Meet Our Board of Trustees
The Temple Beth El Board of Trustees is elected by Temple membership. We invite you to read the warm welcome and mission statement from our Temple President, Reina Schlager.
For inquiries, email tbeboard2020@gmail.com.
Reina Schlager, Temple President
Reina Schlager is a Certified Public Accountant, working for over 35 years with her husband, Bob, in their Tax Strategies/Wealth Management firm. Reina has served on advisory councils and Boards of many not-for-profit entities, and is currently on the Board of the SWFL Symphony, and has participated in the State CPA Elder Planning & Support Committee, and the National AICPA long-term care task force. Reina and Bob have two adult children and are new grandparents.
Carolyn Gora, Secretary
Carolyn is a true Floridian, born in St. Petersburg, Florida. Carolyn is passionate about the arts and her community, and also chairs the Public Art Committee for the City of Fort Myers, is Secretary for the Alliance for the Arts, and serves on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties. Carolyn's two daughters attended Temple Beth El's Religious School, and she has two grandchildren.
Tami Traiger, Treasurer
Tami has a B.S. in Accounting. She has worked for many years in Public and Private accounting roles, as well as serving in leadership roles on the City of Cape Coral Charter School Board, State of Florida Gifted Association, and the Lee County Medical Society Alliance. She currently works as a Gifted Resources teacher. Tami and her husband have two daughters, who both celebrated their baby namings through confirmation at Temple Beth El.
Hal Eskin,
Member at Large
Hal, a Temple member for over 36 years, began his legal career in Lee County and is still working in his own practice. Hal was honored to receive Temple Beth El's Etz Chayim award for his great service at the Temple, and looks forward to seeing the Temple continue to grow and prosper. Hal and his wife have been married for 35 years and have four children and two grandchildren.
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Member at Large
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Member at Large
Justin Schiff,
Member at Large
Justin is an executive in the senior living industry specializing in construction, project management and real estate development. Justin is interested in furthering the Temple's strategic initiatives, organizational governance, and expanding opportunities for young Jewish families. Justin and his wife Michelle have two children.
A Message from Temple President, Reina Schlager
I had a dream.
All my working life I had a dream there would come a time when I would no longer work my day and night job as a CPA/Financial Advisor (which I loved). T’kun Olam, repairing the world, is in my blood, and when I sold my practice, it was like letting loose a child in a toy store!
I became Temple Beth El’s Treasurer July 2021, and under President Hank Betchen, we began the work to refinance the Temple’s mortgage. The Board re-activated the position and appointed me the Learning Tree Liaison during those rocky COVID-19 months. We produced a balanced budget for this year, 2022. Our Rabbi’s contract is in place, and our Council of Committees created a process to coordinate the critical components of every planned event – which continues to evolve.
My position as President began January 1. All new and existing Board members met that month for a Greet Retreat” where we familiarized ourselves with Temple By-Laws and our Mission, Vision, and Values statements, and what it means to work in a Sacred Partnership culture.
There is no single person who has accomplished this. We have so many volunteers throughout our committees’ structure, our Board members, Rabbi, and all our employees, our children, our parents, and our Pre-school. We may sometimes have completely different opinions and suggestions, but I have seen Sacred Partnership working with respect and personal consideration given to all. We are in a good financial position. We have a strong Operational Structure. We have a VISION and a MISSION, and we have great people working very hard.
Have an idea? Have a suggestion? Have a criticism? There is no inner circle at this Temple. Contact any of us on the Board, on a Committee, the Rabbi, and if you are not sure who to contact, EVERYONE KNOWS Karen in the office, and she will get you connected.
I humbly act as your President and will work to affirm your confidence in me and our ongoing Board, Council of Committees, and Temple Beth El staff. I invite any member who is not on a committee to get involved. For each member who is volunteering and/or donating your money and/or your time… A HUGE THANK YOU! We cannot succeed without you!
B’shalom, Reina Schlager
Sat, September 30 2023 15 Tishrei 5784
