Meet Our Service Leaders
Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman has been Shaarei Shamayim's rabbi for twenty years. In 2003 she was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and became the congregation’s second rabbi. She will lead all of the congregation’s High Holiday services and stop into the children’s services to tell stories. She is also the director of Gesher, the congregation's children's education program. Throughout the year she leads services and life cycle events, provides pastoral care, and oversees the bnei mitzvah program, adult education courses, and social justice work. If you’re new, feel free to her full bio and High Holiday sermons from previous years.
Julia Banchik is returning this year as our cantorial soloist for High Holiday services. Julia has been a member of Shaarei Shamayim since she was five years old. She has been leading our Shabbat morning and evening services the past four years along with a series of singing workshops. Julia is a skilled Torah and Haftarah reader and has been a Hebrew school teacher and tutor for several years in our Gesher program. She became involved in musical theater at a young age, worked in a 4K classroom at Head Start for many years, and completed her psychology degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison a year ago. She currently works as an Educational & Behavioral Consultant at Imagine a Child's Capacity.
Aviv Kammay has been our community song leader for 14 years. He plays guitar at children’s services and Shabbat and holiday celebrations. This year he will lead Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur children’s services. Born in Tel Aviv, he is a music educator, Beatles scholar, and composer. He has a Master’s of Music Education from Northwestern University and currently works as a music teacher at Wingra School. He was the music director at Olin Sang Ruby Jewish summer camp for many years and founded Madison Mystery Tour, Madison’s Beatles cover band.
Enid Williams is our High Holiday Music Coordinator. She works closely with Rabbi Laurie and Julia in organizing these services. She organizes High Holiday Song and leads their rehearsals. She is also the liaison to our individual soloists, Coordinating Committee, and High Holiday planning team. Enid has been a member of Shaarei Shamayim and High Holiday Song for many years. She loves to sing, play clarinet, and garden. Enid also spins wool into yarn, and works doing clothing alteration.