Our Clergy & Staff

Executive Director

Sonya Rapport

Sonya Rapport started her journey in the Beth Jacob community as the Director of Congregational Engagement in September of 2022. Her mission is to help support the Jewish community and to ensure that the Jewish community in the diaspora will be thriving for many generations to come. She is specifically happy to be a part of the Beth Jacob community and to make her impact here.

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Director of Congregational Programming

Frances Fischer

Frances has worked at Beth Jacob on and off over the past 25 years, and is pleased to return as the Director of Congregational Programming. Her background includes Masters Degrees in Jewish Nonprofit Management and Social Work, and agency management experience at the Los Angeles Jewish Federation and the Hillels at both Duke University and the University of Minnesota. She has also been an educator and, and has volunteered for youth, health, and community organizations. Frances brings enthusiasm to our shul, and is eager to hear your questions and ideas about  Beth Jacob.

Interim Limudim Coordinator and Rabbinic Intern

Rimon Reches

Rimon Reches is a current rabbinical student at the pluralistic Academy for Jewish Religion. Originally from Norman, OK, Rimon is thrilled to be a Twin Cities transplant and bring their love of Jewish communal living, ritual, and Torah to Beth Jacob. Rimon has run community education initiatives, taught in a synagogue religious school, and has a passion for social justice. A proud Jew and member of the LGBTQ+ community, Rimon is passionate about bringing Torah to the margins and making oursacred traditions and inherited way of life accessible and meaningful to all. Rimon comes to the Twin Cities with their husband, Yonathan, their daughter, and their lovable hound dog, Kugel.

Youth and Education Coordinator

Marisa Goffman

Marisa, a Twin Cities native, is delighted to return home after spending 4 years at Grinnell College with a degree in Communication. Marisa is an alumna of BJUSY and is especially interested in advising and mentoring the current members to ensure BJUSY remains a welcoming and fun space for youth. In her free time, Marisa enjoys training in Taekwondo as a 4th degree black belt and playing the marimba in percussion ensembles around the nation. She is an avid reader and writer and is ready to apply her skills to help Beth Jacob continue its growth.

Finance Manager

Elaine Samuelson

Elaine is from St. Paul, and has worked at Beth Jacob for 6 years.  She is delighted  to share photos of her grandson Hugo with anyone who asks. A vegetarian, she is a skilled knitter, and enjoys walking Ginger and  reading science fiction and graphic novels.

Interim Administrative Assistant

Laurie Goldsmith

Laurie grew up in NJ and appreciates the more laid back atmosphere and greenery of the midwest. She lived in St. Louis, MO for 10 years before moving to the Twin Cities in 2002 for graduate school in Plant Biology at the U. From the first time she came to Beth Jacob she felt welcomed, and she strives to make sure everyone else feels comfortable and at home here as well. She is excited to transition from volunteer to employee and support this amazing community.