Leadership & Staff
Welcoming Rabbi Julia Margolis
Rabbi Julia Margolis, who was born in Moscow, USSR was raised in Israel as a daughter to her role model mother, Rabbi Elena.
At the age of 12, Rabbi Julia’s family made Aliyah to Israel, where she completed high school and served as an educational officer in the army (IDF). In 2000 after her release from the IDF, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Ben Gurion University in Jewish History, Islam and Art. Rabbi then went on to complete her Masters’ degree in Jewish Studies. She was raised in a family with deep roots in the Reform movement – her mother was the first Russian speaking female Rabbi in Israel.
Rabbi Julia was ordained by the Abraham Geiger College, Germany. She has worked in the Reform movement in Israel and has represented the Reform movement all over the world. Her involvement with the Reform movement in South Africa began in 2009, working in different synagogues as well as officiating at life cycle events in different parts of Africa, until opening her own Progressive Synagogue, Beit Luria, in which she followed her dreams. Rabbi Margolis was the Chairperson of the South African Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR) and Co-Chair of the South African Centre for Religious Equality and Diversity (SACRED).
Rabbi Margolis is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. She currently lives in St. Thomas with her two wonderful daughters, Emily and Victoria, and was married to her late husband, Greg Z”L. She is excited to reinvigorate the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas.
Our Staff
Stella Minion
Administrator, Life Cycle Event Coordinator
After living in St. Thomas for 8 years, Stella is now working remotely, as she moved to Columbia, Maryland with her husband of over 40 years, 2 years ago. Family is a very important part of her life and now she lives close to 2 of her 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Although her primary responsibilities originally consisted of correspondence and communication, her role has greatly expanded. She became the Life Cycle Events coordinator, helping families with all aspects of Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Wedding planning and Renewal of Vows, answering questions and making the families feel comfortable, supported and welcome. Stella then stepped into editing and producing the High Holy Day Book of Remembrance, and organizing our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, which includes selecting one high school senior from each of the high schools in St. Thomas and St. John as recipients of a special scholarship from the Synagogue.
In the summer of 2018, in recognition of what she was already doing, and at the recommendation of the rabbi, the Board of Trustees asked Stella to step into a professional staff role as Administrator of the Congregation. Still continuing with her other duties, she now also oversees the day-to-day operations of the Synagogue and supervises the other members of the staff.
Michelle Barnes
Administrative Assistant
Michelle Barnes joined the Hebrew Congregation in April 2021 as an Administrative Assistant, providing comprehensive support in both administrative and financial functions. Her responsibilities include managing payroll processes, ensuring accurate and timely payment of employees, and maintaining compliance with tax regulations.
Michelle is proficient in handling correspondence, drafting documents, and maintaining organized filing systems. Overall, Michelle is dedicated to ensuring the smooth operation of payroll and tax processes, contributing to the overall success of the Synagogue.
Michael Fuertes
Building and Grounds Superintendent
Michael Fuertes has lovingly taken care of our Synagogue for over 20 years! He performs most of the maintenance of our property, from anything mechanical to sifting the sand on the floor, polishing the brass and silver, and cleaning the chandeliers. He prepares the synagogue for services, lays out the proper prayer books, and sets up, assists during, and cleans up after all dinners and events that we have at the Lilienfeld Community House across the street from the synagogue. He maintains the grounds and assists the rest of the staff with any special requirements. When our Docent is unavailable, he has stepped in to lead tours of the Sanctuary himself.
Michael was born and raised on St. Thomas His parents are originally from Puerto Rico. Besides his life at the Synagogue, Michael has two children, and he takes care of his parents and helps friends and family on weekends. He loves woodworking, antiques and makes extremely realistic spiders out of palm trees and coconuts.
Neisha Christopher
Gift Shop Manager
Neisha has served in both the sales/marketing and educational fields. After ten and a half years of living in Queens, New York, she relocated back home to St. Thomas during the summer of 2021. She continued teaching for a little over a year and decided to return to the world of sales/marketing. Neisha is very passionate about providing top-tier service to each guest to ensure their enjoyment of the optimal experience. Everyone who enters the gift shop is greeted with a warm welcome, a brief description of the gifts, and details on what they symbolize.
Our Board of Trustees:
President – Marilyn Blackhall
Vice President – Carol Rich
Treasurer – Lou Minion
Secretary – Penny Feuerzeig
Immediate Past President – Dorothy Isaacs
Representatives – Lindsey Eilon, Alan Friedman, Liza Margolis, Donald Pomeranz, Trudie Prior
Past Presidents of the Congregations
(from 1966):
Dorothy Isaacs
Jeffrey Silverman
Donald Pomeranz
Carol Moore
Greg Ebenholz
Penny Feuerzeig
Helen M. Goldman
Katina E. Coulianos
Trudie Prior
Jeannette Allis Bastian
Donald Pomeranz
Andrea Weibel
Marilyn Blackhall
Ben Posner
Monroe R Abrams
Sidney S Hertz
Ralph M. Paiewonsky
Norman Scherman
Hey Roth
David Puritz
David Rosen
Morris F. DeCastro