Religious Leadership

Rabbi Dr. Asher and Dr. Rachel R. Oser

Rabbi Asher & Dr. Rachel Oser

Originally from Australia, Rabbi Oser was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary-Yeshiva University where he was a Wexner Graduate Fellow. Prior to ordination, he studied at Yeshivat Kol Torah in Jerusalem and Yeshivat Har Etzion in Gush Etzion. He holds a B.A. from the University of Sydney, an M.A. from McGill University and a PhD in Modern Jewish History from Yeshiva University. The title of his doctoral dissertation is  When an American Jew Produced: Judah David Eisenstein and the First Hebrew Encyclopedia. He has contributed articles to the Encyclopaedia Judaica.

Rabbi Oser was a rabbinic intern at Manhattan’s Congregation Adereth El, Stern College for Women and Park East Synagogue.

Rabbi Oser is married to Dr. Rachel R. Oser who, in addition to her career as a science educator, is active in the Jewish community. She organizes monthly classes for women, tutors adults in Judaism, meets with Bat Mitzvah girls, and is involved with the Hong Kong Mikvah. The Osers are blessed with four children and are proud parents at the Carmel School.

 

 

Rabbi Aviel and Michal Javasky

Rabbi Aviel and Michal Javasky

Rabbi Javasky underwent rabbinic training at  Ohr Torah Stone (Efrat) he received his rabbinical ordination from Israel’s Chief Rabbinate; he holds a B.A. in Education and Teaching from Herzog College (Alon Shvut) and did his military service with the Nahal Brigade. Michal holds a B.A. in Social Work from Ashkelon Academic College and did her military service at the Mikveh Israel Youth Village. Rabbi Javasky is fluent in English and Hebrew, Michal’s first languages are French and Hebrew, and she is comfortable in English. 
 
We are happy that Rabbi Aviel and Michal, together with their three-year-old daughter Noam, will be spending another year with us.

 

 

Lay Leadership

Management Committee: 
This committee works with the Rabbi to formulate and implement the vision and goals of OLS.

Steve Lyons (Chair)
Seth Fischer (Vice Chair)
Rabbi Asher Oser
Marc Selevan (Hon. Treasurer)
Karen Landau
Shirley Mizrahi
Geoffroy Wallier

Sub-Committees:

Affiliation (Rabbi Oser, Geoffroy Wallier)
Broader Community / Interfaith Relations (Geoffroy Wallier)
Child Safety (Karen Landau and Steve Lyons)
Communication (Shirley Mizrahi)
Education (Seth Fischer)
Finance (Marc Selevan)
Intra-Community Relations (Steve Lyons)
Ritual (Rabbi Oser)
Social Action (Shirley Mizrahi)
Strategic Plan (Steve Lyons)
Youth (Rabbi Aviel and Michal Javasky)

 

To contact the Management Committee please send an email to Management@ohelleah.org

 

Synagogue Staff

 

Pauline Ngan – Office Manager Pauline is the magic that keeps OLS running smoothly. If you call our office Pauline is the helpful voice you will hear. She has worked with us since 1994 and knows us all. We are grateful for all she does. Pauline can be reached at Pauline@OhelLeah.org.

Stephen Wong – Synagogue Porter Stephen is the friendly face who sets up breakfasts in the mornings, makes sure that the synagogue kitchen is well stocked and does any other errands we may need. He has worked with us since 1998.