Rabbi Adam F. Miller
Senior Rabbi
Welcome to Temple Shalom, where our members are part of One Family in relationship with one another. We all value the opportunity to connect with our members, developing relationships through sharing meaningful lifecycle and worship moments, exploring Jewish sources together, and spending time with one another.
My work at Temple Shalom reflects my passion for social justice, experience in interfaith relations, and a strong connection to Israel. I engage with members of the congregation in all aspects of Jewish living including: leading spiritually engaging worship services, officiating at weddings, funerals, b'nei mitzvah services and baby naming ceremonies; meeting the pastoral care needs of the congregation; teaching courses through Melton School for Adult Jewish Learning and our Jewish Spirituality Program; working with the high school Confirmation class; as well as interacting with our Temple Shalom Preschool parents and students. In the summer I serve on the faculty at URJ Camp Coleman, where I am the chair of the Faculty Advisory Board.
Locally I am involved with the boards at Meals of Hope, the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, an interfaith clergy alliance, and our local chapter of Jewish National Fund. Nationally, I am the Chair of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Budget & Finance Committee, an advisory board member of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, a member of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition, and I served for more than ten years on the URJ Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism.
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. 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, and for three years at Temple Beth Am of Framingham, Massachusetts.
My wife, Jennifer Siegal-Miller, is a development professional who currently serves as the Director of Development for URJ Camp Coleman after spending 20 years practicing law. We are blessed with three sons, Jonah, Gabriel and Eli, and also share our home with our dog, Tucker. In addition to spending time with my family, I am an avid sports fan who enjoys playing golf and basketball, as well as reading and keeping current on my favorite television shows.
I welcome the chance to meet with you in person. Please do not hesitate to call 239-455-3030 to make an appointment.
Cantor Donna Azu
Ordained Cantor
Hello, my name is Cantor Donna Azu. On May 2, 2010, I became invested as a Cantor from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City, and I was delighted to join the Temple Shalom congregation as their new Cantor in July of the same year!
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. From 2008-2010, I served as the student Cantor at Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor, Long Island. During my time there, I oversaw the B'nai Mitzvah program, led worship services, and taught various music and adult education programs.
I came to Naples with my husband Zadok Azu whom I married in August, 2009. Zadok is originally from Israel and had 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. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 239-455-3030.
Rabbi Ariel Boxman
Director of Lifelong Learning
I joined the Temple Shalom community, along with my husband Asher and two young boys, Jacob and Matan, from Dallas, Texas where I served as a rabbi educator for 6 years. During this time, I directed the Lifelong Learning Department, managed the pre-k to 12th grade educational programs, taught adult education classes and had various clergy responsibilities. I have a great passion for Jewish education and I am thrilled to be continuing my work at Temple Shalom.
Prior to my work in Dallas, I served various student pulpits, worked as a Hillel rabbi, and spent many summers on faculty at URJ Camps. I love working with children and adults and guiding them along their individual Jewish journeys. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a child discover a passion for Judaism and a sense of pride in their faith. It is an honor to join you and your loved ones along these journeys.
My own journey began when I was born during my father’s last year of rabbinical school. While his influence on my Jewish identity was great, it wasn’t until I spent a semester of high school studying in Israel that I developed a true passion for Judaism and Jewish peoplehood. Being in Israel and having the opportunity to be so intimate with Jewish history and culture opened up a whole new world to me. It was after this semester of high school that I decided that I wanted to be a rabbi educator. I wanted to be able to pass along the gift of passion and education that I was given and so value.
I hope to bring new insight and innovation to your community and serve your congregation to the best of my ability.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at 239-455-3030.
Deborah Fidel
Executive Director
To reach Deborah Fidel, please contact the Temple Shalom office at 239-455-3030
Rabbi James Perman
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Perman came to Temple Shalom in 1993. He first retired in 2006. Called back in 2008, he "re-retired" in 2010. After 43 years as a congregational rabbi here in Naples and before that, in Mount Vernon, NY, Rabbi Perman took up college teaching in 2011 at Florida Gulf Coast University where he teaches Jewish Studies in the department of Philosophy and Communications. At Temple, he teaches the Sunday School for Adults and helps out as needed.
Rabbi Perman served as President of the Greater Naples Ministerial Association, and a trustee of NCH Healthcare, Inc. His wife, Jane, co-ordinates our annual Blood Drives and teaches Adult Hebrew.
To reach Rabbi Perman, please contact the Temple Shalom office at 239-455-3030.
