Rabbi Molly Weisel

Associate Rabbi & Director of Education at Temple B’nai Torah

On July 1, 2020 Rabbi Molly Weisel returned to TBT, the temple in which she grew up—but this time as the associate rabbi. She is joined by her husband, Noah, and their young children, Alice and Milo.

Rabbi Molly attended rabbinical school at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. While there, she pursued her interest in the intersection of Judaism and the environment, writing her rabbinic thesis on the topic of "Implementing Green Theology in Reform Synagogues." Rabbi Molly spent her summers working for URJ Camp Kalsman, Adamah Adventures, a Jewish outdoor adventure camp, and interning as a hospice chaplain.

During rabbinical school, Rabbi Molly took an extra year to earn her Masters in Jewish Education. During that year she wrote a curriculum guide for adult learning on the topic of "Intentional Living: Refining Your Beliefs and Realigning Your Actions" as well as co-creating a philanthropy curriculum guide for teens.

In her most recent role as Director of Education at Peninsula Temple Sholom in Burlingame, California, Rabbi Molly was a creative educator and capable administrator who led their school of 250 students through a time of transition and transformation. She also ran the B’nai Mitzvah program and loves to chant Torah and lead text study.

Email Rabbi Molly at rabbimolly@templebnaitorah.org

Rabbi James L. (Jim) Mirel

Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Emeritus James L. Mirel was elected rabbi by our congregation in 1985 and served as our spiritual leader until his retirement in 2014. During his tenure he officiated at  thousands of Temple B'nai Torah's weddings, funerals, b’nai mitzvah and baby namings. 

Rabbi Mirel continues to teach and be available to us for special occasions.

Currently he serves as Rabbi of Bet Chaverim in south King County and on several boards including The Jewish Federation and Kline Galland. Rabbi Mirel is blessed to have his children and grandchildren living close by and continues to be a part of our congregation. With the help of God, he looks forward to serving Temple B’nai Torah for many years to come.

Email Rabbi James at rabbimirel@templebnaitorah.org

Cantor David Serkin-Poole

Cantor Emeritus

After our founding rabbi died in 1982, Cantor David Serkin-Poole, a congregant, became the temple's cantor and interim spiritual leader. He served the community for 38 years until his retirement in 2019. In addition to his role as the musical heart of the congregation, he trained thousands of children to become b'nai mitzvah.

He made sure children of all abilities could participate in Jewish education at our temple and in the community. And Cantor David and his husband Michael Serkin-Poole became the faces of the movement to legalize gay marriage in Washington state.

You can still email him at Cantor@TempleBnaiTorah.org