Victor Svilik, President

Vic and his wife, Mariya, have been members of Stephen Wise Temple since 2003, the year before they were married by Rabbi Ron Stern. Vic’s three children, Eliana, Jonathan, and Sarah also attended Wise School and/or Wise Religious School and Camp Wise. His children have been and continue to be active members of the community through Wise Readers to Leaders and Confirmation. Vic’s kids have grown up at Wise and in this community, celebrating all simchas with Rabbi Stern, Rabbi Yoshi, and Cantor Emma. Mariya was an active parent in the Religious School community. Since joining the Board in 2013, Vic has served on the Membership Committee and the Financial Oversight Committee. Prior to his current role as President of the Board of Directors, Vic was the Chairperson of the Financial Oversight Committee from 2017 to 2025. Vic has also been a member of the Board’s Executive Committee during his tenure as FOC Chair. Vic is dedicated to the immediate and long-term success of Stephen Wise Temple, as well as other Jewish institutions, as he feels that these institutions are essential for Jewish continuity and longevity. In addition to his support of Wise, Vic is a member of AIPAC and supports Jewish causes such as the Jewish Federation, Stand With Us, Friends of the IDF, and Brothers & Sisters For Israel. When not volunteering at Wise, Vic is a commercial real estate developer and investor, and Mariya is a physician at UCLA. Vic holds a B.A. from Stanford University, J.D. from Harvard Law School, and M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He grew up in Encino, where he still lives today.

Alexsondra Shore Fixmer, First Vice President

Alex is a third-generation member of Stephen Wise Temple, raised in a Wise Temple home and educated at Wise School from early childhood. Her deep-rooted connection to the community continues today with her husband, Andy, and their two children, who attended Wise School and now participate in the Center for Youth Engagement. Alex currently serves on the Temple’s Board of Directors as its First Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee. She is deeply engaged across the institution, serving on the Financial Oversight, Legal & Governance (former chair), Human Resources, Nominating, and School-to-Shul (Shalom Bayit, former chair) Committees. She previously chaired the Educational Advisory Committee and served on the Center for Tikkun Olam Advisory Committee. Beyond Wise, Alex volunteers year-round with Public Counsel, representing low-income families in the adoption process, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, where she advocates for youth in foster care to access healthcare, education, and permanent family support. Professionally, Alex is the managing attorney for Walt Disney’s global media businesses, responsible for all legal aspects of the domestic and international technology operations and engineering teams. In this role she oversees the legal function related to the infrastructure, production, and distribution of Disney’s streaming platforms, including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, as well as its global broadcast and cable networks ABC, Fox/FX, Disney Channels Worldwide, ESPN, and NatGeo. Alex also leads technology legal for Disney’s global mergers and acquisitions portfolio and oversees data strategy and implementation for Disney’s technology products and platforms. Drawing on both her professional expertise and lifelong connection to Wise, Alex is deeply committed to strengthening and sustaining the Temple community for generations to come.

Brian Cohen, Vice President

Mr. Cohen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Arden Insurance Services LLC, a managing general underwriter. Arden provides insurance for condominium associations and affordable housing communities in twelve states. Brian formerly was an Operating Partner at Altamont Capital Partners. He also served as the President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Pacific Specialty Insurance Company.
Brian began his insurance career at the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies where he was the Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Brian’s additional duties at Farmers included as the President of Farmers Financial Solutions, serving as a member of the Office of the President, chairing the Budget Committee and the Strategy Committee, and serving on the Investment Committee. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Farmers New World Life Insurance Company Brian was formerly a C.P.A. and a corporate lawyer. He earned his business degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Southern California.

Ira Pianko, Vice President

Ira, his wife Robin, and their two sons, David and Brian, moved to Los Angeles more than 35 years ago and immediately became part of the Stephen Wise Temple community. Both David and Brian eventually graduated from the Elementary School and over the years, Stephen Wise Temple continues to be an important part of their family. Rabbi Herscher and Cantor Lam both officiated at David and Brian’s Bar Mitzvahs, Brian and Marissa’s wedding, the baby naming’s of their children, as well as other life cycle events. The love and support from the community when David passed was a source of strength for the family. Over the years, Ira has been a partner with an International Accounting firm as well as the Chief Operating and/or Chief Financial Officer at a music publisher, real estate firm, and K-12 school. Ira has served on the Board of the Oakwood School since 1991 and Stephen Wise Temple since 2018. He has also been involved in a number of community-based organizations. Both Robin and Ira Co-Chaired the 2024 Stephen Wise Gala, participate in the Florence Melton program as well as community learning opportunities at Wise Temple. Since becoming a member of the Board of Directors, Ira has served on the Executive Committee, Financial Oversight Committee, Audit Committee, Nominating Committee, and co-chaired the advisory committee of the Center for Jewish Life. Ira is a member of the Resmark Equity Partners Board of Directors.

