 Rabbi Kosovske has over 40 years of rabbinic experience having had pulpits in several parts of the USA and in Hong Kong. In addition to rabbinic duties, he has taught Jewish studies at numerous universities and Jewish institutions as adjunct faculty, conducted lectures for the Jewish Chautauqua Society for over 20 years and is a published author.
Rabbi Kosovske retired in 2008 from Temple Beth Shalom in Peabody, Massachusetts after 12 years of service. Since then he has held a part-time position with the Institute for Jewish Living in Canton, Massachusetts, where he developed a creative model whereby unaffiliated Jews could rediscover their Jewishness, and he has taught Torah at the JCC. He does not know what the word retirement means. He is a people’s rabbi. Our congregation will find him very engaging, intelligent, interesting, active, humorous, and he bakes terrific bread.
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Cantor Barbara R. Finn began her position as cantor at Congregation Albert in Albuquerque, New Mexico in July of 2004. Previously she served at Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, Kansas from 1990-2004. She also taught elementary school music in the Olathe School District from 1979-2004. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Austin in Music Education and Voice with Minors in History, Yiddish Language and Literature, a Masters Degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in Educational Administration and Cantorial Certification and Investiture from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion School of Sacred Music.
Cantor Finn founded and coordinated the Kansas City Cantor’s Council from its inception until moving to Albuquerque. She helped organize and support Shireinu, the Kansas City Jewish Community Choir, and Koleinu, the Albuquerque Jewish Community Children’s Choir. She served on the Greater Kansas City Harmony Concert Steering committee as well as both the Kansas City and Albuquerque Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration committees. She is a founding member of RCAA, the Rabbinical and Cantorial Association of Albuquerque.
Nationally, Cantor Finn is a member of the American Conference of Cantors where she is currently serving as T’filah Chairperson on the conference steering committee. She is also a member of Zamir Choral Foundation, Music Educators National Conference and American Choral Directors Association. She participated as a Leadership Team Member of the Synagogue 2000 National Reform Cohort. She is a trained facilitator of Dr. Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
Cantor Finn has led worship services at the American Conference of Cantors national convention on several occasions as well as at the North American Jewish Choral Festival, and the 2007 URJ Pacific Coast Regional Biennal. She has served on faculty for URJ Camps Newman and Goldman Union Camp Institute. She has sung in the CAJE (Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education) Cantor’s Choir at National CAJE Conferences.
Cantor Finn and her husband David, have two adult children; a daughter who lives in Denver and a son who is a graduate student at the University of New Mexico.
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Paula Hollinger has been the Administrator since March 2006, prior to which she was our Clergy Assistant. She has served as an arts and crafts teacher for our Religious School as well as a staff member of our Camp Oranim. Before Paula joined our synagogue staff, she worked for the Jewish Federation of Greater Albuquerque.
Paula was born and grew up in Stony Brook, New York. She attended San Diego State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Finance. Her work experience also includes several years in corporate management for leading retailer, Macy’s, in both San Francisco, CA and New York, NY. She is married and has three daughters.
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Carla has 15 years of accounting experience and has been at Congregation Albert since November of 2004. It is her hope that her work will help to promote generosity and openmindedness in the community.
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Sally first came to Albuquerque when she was only 15 years old. She then attended NMIMT for two years. Her first job in Albuquerque was for the Albuquerque Publishing Company. Sally then served on the board of the New Mexico Jewish Singles organization for several years and volunteered at Congregation Albert for several years. In 1993, Rabbi Steven Mills hired Sally on a part time basis working on a Jewish Singles program and on family and seniors’ programs. Two years later she went to work on a full time basis.
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Tony Pakinkis has been at Congregation Albert for over 20 years. He can usually be found working on the weekends and at special events.
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Dale Sides Cooperman is the Coordinator of the Early Childhood Center at Congregation Albert and has been in this position since January, 2008. For 20 years prior to becoming the Coordinator, Dale taught the kindergarten programs at Congregation B’nai Israel and for the last 10 years, at Congregation Albert.
Dale was born and grew up in New York City where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at Herbert H. Lehman College before moving to Albuquerque with her husband and daughter in 1976. After her son’s birth, Dale began her teaching career and furthered her formal education, acquiring a second Master’s Degree and a Education Specialist’s degree from the University of New Mexico.
Dale also spent many years teaching in religious school settings, in kindergartens, sixth and eighth grade classrooms, and had the opportunity to collaborate in the creation of a Hebrew High curriculum.
Considered a Master Teacher, Dale has spent many years in the classroom, working closely with the University of New Mexico in mentoring aspiring early childhood educators.
Dale is continually renewed in her work with young children and their families as she strives to encourage a love of learning, of community and of Judaism.
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Kathy is a native of Albuquerque. She has been with Congregation Albert since 2007. Kathy works with every division of the Education department, from the Early Childhood Center (ECC) to Family Education Day programs.
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Youth Director: Rachel Brookins
CJAY Advisor: Sara Levin
CHAYPER Advisor: Maia Brown
TASTY Advisor: Jeff Smolensky
TASTY Travel Advisor: Robin Sena
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