The Executive Committee of the Union for Progressive Judaism is responsible for governance and oversight of the organisation. Elections are held every two years for President, two Vice-Presidents, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary and two members at large. The President has the prerogative to appoint representatives from affiliated bodies (as specified in the constitution of the UPJ), as well as members at large for specific portfolios. The Executive Director serves on the Executive Committee ex-officio.

Current members of the Executive Committee are:

President: David Robinson

David  was born in Cape Town, South Africa and grew up in the Progressive movement as a member of Temple Israel. He attended Netzer youth movement (previously known as NFTY and then Maginim) as a Chanich and subsequently assumed a leadership role within the movement where he ran meetings for various age groups as well as the first national Netzer camp. David is also a past President of a B’nai B’rith lodge in Cape Town and has undertaken numerous other leadership roles including representing South Africa at a world Boy Scout jamboree in Japan in 1971. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession and is married to Maureen who he met through Netzer. David and Maureen have 3 daughters who have also all been involved in Progressive Jewish activities over many years. They migrated to New Zealand in December 1997 and David was elected to the Board of Management of Beth Shalom in Auckland in March 1998. He assumed the role of Vice President in March 1999 and took over as President in December 1999, a position he filled for 3 ½ years. On completion of his term as President, David assumed the role of Treasurer of Beth Shalom for 2 years. He was elected to the Executive of the UPJ in November 2004 as Vice President and convened the previous 2 UPJ regional conferences. David was honoured to be elected as President of UPJ in November 2008.

Vice President: Neil Samuel

Neil Samuel’s involvement in Progressive Judaism spans more than four decades continuing a well established family tradition. While his father was President of Temple Beth Israel, his mother was particularly involved with the Women’s Guild as their President. Much of Neil’s mentoring was carried out informally but his official roles have included Chairman of the Youth Council, Board Member, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer of Temple Beth Israel. In addition, Neil was appointed Honorary Treasurer of the Victorian Union for Progressive Judaism for six years and served on numerous Finance sub committees. From 2004 to 2008 he served as Honorary Treasurer of The Union for Progressive Judaism and in 2008, Neil was appointed Vice President. Neil is a Director of Dryen Australia Pty. Ltd., one of Australia’s largest domestic linen importers and wholesalers. A major part of this role has entailed extensive travel throughout Asia and Europe for 35 years. This wealth of experience earned him an invitation to lecture on numerous occasions at Deakin University on the practicalities of international trade, particularly China, India and Pakistan. Since 2003, Neil has served on the Board of Directors of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, taking on the role of Honorary Secretary the following year. While continuing in this role he also joined the Board of Directors of Alzheimer’s Australia in November, 2007, and is currently the Vice President. To unwind, Neil loves nothing more than rowing on the Yarra River, walking in the early hours of the day or watching a James Bond DVD. Thankfully, he has a very supportive family consisting of his wife, daughter, son and two naughty dogs who all bring much humour and some challenge into his life.

Vice President: Stephen Freeman

Stephen is the immediate past president of NSTE and was an active member of its board for over 10 years. He strongly believes Progressive Judaism provides pathways and connections for many Jews who would otherwise abandon their Jewish heritage and that the UPJ provided a vital role in providing resources and a community voice on behalf of Progressive Judaism.

Stephen is a lawyer with a major law firm in Sydney, has two sons Alex and Antony and lives with his partner, Rebecca Dreyfus at Crows Nest on the lower North Shore.

Honorary Secretary: Sharene Hambur

Sharene is a practising lawyer who has worked in the property industry for over 25 years. She has had a long and active involvement in both the Progressive Jewish community and the Zionist movement having served as president of her congregation, the Leo Baeck Centre for Progressive Judaism in Melbourne, as Chairman of the Victorian Union for Progressive Judaism and as a Vice-President of the Union of Progressive Judaism. Sharene is currently the Honorary Secretary of the Union of Progressive Judaism and a Vice-President of the Zionist Council of Victoria. She also serves on the Executive of the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Committee of Management of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. Sharene is married to Sam and has two children both of whom are currently attending University.

Honorary treasurer: Philip Levy

Philip and his wife Lorraine joined North Shore Temple Emanuel in 1980 and, after moving to the eastern suburbs, joined Emanuel Synagogue in 2007. They were active in communal work and Philip served on the Board of NSTE as Treasurer for 4 years and Vice-President for 3 years. Philip and Lorraine have 2 adult daughters, Monica and Sonja. Professionally, Philip graduated as a chemical engineer and had a career including technical management, management consulting, and senior corporate roles. He held the position of Human Resources Director in a major retailer, a bank, and a legal firm. Philip is in his 60′s and since his retirement he and Lorraine have enjoyed their interests of theatre, music and travel, and keep busy with voluntary work for several groups.

