Our Clergy
Rabbi Alex Kress
Rabbi Alex Kress (he/his) began serving Beth Shir Shalom in 2021. His vision for Jewish community centers on the pursuit of justice, inclusion, and good synagogue coffee. He works to incorporate avant-garde ideas that revitalize spirituality and community. With projects like Hip Hop High Holidays & Rav’s Turntables, he attempts to bridge ancient wisdom with contemporary culture to make our tradition relevant and accessible.
Rabbi Alex grew up in an interfaith family in Philadelphia, a product of URJ Camp Harlam and NFTY PAR. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Jewish Studies, was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, and received his Masters in Business Administration from American Jewish University. He was a Charles Bronfman Convener with the Israel Policy Forum, a NewGround Change-Maker Fellow, and a Resetting the Table Convener. He was honored to be a contributor to the URJ’s Ten Minutes of Torah.
He loves good coffee, shabbos ball, and reading an actual, physical newspaper. On his way to Beth Shir Shalom, Rabbi Alex served Temple Sinai of Roslyn and Hillel at UCLA.
Rabbi Emeritus Neil Comess-Daniels
Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels brings his passionate expression of Judaism and his strong sense of social justice to the pulpit. He helps us create our Jewish community, facilitates our discovery of our spiritual selves and works with us towards Tikkun Olam – healing the world.
Rabbi Neil’s accessibility makes him responsive to our congregants. He uses his singing and musical talents to communicate the riches of our Jewish tradition. Through his contemporary interpretation of ancient and modern texts he enables us to personalize and apply them to our daily lives.Beth Shir Shalom supports the Rabbi’s personal commitment to organizations that deal with interracial and interfaith relations and homelessness issues. He has chaired the Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition and the Interfaith Holocaust Service and also serves on the boards of the Western Region of the Jewish Federation Council and the Westside Interfaith Council.A graduate of UCLA, Rabbi Comess-Daniels was ordained in 1979 at the Hebrew Union College and is often asked to mentor young rabbinic students. He was the founding rabbi of Temple Shir Shalom, one of the two temples that have come together to become Beth Shir Shalom. He is married and has two children.
Eitan Strauss-Cohn
With over 14 years of experience in the field of Jewish musical leadership, Eitan Strauss-Cohn is proud to be the Jewish Life and Music Director of Beth Shir Shalom, delighting in song with all from our youngest community members to those who have called BSS home for many years. He shapes services with music and storytelling, and has crafted our Kabbalat Shabbat prayerbook and Tisch songbook. As an educator, he guides Bmitzvah students and teaches classes like Judaism 101 to adults.
Eitan is a lover of Jewish summer camps, where he cut his teeth songleading, and met his wife Robin. He has studied at various Jewish musical leadership conferences, including the Hadar Rising Song Institute, Hava Nashira, and Songleader Boot Camp. He is also an avid drinker of tea, so be sure to say hi and have a cup!
Jewish Life and Music Director
Our Staff
Cynthia Barzilai
An honored veteran on Beth Shir Shalom's staff, Cynthia has directed her empathy, energy and many talents into a multitude of roles. She’s worn many hats, from congregant and volunteer, to VP of Education on our Board of Trustees, ECC Assistant Director, Religious School Administrator, and now, Executive Director. In every role, Cynthia has been at the heart of what makes our temple run. A member of NATA (National Association for Temple Administration) and President of PATA (Professional Association of Temple Administrators), Cynthia continues to expand her skills, knowledge and accomplishments. Her typical day is a dance of big visions and minute details, and we're very lucky that she dances here.
Executive Director
Helena Simon
Director of the Early Childhood Center
Entering her 10th year at Beth Shir Shalom, Helena brings more than a decade of dedication, growth, and heart to her role as Early Childhood Director. With a degree in Early Childhood Education and deep roots in the classroom, Helena’s journey began with the school’s youngest learners at 18 months old. Over the years, she has had the privilege of teaching across every age group, from toddlers through Pre-K, gaining a profound understanding of child development and the unique rhythms of each stage.
As Director, Helena infuses both her classroom experience and her vision for early childhood education into her leadership, supporting teachers, partnering with families, and cultivating a school culture rooted in warmth, community, and intentional practice.
Lori Daitch
Director of Education
A native of Los Angeles, Lori Daitch has been deeply involved in the local Jewish community for more than two decades. Lori’s passion for Judaism began early, shaped by her experiences as a religious school student, camper, summer-in-Israel participant, and active youth group member. It was clear from a young age that her love of Jewish life would guide her professional path.
Lori began her career as an NFTY youth advisor before transitioning into teaching. She eventually rose through the ranks to become Director of Education at The Santa Monica Synagogue, where she served for over 25 years. In this role, she built lasting relationships with students and families, guiding learners from kindergarten through college. She also led educational trips across the United States, as well as to Israel and Europe, fostering a deep sense of Jewish identity, discovery, and peoplehood.
Lori joined Beth Shir Shalom in July 2021 as Director of Engagement and is passionate about engaging congregants of all ages in meaningful Jewish learning, as well as creating vibrant opportunities for social connection and community building.
Erika is a seasoned child development specialist with over a decade of leadership experience in youth programming. She holds a degree in Child Development from West Los Angeles College and previously served as the Youth Development Director at the Santa Monica Family YMCA for 11 years. Currently, Erika oversees the AfterShul program, where she applies her deep expertise to create camp style learning environments that foster community and leadership.
Outside of her professional life, she is a dedicated sports mom who can usually be found cheering on her two children at their games. A true Los Angeles local, she enjoys attending Dodger games, going to concerts, and exploring the outdoors on camping trips.
Director of AfterShul
Erika Altshule
Olivia Bernheimer
Director of Membership and Development
Olivia holds Master’s degrees in Public Administration (University of Southern California) and Jewish Nonprofit Management (Hebrew Union College). She is passionate about cultivating meaningful relationships, strengthening fundraising efforts, and supporting the growth of Jewish life. An active member of Program & Engagement Professionals of Reform Judaism (PEP-RJ) and Advancing Temple Institutional Development (ATID), she enjoys connecting with others who share a passion for service and community-building and is inspired every day by the people around her. Outside work, Olivia likes traveling, reading, and spending time with her cat, Cleopatra.