Professional Team

Jann Blitz

Rabbi Grafman Endowment Fund Executive Director

Jann Blitz

Jann Blitz, Rabbi Grafman Endowment Fund Executive Director

Jann Blitz has been serving Temple Emanu-El as Executive Director of its Endowment Fund since 1996. In this capacity, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Endowment Fund and manages its 25-member Board of Directors.

Jann is actively involved with each committee in providing organization, research, and administrative guidance. She also works closely with the Temple senior staff, particularly identifying special programs or needs that are over and above the ordinary operations of the Temple. Additionally, she was actively involved in the Campaign Emanu-El (2000), Shofar Initiative (2007) strategic planning and fundraising efforts, as well as creating/building the new Rabbi Jonathan Miller Enduring Legacy Fund (2017) — all of which have greatly contributed to our Endowment’s success. Also during her tenure, she has created a culture of communicating regularly with our membership about the Fund’s mission to provide for our Temple’s future, and about the numerous ways an individual or family can contribute.

Under her administration, the Grafman Endowment Fund has grown from $1 million to over $16 million in assets, with another $4.7 million in known expectancies. An active member of our congregation, Jann is the mother of two daughters, Callie and Rebecca, and is married to Russ Blitz.

Contact Jann at (205) 397-0814, or jblitz@ourtemple.org.

Lynda Gutcheon

Lynda Gutcheon began the Jewish Education Interim program 5 years ago. She has worked in Connecticut, Chicago, and New Jersey, after having served The Temple in Nashville, TN, as their Director of Education for 30 years. She now joins Temple Emanu-El as our Interim Director of Education. She received her education at California State University, USC, The University of Maryland and The University of Judaism. She began her educational journey in special education and became interested in Jewish education through teaching Hebrew to special needs students. Lynda’s strength in organizational skills, curriculum development and creating relationships with staff and students makes her the perfect choice to be our Interim Education Director. We are excited she is part of our team and look forward to a great year of learning and growing under her direction. Lynda’s husband Bernie is a retired Cantor and they have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Contact Lynda at (205) 933-8037, ext 232, or lynda@ourtemple.org

Lynda Gutcheon

Interim Education Director

Monika Singletary

Director of Congregational Engagement & Membership

Monika Singletary

Monika Flurer Singletary is excited to join Temple Emanu-El as Director of Engagement. She comes to Temple Emanu-El having worked in this field at the JCC in New Orleans. Having been part of the Jewish Experiential Leadership Institute(JELI) Fellowship of Emerging JCC Leaders she was immersed in Jewish learning, leadership, and fellowship with nineteen of her JCC peers from around North America. This program also introduced her to the Birmingham Jewish community, where she eventually accepted a position at the Levite Jewish Community Center as their Director of Membership, Outreach, Retention, and Engagement. Monika earned her BS in Business Management from Troy University and her MA in Jewish Educational Leadership through the William Davidson School at the Jewish Theological Seminary. In addition to her work at Temple Emanu-El and the larger Jewish community, Monika enjoys reading, singing, and being outside. She lives with her loving husband, Ben, her sweet son, Archer, her cats, Sababa and Merlin, and her dog, Arabella.

Contact Monika at (205) 933-8037, ext 213 or monika@ourtemple.org

Dr. Paul Mosteller

Paul Mosteller was appointed Organist of Temple Emanu-El in August 1993. From 1989 to 1993, he sang in the synagogue’s professional choir under the direction of Dr. Lester Seigel. For nearly forty years, Dr. Mosteller enjoyed an academic career as a voice professor, having taught at Truman State University (MO), the University of Iowa, and UAB. He is also the organist of Mountain Brook Baptist Church, former organist and choirmaster of St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Birmingham), and served as interim organist at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Canterbury United Methodist Church. He has been organist for performances with the UAB Concert Choir (including their 2014 European concert tour), the Birmingham Boys Choir, Opera Birmingham, and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Mosteller earned the Associate Certificate (AAGO) from the American Guild of Organists in 2005 and holds degrees from West Chester University, The Juilliard School, and the University of Iowa.

Contact Paul at (205) 337-6293, or pwmostel@gmail.com

Dr. Paul Mosteller

Music Director

Danielle Barnett, Accounting and Finance Director

Contact Danielle at (205) 933-8037, ext 244 or danielle@ourtemple.org