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Dennis J. Eisner, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Dennis J. Eisner is the newly appointed Senior Rabbi of Peninsula Temple Beth El. Rabbi Eisner brings his strong background in spiritual and pastoral guidance, Jewish communal work, youth programming, informal education, social action, and leadership development to his role at PTBE.

Rabbi Eisner was ordained at HUC-JIR/New York in 1998 and holds a Master of Arts degree in Hebrew Letters and a Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service.

Rabbi Eisner has served as the Associate Rabbi at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, Assistant Dean of the Los Angeles School of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. While at HUC-JIR Rabbi Eisner also served as Director of the Berit Mila Board of Reform Judaism and the National Organization of American Mohalim/ot. He was the Director of the Junior and High School Programs and NFTY for the Union for Reform Judaism and was Assistant Director of the URJ's Department of Synagogue Management.

Rabbi Eisner is married to Mandy Eisner and they are both proud parents of their son Maxwell Solomon and daughter Sadie Rose.


Rabbi Karen S. Citrin, Associate Rabbi
Rabbi Citrin joined Peninsula Temple Beth El after being ordained in 2003 from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. She also holds a master's degree in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR.

While in school, Rabbi Citrin served small congregations as a rabbinic intern in Yuma, Arizona and Visalia, California and worked in several congregations in the Los Angeles area. One of her favorite experiences was co-directing an alternative religious school program for families at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills with her husband, Micah.

Rabbi Citrin is originally from Belmont, Massachusetts. When she was younger, Jewish summer camp changed her life. During her summers at Camp Yavneh in New Hampshire, Rabbi Citrin came to understand what she loves about Judaism—the blend of tradition and creativity experienced in a close community of family and friends. Since then, Rabbi Citrin has lived in Israel for two years and has taught for many years in religious schools and a Jewish day school.

Rabbi Citrin is passionate about learning, teaching, Jewish music, reading novels, and being outdoors in the beautiful Bay Area. Following the teaching of Pirkei Avot (the Sayings of our Ancestors), she believes that we strengthen our community through ongoing study, worship renewal, and acts of loving kindness. Rabbi Citrin is committed to helping people engage in Jewish experiences that are enriching and meaningful throughout their lives.

Rabbi Citrin is married to Rabbi Micah Citrin, the Director of Community Life and Learning at Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto. They are blessed with twin sons, Itai and Yonah.

Kolenu Articles, Sermons, Lessons and Writings


Elana Jagoda, Cantorial Soloist
Elana has been working as an early childhood music specialist and Jewish music educator in the Bay Area since graduating from UC Santa Cruz. Elana is in her third year teaching at Beth El. Elana was part of the team that brought beautiful and varied music styles to our worship services this past year. Elana Jagoda returned to the bimah this year to lead the contemporary services on Erev Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre.

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