CLERGY
RABBI
FELIPE GOODMAN
Before joining Temple Beth Sholom in 1998, Rabbi Felipe Goodman served as assistant Rabbi in Comunidad Bet-El de Mexico in Mexico City, one of the largest conservative synagogues in Latin America. Rabbi Felipe Goodman’s charisma has made a profound impact on the Jewish community of Las Vegas. Attendance at Shabbat services has climbed from handfuls to hundreds, with eager, joyful numbers rising by the week; with out of the box programing and by creating a true sense of being a Kehila Kedoshah, vibrant Temple Beth Sholom is anything but a synagogue of once-a-year congregants. In April 2013 Rabbi Goodman was chosen by The Daily Forward as one of America's Most Inspiring Rabbis... "36 Rabbis Shaping The 21st Century!"
Keeping with his tradition of extracurricular leadership, Rabbi Goodman remains active outside the synagogue. He was handpicked to be a member of The Chancellor’s Rabbinic Advisory Committee at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America under Chancellor Arnold Eisen, one of only 13 American Rabbis so honored. When Dr. Ismar Schorsch was Chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary, He was also part of The Chancellor's Rabbinic Cabinet. Rabbi Goodman was appointed by the Rabbinical Assembly to serve in the Joint Placement Commission of the Conservative Movement and was also recently appointed by the Jewish Theological Seminary as one of its representatives on The Joint Reitrement Board of the Conservative Movement. He currently serves in The Executive Committee of The Rabbinical Assembly and he also served as President of the Board of Rabbis of Southern Nevada. Rabbi Goodman is also one of a group of 27 Conservative Rabbis in the world, certified by The Joint Beth Din of The Conservative Movements as experts in the laws and writing of "Gittin" (Jewish Writs of Divorce).
In May 2010 Rabbi Goodman was selected along with fourteen other Rabbis from all corners of our country to attend a series of meetings in The White House to discuss the dynamics and relationship between the Obama administration and The Jewish Community. In May 2013, Rabbi Goodman Returned to The White House as part of a delegation of 19 Leaders of The Conservative Movement who met with President Obama to address the issue of Israel's Security. Rabbi Goodman is also part of The AIPAC National Leadership Council. The most widely distributed Pesach Haggadah of the Conservative Movement in Latin America was co-authored by Rabbi Goodman. Rabbi Goodman is currently working on his new book: “Torah from Sin City.”
ASSISTANT RABBI
SHANEE B. MICHAELSON
Rabbi Shanee B. Michaelson is a passionate and dedicated spiritual leader. Born in Israel and raised in Los Angeles, she brings a unique blend of cultural influences and professional roles to her rabbinate. She grew up near her maternal grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, who had all recently escaped from revolutionary Tehran, Iran. After attending both Solomon Schechter and community Jewish day schools in the San Fernando Valley, she went to a non-sectarian high school and graduated from UC San Diego and the University of San Francisco School of Law. Upon earning admission to the California State Bar, Rabbi Michaelson practiced family law, where she discovered her love for preparing and guiding individuals and families through life’s challenges. While working full-time, she simultaneously pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing, which deepened her understanding of the transformative power of words, story, poetry, and prayer.
Following her work in the Washington DC area, Rabbi Michaelson embarked on a year of learning and exploration at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. There her connection to Judaism was revitalized and, though unknown to her at the time, her journey to the rabbinate had begun. Inspired by her experience in Israel, she returned to Southern California and settled in LA's vibrantly Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood. She became actively involved in teaching children both secular and religious subjects. As an educator in the Los Angeles Unified School District for eight years, she fostered a love of education and a commitment to lifelong learning in her students. Rabbi Michaelson also served as a spiritual leader and teacher at Jewish organizations such as IKAR (Los Angeles), Mishkon Tephilo (Venice, California), and Ohr Shalom Synagogue (San Diego). She was ordained a rabbi in May 2023 by the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University.
At Temple Beth Sholom, you will find Rabbi Michaelson at daily morning minyan, Shabbat, and holiday services, serving young families at the Friday Nite Kids and the Saturday Tot Shabbat experiences, teaching an Introduction to Judaism class for Jews and potential Jews, and engaging religious school and b’nai mitzvah families in Torah study and community service. Rabbi Michaelson is also rabbi-in-residence of the Sandra & Stanley Mallin Early Childhood Center and the Lovee & Bob Arum Kindergarten. Her warm and welcoming spirit, combined with her commitment to education and community-building, make her a dynamic addition to Temple Beth Sholom as both Assistant Rabbi and Director of the Judy & Ronald Mack School for Religious Studies.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
D.J. SINAI
D.J. Sinai was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and became a member of the Las Vegas Jewish Community in 1992. When Rabbi Felipe Goodman began at Temple Beth Sholom in 1998, he found a teenage musician who had a love of Jewish music and was eagerly ready to participate in Kabbalat Shabbat services. At just 16 years old, D.J. began accompanying the cantor and such began his musical journey at Temple Beth Sholom.
For nearly 25 years, D.J. has been an intricate part of the music leadership at Temple Beth Sholom, from being the accompanist and harmony voice for past cantors to filling in at Shabbat and holiday services. In 2015, D.J. took on the role of Musical Director and is now the musical leader for all religious services including Shabbat, holidays, life cycle events, and High Holy Day services. He also is working with the b'nei mitzvah students and teaching them how to lead a Saturday morning service for their big simcha, as well as teaching 7th grade and tefillah with the Judy and Ronald Mack School of Religious Studies at Temple Beth Sholom. Further, D.J.’s passion for Judaism rolls over as the Youth Director for our thriving Kadima/USY Youth Department.
D.J. has had many influences in his Jewish studies, including past cantors at Temple Beth Sholom, numerous musical and leadership programs, as well as studying at The Conservative Yeshiva at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center in Israel. He has studied piano since the age of 4 and began singing in grade school. D.J. has studied with instructors from The Cleveland Institute of Music, Nevada School of the Arts, Interlochen Arts Academy, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. At the age of just 17, D.J. played piano and sang solo in the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Through his work as the Musical Director at Temple Beth Sholom and through his professional and volunteer musical performances, D.J. has entertained and inspired thousands of people in our community.
Growing up in the Jewish community in Las Vegas has been a wonderful experience for D.J. as this is where he met his wonderful wife, Alyson, and was able to raise their son, Jacob. D.J. loves his family and roles at Temple Beth Sholom and is looking forward to celebrating many life moments with the Las Vegas Jewish Community.