Clergy & Professional Staff

Rabbi Adam F. Miller                                   

Senior Rabbi

Welcome to Temple Shalom—where our members are part of One Family in relationship with one another. We cherish opportunities to connect, celebrate meaningful lifecycle moments, share in worship and learning, and strengthen the bonds that unite our Jewish community.

My rabbinate at Temple Shalom reflects a deep passion for social justice, interfaith collaboration, and a lifelong connection to Israel. I engage with our congregation across all aspects of Jewish living—leading spiritually inspiring worship services; officiating at weddings, funerals, b’nei mitzvah, and baby namings; and providing pastoral care and support. I also teach through the Florence Melton School for Adult Jewish Learning and our Jewish Spirituality Program, and guide our high school Confirmation class.

My community involvement extends from local initiatives to national leadership. In Naples, I serve on the boards of Meals of Hope, the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, and our local chapter of Jewish National Fund. Each summer, I also serve on the faculty at URJ Camp Coleman, our regional Jewish summer camp located outside Atlanta, Georgia. Nationally, I am honored to chair the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Budget & Finance Committee, serve as Vice-Chair of the Advisory Board at the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, and participate as a member of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition. Previously, I served for more than a decade on the URJ Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism.

Originally from Watertown, Wisconsin, I grew up in Detroit, Atlanta, Buffalo, and Tulsa. After earning my degree in philosophy from the University of Kansas, I was ordained in 2003 by Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. Before coming to Naples, I served as Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth El in Chappaqua, NY, and Temple Beth Am in Framingham, MA.

My wife, Jennifer Siegal-Miller, is a development professional and currently serves as Director of Development for URJ Camp Coleman following a twenty-year career in law. We are blessed with three sons—Jonah, Gabriel, and Eli—and share our home with our dog, Tucker.

Outside the synagogue, I’m an avid sports fan who enjoys golf, basketball, reading, and keeping up with my favorite shows.

I welcome the chance to connect—please feel free to call 239-455-3030 to arrange a time to meet.

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.