, scrapbooking, and spending time with family.
Michelle She
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Accounting
Michelle was born and raised in Omaha and joined the Temple Israel staff in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant and was promoted to her Accounting position in 2023. She attended Arizona State University and previously worked as an advocate for elder care in various communities in the Omaha area. Michelle loves being a mom to her two sons and in her free time enjoys horticulture, painting, reading, hiking, the outdoors, and spending time with family.
Heather Lake 
Administrative Assistant
Heather Lake was born and raised in Kansas (Rock Chalk!) and has now lived in Omaha for over 10 years. She has 4 kids and is married to Zach. She graduated from Emporia State University to become a registered nurse. Heather’s biggest passion is for learning Spanish. She recently went to Mexico to practice her Spanish (and eat!) and will visit Spain in the winter. She also is a foodie and loves trying new and interesting restaurants.
Scott Anderson
Building Manager
Scott was born and raised here in Omaha. He attended the college of life, majoring in “jack-of-all-trades.” He’s worked in many areas and has been at Temple Israel since 2008. Scott has owned many pets including dogs, gerbils and frogs. He enjoys collecting crystals/rocks and creating art in his free time.
Chris Baskins
Facilities
Chris was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from High School in West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1988. Throughout his life, he has spent time in Omaha, NE. His dad would bring him every summer since he was three. He decided to make it his home in 1992. He enjoys listening to old-school R&B music, hip-hop, and blues. His favorite time of the year is Spring. He enjoys playing dominoes, darts, cards, and chess. And he loves being a grandfather. Previously, Chris has worked in construction, laying concrete, janitorial services, and landscaping.