Our Clergy, Staff and Lay Leaders

Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt, ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary, is celebrated by the Forward as one of the 32 most inspiring rabbis in the country. Recently, she was named one of Jewish Women’s International’s (JWI) “Women to Watch,” and is a proud senior fellow of the coveted Schusterman Fellowship, a leadership development program for individuals who are committed to growing their leadership in the Jewish community (an honor rarely bestowed on rabbis). Rabbi Holtzblatt also gratefully serves on the national board of Avodah and on the joint steering committee of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). Among Rabbi Holtzblatt’s many achievements here at Adas, she has completely revitalized our caretaking (Hesed) and bereavement efforts, co-created the acclaimed MakomDC adult learning curriculum, launched and leads our wildly successful “Return Again” worship services, and directs the Jewish Mindfulness Center of Washington, which has twice been recognized as one of America's top innovative Jewish projects by the annual Slingshot Guide for Jewish Innovation. Previously, Rabbi Holtzblatt served as the Hillel Foundation Director of Campus Initiatives and as Associate Rabbi at the Yale University Hillel. Rabbi Holtzblatt was also a rabbinic fellow at B’nai Jeshurun in New York. She is married to Ari Holtzblatt, and their two children, Noa and Elijah, attend the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital. Rabbi.Holtzblatt@adasisrael.org

Rabbi Aaron Alexander served for ten years as Associate Dean and Lecturer in Rabbinic and Jewish Law at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where he also received his ordination. He has long sat on the prestigious Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) for the Conservative movement, the governing body determining Jewish law and practice for our entire movement. He is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading authorities on Halacha (Jewish law), also certified as a mashgiach (kosher supervisor) by the Conservative movement's Rav Hamachshir program. Rabbi Alexander was appointed as a Rabbi Samuel T. Lachs Fellow of LEAP, a joint program of the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and Clal-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership. Rabbi Alexander serves on the Board of Jews United for Justice, the Leadership Circle of One America, the D.C. Attorney General’s Faith-Based Advisory Committee, and the City Council’s Interfaith Working Group. Among his achievements here at Adas, Rabbi Alexander has elevated our Social Action work to a high level of recognition throughout the Washington, DC community, and has reinvigorated our adult learning, bringing it to a level and quality that now serves as a model for synagogues across the country. Rabbi Alexander and his wife, Rabbi Penina Alexander, have three young sons, Ariel, Eliav and Amos. Rabbi.Alexander@adasisrael.org

Rabbi Sarah Krinsky received her ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in the spring of 2018, and holds a BA from Yale University. Most recently, she served as the Rabbinic Fellow at B’nai Jeshurun in New York City, where she co-led a wide variety of musical prayer services throughout the year for adults, families, children, and teens. She also managed the synagogue’s conversion process, and was involved in teaching, counseling, and mentoring Jews by choice. Her work with teens and young adults included teaching and curriculum development for religious schools, B’nai Mitzvah preparation, and summer camp. Rabbi Krinsky has served as a member of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Social Justice and Public Policy Staff, and a Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. She has developed social justice programming, including community engagement opportunities, for all age groups. She is the recipient of several awards from UJA and JTS. Rabbi Krinsky is thrilled to be part of the Adas Israel community along with her husband, Rabbi Daniel Novick. Rabbi.Krinsky@adasisrael.org

David Polonsky, Executive Director. David was appointed Executive Director in 2014, after 18 months serving on our senior team as Director of Marketing & Communications. Prior to this, David built and led new, robust marketing divisions for both the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in Washington, DC. In these positions, David supported the overhaul of institutional/artistic brands and strategically positioned both organizations for rapid growth and modernization, setting all-time sales and audience development records and reversing decades of revenue decline. David has also served as an Adjunct Professor of data-driven marketing strategies at American University, and is a regular consultant and field lecturer in finance and investment planning, brand marketing, institutional fundraising and executive leadership. David also brings extensive experience as a brand agency and strategy consultant, leading and advising on several national branding initiatives in the entertainment, mission-based, and consumer space. David happily serves as an Officer for the North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE), and is a recipient of their official certification of excellence (FSA). David.Polonsky@adasisrael.org

Janice Mostow, President

Janice Mostow is a native Washingtonian who belonged to Adas as a child along with her parents, grandparents, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She rejoined the Adas community 4 years ago and has served on the Board of Directors and on the JMCW Task Force. During her career with Montgomery County Public Schools, Janice served as a a middle school and high school English teacher, an assistant principal at Quince Orchard High School, and the principal of both Briggs Chaney Middle School and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. She also served as the Director of Secondary Administrator Training and the President of the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals. After retiring, Janice tutored students, served as a parent advocate, and coached new principals in MCPS. Janice and her husband John live in Chevy Chase and spend joyful time with her son and daughter and their spouses and their four wonderful grandchildren all of whom live nearby.

Tali Stein, Vice President of Membership

Bio Coming Soon

Sarah Dovere, Vice President of Education & Youth

Bio Coming Soon

Emilie Hyams, Assistant Secretary

Emilie Hyams and her family joined Adas in 2015, and with each passing year-- in discovering its varied offerings-- she has become more dedicated to its mission of providing a sacred space for all who seek to be connected to Judaism and a Jewish community.  Emilie first became involved at Adas through participating in the Gan's Parent Association, and currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors and its Search Committee for Adas' COO.  Emilie, originally from Tucson, Arizona, lives in Bethesda with her partner, Jon, and their three children (one Gan graduate now attending Adas' religious school, and two current Gan students).   She is the founder of Immigration Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm that engages in advocacy to protect the rights of immigrants to and in the U.S., inspired by the history of the Jewish diaspora and her own mother who immigrated to the U.S. to fulfill her American Dream.

Andrew Ackerman, Assistant Treasurer

Bio Coming Soon

Elected Board Members

Life Board Members