 Adam F. Miller
Rabbi
It is a pleasure to introduce myself to you with this letter. My name is Rabbi Adam Miller, and I am thrilled to be the next rabbi of Temple Shalom. Allow me to share some of my story with you.
Since July 2007, I have served Temple Beth Am of Framingham, Massachusetts. In this capacity I engage with members of the congregation in all aspects of Jewish living including: leading worship services; officiating at weddings, funerals, b'nai mitzvah ceremonies and baby namings; meeting the pastoral care needs of the congregation; and teaching in the Religious School and Adult Lifelong Learning program. My work reflects my passion for social justice, and a strong connection to Israel.
My recent activities in the broader Jewish and secular community have included membership in the local clergy association, the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis, the Central Conference of American Rabbi’s Committee on Justice, Peace, and Religious Liberties, and the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. I have significant experience in the area of interfaith relations, having participated in programs that foster Jewish -Christian relations, as well as Jewish-Muslim dialogue. During the summers I have served as faculty at the URJ Northeast Camps, Eisner and Crane Lake.
Born in Watertown, Wisconsin, I spent my youth living in Detroit, Atlanta, Buffalo, and Tulsa. Following my graduation from the University of Kansas with a degree in philosophy, I entered Hebrew Union College -Jewish Institute of Religion. In preparation for the rabbinate, I served a yearlong rabbinic internship with Rabbi Raymond Zwerin at Temple Sinai of Denver, spent three years as rabbinic intern at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City, and completed one summer of chaplaincy work at NYU Medical Center. Ordained by Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2003, I worked for four years as the Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth El in Chappaqua, New York.
My family is excited for this next chapter in our lives. My wife, Jennifer Siegal -Miller, is an attorney who specializes in child advocacy law. We have been blessed with our twin sons, Jonah and Gabriel, and also share our home with our dog, Jackson. In addition to spending time with my family, I am an avid sports fan who enjoys playing golf, tennis and basketball, as well as reading and keeping current on my favorite television shows.
I am looking forward to a bright and exciting future at Temple Shalom and to meeting the members of this wonderful congregation.
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 Donna Mashadi Azu
Cantor
Hello Temple Shalom, my name is Cantor Donna Azu. On May 2nd, I became invested as a Cantor from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, and I am delighted to join the congregation as your new Cantor!
I am originally from Southern California where I received a Bachelors of Music degree in Opera Performance and Music Education from California State University of Long Beach. Prior to attending the School of Sacred Music at HUC-JIR, I earned a California teaching credential in K-12 music and taught both elementary and middle school music and theater. In addition, I sang professionally throughout the Southern California area with Opera Pacific, Long Beach Opera and the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony.
Although I had been active in the Jewish community, it wasn’t until I participated in a Pre-Cantorial program on the HUC-JIR Los Angeles campus that I knew that the Cantorate was the right path for me. I am extremely passionate about enhancing Jewish life through music. For me, the Cantorate encompasses so much of what I love; music, education, community, and tradition.
While studying in New York, I had the opportunity to be the Cantorial Intern at Temple Shaaray Tefila in NYC from 2006-2008. Most recently from 2008-2010, I have served as the student Cantor at Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor, Long Island. During my time there, I oversaw the Bnai Mitzvah program, led worship services, and taught various music and adult education programs.
I come to Naples with my husband Zadok Azu whom I married in August. Zadok is originally from Israel and has been living and working in New York for the past 17 years as a Real Estate Broker. In addition to spending time with my husband, I enjoy playing tennis, biking, listening to live music, watching musicals and catching up on some of my favorite movies and television shows.
I eagerly look forward to meeting you and becoming a part of the Temple Shalom family!
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 Susan Shechter Daugherty
Executive Director
Susan joined the Temple Staff as a teacher in the Religious School in 2004 and has been the Administrator since January of 2008. She moved to Naples from Sunrise, Florida, and before that she lived in San Diego, California for 15 years.
Besides her Bachelor of Arts in Literature from American University, Susan has a Master of Arts in Education from San Diego State University and Post-Grad Studies in Education from Florida Atlantic University. Her professional experience includes being the Director of Education for a group of private schools in Sunrise, Florida; an adjunct faculty position at Florida Atlantic University teaching regular education teachers how to work with children with special needs and supervising student teachers; and Interim Religious School Director at Temple Shalom in 2007.
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 Caren Plotkin
Religious School Director
Born and raised in New Orleans, LA, Caren moved to Naples after living in Palm Harbor, FL for over ten years. She attended Louisiana State University and received a degree in Education, with a double major in Exceptional Personalities and certification in Grades K-12. While she lived in Palm Harbor, she worked as a teacher and Director of the Kent Jewish Community Center Preschool and as teacher and Principal of Ahavat Shalom Religious School. She joined the staff of Temple Shalom in 1998.
Caren has been involved in Jewish education for over 36 years. Her professional experience includes Curriculum Development, President of the Tampa Bay Jewish Educators Committee, and presenter at local CAJE and URJ conferences. Caren is a member of the National Association of Temple Educators and the Coalition of Advancement of Jewish Education.
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 Seyla Cohen
Preschool Director
Born in Izmir, Turkey, Seyla came to the US in 1985, making stops in Tampa and Miami before moving to Naples in 1987. She began working as a teacher in the Temple Shalom Preschool seventeen years ago, when her son was in the 2-year-old program, and became the Preschool Director in 2007.
Seyla has a degree in Business Administration from Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She also has taken numerous courses in Early Childhood Education, and credential credits for FCCPC Birth-to-5-year-olds.
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 Peter Lewis
Music Director
Peter joined the Temple Shalom staff in 2002. Before that he lived in Rochester, NY, where he worked in Public Relations for the Eastman School of Music. He has a Bachelor of Music degree in Applied Organ Performance from the Eastman School of Music.
Peter has worked in music education, church and synagogue music for over 20 years. He has performed throughout New York state, including New York City, and up and down the East Coast.
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