Clergy & Staff
Rabbi Joshua Katzan
Senior Rabbi
Born and raised In Los Angeles, Rabbi Katzan portrays the essence of the local vibe: He is intellectually open-minded, spiritually curious, grounded, warm, and accepting of all people.
As a child, his curiosity about Eastern meditation led him to explore his Jewish spiritual roots. He moved to Israel for several years to study Judaism intensively and became a Jewish educator, teaching high school kids at Milken Community High School. Teaching, love of music, and devotion to Judaism led him to the rabbinate. He has made a career of exploring and sharing the depth and meaning of Jewish tradition and is passionate about making it relevant to people’s lives. As he puts it, the ancient wisdom of our tradition asks us the right questions, and it is an act of spirituality to explore how we respond to those questions today. His interests in psychology and music are front and center, and more than anything, he loves teaching and conversation, especially around an intimate Shabbat table.
At Mishkon, Rabbi Katzan conducts Shabbat services, leads a weekly Torah Study class in various venues, and regularly teaches on topics as diverse as meditation, spirituality, ethics, food/wine, philanthropy, and how to live more deeply. The preschool children love to sing with him, and the religious school kids light up because he makes Torah fun. He often sits on the Bet Din for conversions and welcomes converts, interfaith families, and seekers of all kinds.
He was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2003 and has served congregations in Denver, Colorado, and New York City. Rabbi Katzan is especially honored to be home and serving Mishkon Tephilo, the congregation his own great-grandparents founded.
Please feel free to reach out to Rabbi Katzan on the office phone (310) 392-3029 ext 6 or by email at rabbikatzan@mishkon.org
Rabbi Daniel R. Shevitz
Rabbi Emeritus
After 20 years of service as pulpit rabbi of Mishkon Tephilo, Rabbi Dan Shevitz has transitioned to the position of Rabbi Emeritus. He is known for many things at Mishkon – preaching, singing, playing accordion, telling stories, reading Torah, and blowing shofar – but most of all for bringing clarity and real-world application to Mitzvot and traditions.
Among his accomplishments, Rabbi Dan is the principal percussionist of the Palisades Symphony Orchestra, a trained sushi chef, a private pilot, a messader gittin (rabbi trained in arranging Jewish divorce), and a Talmud teacher at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies of the American Jewish University. Rabbi Dan lives in Venice with Humuhumunukunuku (lovingly known as Humu), his Mollucan cockatoo. He can be reached at shevitzdan@gmail.com.
Tatiana Zaidman, M.A. Ed.
Director of Early Childhood Education
Tatiana Zaidman is Mishkon’s preschool director. During her tenure, enrollment has almost doubled. She is committed to creating a supportive and engaging environment where every child can reach their full potential. With more than eight years of experience as a preschool teacher in Jewish preschools around Los Angeles, Tatiana has a deep understanding of the unique needs and values of the community she serves.
Tatiana earned her master's degree in Early Childhood Education from the American Jewish University and has since become a well-known leader in the field. In addition to her expertise in early childhood education, Tatiana is also a natural community builder. She is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where families can come together to support each other and their children. She recognizes that a strong sense of community is essential to a child's success and well-being, and she is committed to building relationships with parents and caregivers.
Tatiana's commitment to community building is reflected in her approach to school leadership. She values open communication and transparency and is always willing to listen to feedback and ideas from parents and staff. She recognizes the importance of a collaborative approach to education and is dedicated to working with families and educators to create the best possible learning experience for children. The school is also known for its diverse and inclusive community and for being a welcoming environment for all.
Tatiana has a clear and exciting vision for the future of the preschool, continuing to provide a place where children can learn and grow in a safe, nurturing, and culturally rich environment. Her innovative ideas and her ability to inspire and motivate her staff bode well for the growth of the school.
She frequently does tours and welcomes inquiries from the community. Call Tatiana at (310) 396-7733, or email her at preschool@mishkon.org.
Vivienne
Accounting Department
Vivienne is our behind-the-scenes money manager, keeping track of all the funds flowing in and out of Mishkon, helping us stay in the black at all times. She also handles payroll and taxes (even nonprofits have to deal with taxes), making sure our employees are paid regularly and correctly. When we apply for grants and Payroll Protection Plan forgivable loans, she provides all the numbers, which make us look capable and deserving. We wouldn’t even think about doing anything financial without consulting her! She can be reached Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at (310) 392-3029, ext 7, or by email at finance@mishkon.org.
Ruben Carrillo
Custodian
As our custodian, Ruben keeps the place humming. He maintains the cleanliness of the premises. He sets up tables and chairs for classrooms and events. He mops up messes. He waters the plants. He oils squeaky hinges. And he gets the trash and the recycling where they need to go. Ruben also keeps a watchful eye on the premises, promptly reporting safety hazards and other facilities issues that our executive director might not otherwise know about. Occasionally, he undertakes special maintenance and repair projects. One of Ruben’s most important jobs, however, is greeting the children outdoors when they come to preschool. They love him, and he loves them, and it’s obvious to everyone!