Religious School Staff
Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin
Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin is the Congregational Educator and Religious School Director at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. She was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May, 2010, after receiving both a Masters Degree in Hebrew Letters in 2007, and her Masters Degree in Jewish Education in 2008. Prior to her studies at the Hebrew Union College, Sara earned her Bachelors Degree from Brandeis University in Sociology and Judaic Studies.
Rabbi Sara as also been a participant in the prestigious DeLeT (Day school Leadership through Teaching) program. Teaching second grade at a Jewish Day School in Boston was what led her to the rabbinate. While teaching, Sara discovered a passion for educating others about Jewish living, and a commitment to engaging in further Jewish learning. This dedication to pursuing further work in the field of Jewish education led her to Jerusalem, where she began her rabbinical studies.
While living in Los Angeles, Rabbi Sara has served as a 6th teacher at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles, an Interim Rabbi at Beth Knesset BaMidbar in Lancaster, worked with student representatives of the Reform movement at UCLA Hillel, been the Education Director at URJ Camp Newman, and worked as both a rabbinic presence and as an educator at Congregation Or Ami, in Calabasas.
Rabbi Sara is thrilled to be the Congregational Educator and Director of the Religious School at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, and looks forward to building relationships and creating Jewish leaders among students and families at Temple Emanuel.
Sara is originally from Buffalo, New York though she has spent significant time in both Chicago and Boston. When Sara is not teaching, studying, or enjoying the LA sun, she loves to spend time playing Jewish music on her guitar, baking, and relaxing with her husband, Josh.
Kelley Courtney – Religious School Office Manager
Kelley Courtney has been a staff member here at Temple Emanuel since October 2004. As Religious School Office Manager, she gets to interact with children and families which is her true passion. In addition to working in the Religious School, she also is the Adult Education Coordinator and assists in many departments.
Kelley received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing & Advertising from Columbia College Chicago. She also holds a minor in Education. While attending school, she worked as the administrative assistant for a precision machine shop where she honed her computer and human resource skills. In 2003, Kelley and her family moved to LA. With her background in education and love for children, Temple Emanuel seemed to be the perfect fit!
When Kelley isn’t busy with her work, she spends time with her daughter, Samantha, who is in middle school at Horace Mann. She is an active PTA and Girl Scout mom, who enjoys roller skating, baking, photography and good friends!
Religious School Staff
We are blessed at the Temple Emanuel Religious School to be joined in our educational pursuit by many experienced Religious School teachers. Each of the teachers in our school is a dugma ishit, a role model of Jewish living and learning. Our teachers bring a wealth of experiences to our students and to our school, bringing Judaism to life in the classroom through projects, discussions, activities, games, literature, music, and art. Teachers in the Temple Emanuel Religious School understand the importance of relevant Jewish experiences, allowing students the space to make connections between their modern lives, and Jewish tradition. Whether the topic is Israel, rituals, holidays, values, blessing, ethical dilemmas, Torah, Jewish heroes, history, or Hebrew, our staff community, is committed to sharing their passion for Jewish life with you and your family.