Committee Member: Shirley Bosman

I have been a member of Beth Shalom for almost 10 years having immigrated from South Africa in 1999. I became involved in assisting with the Hebrew School soon after arrival and once the Rabbi/Principal of the school left for another congregation, I found myself running the school. Together with my amazing teaching team, we have kept the school afloat with over 70 enrolled students. I have assisted with organising 2 UPJ Conferences and assist in other areas where necessary. Besides being extremely involved in a number of areas in our shul, I have also served on the Board of Management for the past 2 years, firstly sharing portfolios such as Educational representative and social rep together with other Board members and this year’s portfolio as membership chair. I hope to connect with each one of our centres to be able to assist them with whatever their needs may be during my term in office.

Committee Member: Tony Leverton

Tony is the Founding (and current) President of Brisbane Progressive Jewish Congregation and led it to affiliation with the UPJ in 2008. He is active in congregational and community affairs and has a special interest in building relationships and partnerships with other Jewish organisations. His guiding vision is Jewish engagement. Tony’s past work on the UPJ Executive focused on public relations and the review of UPJ’s Vision, Mission and Values Statements. He was also the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the exhilarating 2010 80th Anniversary UPJ Conference in Canberra. Before Tony and Sally and their younger daughter Rachael came to Australia, Tony was a Board member and President of that special New Zealand taonga (treasure), Temple Sinai, Wellington. Tony and Sally’s elder daughter Sarah is an industrial designer living in Finland. By day, Tony is an experienced organisational development / change manager, working as a Policy Director with the Queensland Government’s Department of Justice and Attorney-General. He is a Queensland Justice of the Peace.

Committee member: Joel Mendelson

Joel works as a Principal Performance Analyst for the Western Australian Office of the Auditor General. He has also taught Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations and Small Business Management in all of Western Australia’s public universities for the past 10 years. Joel has served on the committee / boards of many volunteer organisations, including the past 2 years on the board of Temple David – serving as Assistant Treasurer and Senior Vice-President. Joel was also active in the AUJS movement, in 2003 traveling to Israel as part of the Birthright Israel Program. Joel is passionate about ensuring the relevance of Progressive Judaism, especially younger members of the Jewish community.

Committee member: Roger Mendelson

Roger has considerable business experience to contribute to his role at the UPJ. He is the author of two published books on business. He served as president of Temple Beth Israel from 2005-2008, and as vice-chair of Progressive Judaism Victoria (formerly "The Victorian Union for Progressive Judaism") for one year. Roger believes that the Progressive Movement should strive to be accessible, welcoming and  relevant in a pro-active way. Roger is married to Sue, and the couple has three grown children.

Committee member: Henry Okraglik

Committee member: Ian Samuel

Ian is a lifelong member of the Progressive movement, having been part of Temple Beth Israel, Melbourne, community all of his life.  He is a retired solicitor, who now spends his time and energy in communal causes, in particular for Israel and the Progressive Movement.  He is chairman of hasbara for the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Zionist Council of Victoria, chairman of the UIA Progressive Trust and is a member of the Executive of the United Israel Appeal Victoria.  He is the immediate past president of ARZA Australia and is secretary of Arzenu, the roof body of Progressive Zionist bodies like ARZA Australia.  He is a member of the Committee of Management of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.  Ian is also a member of the executive of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Ian has a passion for genealogy and Australian history and is on the committee of the Australian Jewish Genealogy Association Victoria and the Australian Jewish Historical Society Victoria. Ian has an interest in various health and  disability issues and is president of the Ostomy Association of Melbourne and he assists the fundraising efforts of Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria. Ian is married to Shayndel and has three adult children and two beautiful young granddaughters. 

ARZA president: Barbara Ford

My family from Germany were early members of Temple Emanuel where I celebrated my Bat Mitzvah. Later we joined North Shore Temple Emanuel.  There I was actively involved in many committees including the Senior Citizens concerts over the past 27 years. While at NSTE I became a Board Member and Vice-President and, for several months, General Manager in the synagogue office. My involvement on the NSTE Board introduced me to the UPJ and their annual conferences. Since then I have regularly attended these conferences and become more involved in the work of the Progressive Movement. Prior to my retirement I worked in Telecommunications with both IBM and Plessey. My now retired partner Charles Simon and I live in Drummoyne. We have always enjoyed travelling and we have been fortunate to do this for both work and pleasure

