Clergy
Rabbi Sara Metz
Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Metz became the spiritual leader of Congregation Anshei Israel in July 2020. She was ordained by the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, where she also received master’s degrees in Jewish Education and Rabbinic Studies.
Rabbi Metz holds bachelor’s degrees in American Studies as well as Near East and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. She loves baking challah, trying new recipes, crocheting, biking and hiking with her family. Rabbi Metz is committed to growing and strengthening our community by fostering meaningful relationships and relevant experiences inside and outside of the synagogue building.
Nichole Chorny
Cantorial Soloist & Education Director
Nichole Chorny became Anshei Israel's Cantorial Soloist in May 2014 and began serving as Education & Youth Director in July 2020. She is currently completing a Cantorial Internship of the Cantor’s Assembly and holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Arizona.
Her work at CAI began in 2006 in the Religious School and B'nai Mitzvah programs. Nichole encourages life-long Jewish learning by growing lay-leadership, post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah service leaders, and Torah/Haftarah readers. She works closely with Rabbi Metz in coordinating congregational services and officiating life-cycle events. Nichole coordinates the B'nai Mitzvah program, B'Yahad Religious School, and USY; teaches music in the preschool; and directs CAI's youth choir.
Rabbi Robert Eisen
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Emeritus Robert Eisen served as Congregation Anshei Israel’s spiritual leader from 1999 through June 2020.
An enthusiastic participant in all synagogue programs, Rabbi Eisen was especially gifted at interacting with children. A scholar able to teach ages 2 to 102, Rabbi Eisen was involved in the learning process of our children in preschool, kindergarten, B'nai Mitzvah, religious school, Hebrew high school and confirmation. Under his leadership and contributions, adult education programs, including scholars-in-residence, drew enthusiastic participation.
Rabbi Arthur Oleisky z"l
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Emeritus Arthur Oleisky z"l served as Congregation Anshei Israel’s spiritual leader from 1970-1999.
His passions included our youth programs, Camp Ramah, adult education, and Israel. Rabbi Oleisky was involved in the Masorti/Conservative Movement in Israel, led fundraising among rabbis. He served on the Council of Trustees of the Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel and the Board of MERCAZ USA.