Schools Representative: Geoff Sandler

Geoff Sandler is a Consultant where he works mainly in the development of people and the development of the organisation’s business. As a lawyer of some 17 years in private practice and 9 years as a consultant and trainer part of which time was with a pre-eminant communication consultancy, Geoff has extensive experience in developing the communication strategy, coaching individuals or teams whether in the tendering process, for significant presentations, or in leadership roles. He has also developed skills in relationship management and the strategic management of complex, high-value negotiations. Geoff has consulted on and coached in a range of major transactions. He has worked with executive teams on large tenders and on substantial disputes. Geoff has three daughters – two teenagers who believe they are in their late twenties and one of eleven who believes that she is seventeen. That is why he has grey hair. He is also a passionate Collingwood supporter.

WUPJ representative: Philip Bliss

Dr Philip Bliss is currently a vice chairman of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and sits on the WUPJ Board of Management and Executive. He chairs the Advocacy committee and Social Action Committee. He also co-chairs the Constitutional committee. Philip also sits on the World Zionist Council. Philip has been active on the Council for Christians and Jews, for which he is Federal treasurer and chairs, the programs and publicity committees for the Victorian CCJ. Philip is a previous president of the Union for Progressive Judaism and of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria. He is married to Andrea, has four children and three grandchildren and tries to earn a living as a dentist.

Moetzah chair: Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky

I was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in Reform congregation Temple Sinai. The first woman was ordained a rabbi not long before my eighth birthday, so from quite a young age I knew that it might be possible for me someday to be a rabbi. My childhood rabbi encouraged this by offering a number of young women the opportunity to do a one year rabbinic internship under his tutelage, and I met my first woman rabbinical student when I was eleven. By then, I had caught the bug and had already determined that I would pursue rabbinic studies following university. I earned my rabbinic degree from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. The American Reconstructionist movement has strongly influenced my style as a rabbi, encouraging me to work collaboratively with my lay leadership and to see myself as a teacher and facilitator rather than a preacher. Following rabbinical school, I initially worked for two years as part of multifaith chaplaincy teams in major teaching hospitals. At the end of a challenging second year working with pediatric oncology patients, I decided I was ready to experience the entire life cycle, and so I came to roost for ten years at a small congregation outside of Pittsburgh. Since 2006, I have served another small congregation--Beit Shalom Progressive Synagogue in Adelaide.

Netzer: Anat Baruch, NSW Shlicha

Anat Baruch was born in Haifa in 1978, growing up in the Scouts Youth Movement. Anat is a Captain in the IDF and served her country for 6 years. Anat has a BA in Political Science and History of the Middle East and also a BA in Economics. In addition, she is a dance teacher and a Pilates instructor. Anat arrived in Sydney in November, 2009 to be Shlicha (emissary from the State of Israel) for the Progressive community in New South Wales and the Netzer Youth Movement. For the next couple of years in this position she plans to help Netzer achieve its goals as a Jewish progressive and Zionist youth movement and to bring Israel and the connection to it to the community of both Emanuel Synagogue and North Shore Temple Emanuel.

Executive Director: Steve Denenberg

English born, Israel trained Social Worker, Steve has been a proud Australian since he moved to Sydney with his wife and two daughters in 1986. After 18 years as CEO of Jewish Care (NSW) and perios as CEO of the federal body, Steve established Plum Partnerships, providing low-cost fundraising and ‘profile raising’ for Israel-based not-for-profits. In 2044, Steve joined Emanuel Synagogue as part-time and then full-time CEO. In 2008 he combined this role with that of Executive Director of the UPJ until, in August 2008, he joined the UPJ full-time. Steve has a Bechor of Social Work from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and post-graduate qualifications from the University fo Essex (U.K.) and the Australian Graduate School of Management. He is an alumnus of the Sydney Leadership program. During this time he has worked as a volunteer for numerous organisations, including the Refugee Council of Australia, the Refugee Advice & Casework Service, the Association of Jewish Communal Professionals, the 2000 Olympics and Emanuel School (as Board member, chairman and President) and has received the Centenary Award for services to the Jewish community, the aged, young people and people with disabilities.

Project coordinator: Jocelyn Robuck

Initially brought on board to coordinate the Mishkan T’filah project in 2009, Jocelyn’s role at the UPJ has expanded to include editing Gal Chadash, the UPJ’s quarterly e-newsletter, coordinating UPJ gatherings and conferences, website management and numerous other projects. Jocelyn and her husband Rabbi Gary Robuck and their three children David, Shoshana and Aaron, returned to Australia in 2003, and proudly became Australian citizens in 2010.

Administrative Officer: Ellen Frajman