Philip Koosed, Vice President

Philip has served on the Board of Stephen Wise Temple and the Financial Oversight Committee for the past few years. Wise Temple has been an incredibly significant part of Philip’s life and the lives of his entire family. Philip is a Wise School alumni and Wise School parent. He began at Wise Temple in Mommy and Me and continued through to become Bar Mitzvah, and eventually went through the Confirmation program. His two sisters also attended Wise School and his three sons (Asher, Itzhak & Avraham) and three nephews (Ollie, Sawyer & Archie) all attend or attended Wise School. Philip is deeply passionate about the continuation of the Jewish tradition and truly believes that Stephen Wise Temple is an instrumental part in continuing these traditions.

Roya Melamed, Vice President

Roya is a life-long member of Stephen Wise Temple. Roya’s parents, Kamran and Jila Hekmat, joined the temple over 40 years ago and were active members of both the Temple and the School over the years. As a product of the Wise Mommy-and-Me program, Preschool, and Religious School, Roya credits this community for shaping her Jewish identity. She and her husband, Farhad Melamed, continued this tradition at Wise. Their three children, Micah, Mia, and Luca, attended the Wise Mommy-and-Me program and Wise Early Childhood Center. Micah and Mia attended the Religious School program, and currently Mia participates in WTY. Luca greatly enjoys his weekly T’filiah studies. Roya has proudly served this year on the Executive Committee and on the Wise Temple Board of Directors for the last seven years. Additionally, she has served on the Nominating Committee, Temple Development Committee, and CYE Development Committee. Outside of Wise, Roya serves on the Board of Directors of the American Friends of Beit Issie Shapiro, a special needs organization in Israel. Roya attended UCLA and Loyola Law School and works in Los Angeles as an attorney, specializing in music rights and royalties.

Andrew Berman, Vice President

Andrew Berman is a well-respected former entertainment industry veteran with over forty years of experience in global sales, marketing, and acquisition of entertainment content to all media worldwide. Mr. Berman worked in various senior level executive and leadership capacities in global sales, marketing, and acquisitions at such companies as Fremantle Entertainment, Starz Media, TMS Entertainment, Harvey Entertainment, New World Pictures and MGM. Mr. Berman is a graduate of California State University at Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio Television and Film. Mr. Berman currently is actively involved with commercial real estate management and investments. He also has been very involved and active in nonprofit Boards serving as past President of the Board of Trustees of the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Los Angeles Jewish Health for six years and is now a current Board Member, Berman also serves on the Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee at Stephen Wise Temple and is involved with the Mentorship Program at the Jewish Federation. Berman also serves on the Board with Connecting to Cure, Foundation at El Caballero, Tomorrow’s Women, and is on the Committee at the St. John’s Hospital Cancer Mentorship program. Berman is also a licensed California Real Estate agent. Berman resides in Tarzana, California and is married with two daughters (who were both Bat Mitzvah at Wise) and two granddaughters.

Sandy Sigal, Vice President

Sandy joined Stephen Wise Temple over 45 years ago. He became Bar Mitzvah by Rabbi Herscher and Cantor Lam (who let him join the Choir despite being tone deaf) and went through Confirmation. Sandy was married by Rabbi Zeldin and Cantor Lam, who also named all four of their kids. He is blessed to share Torah Study with Rabbi Woznica, who continues to inspire him. Wise has helped him define his early, teen, and young adult years and is now helping to teach him to raise his kids, lead his business, and grow his mind. He currently serves on the board of the Temple serving on the Financial Oversight Committee (FOC), as well as leading the Endowment Committee. Sandy just completed his chairmanship of the Board of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, which sponsored him as a young boy to attend Camp Bob Waldorf. He serves on the Board of the Jewish Community Foundation and is a mentor for young adults for the Community Leadership Institute, which teaches young leaders how to balance Judaism with work and personal development. Sandy is also a member, and former chair of RPO, the Real Estate Principals Organization, which is made up of Jewish Real Estate leaders who are committed to using their real estate skill to advance Jewish causes. He was the Honoree at the Jewish Federations Real Estate Cabinet dinner in 2019, as well as an E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year for Greater Los Angeles in 2016, and he was honored for his service for JBBBBS with a Lifetime Achievement Award at his favorite venue, Katz Pavillion. Sandy is Founder, President, and CEO of NewMark Merrill Companies—owner, developer, and manager of shopping centers in California, Colorado, and Illinois. He is married to Allison, and is the proud parent of Hayden, Thea, Sabrina, and William, and grandfather of Carina and Giovanna.

Elina Wineburgh, Congregational Director

Elina Wineburgh is seasoned attorney with 20 years’ experience in civil litigation, specifically in employment law, as well as independent workplace investigations. Elina joined Wise Temple in 2002 and has been engaged in community service and leadership at Wise since. Elina joined the Board in 2024 and has been a contributing member of the Governance and Legal, Nominating, and Center for Youth Engagement committees. In 2022-23, Elina and a group of Wise Temple volunteers led an initiative to sponsor and successfully relocate an Afghan refugee to the United States. Outside of Wise, Elina mentors’ first-generation undergraduate students at her Alma Matter, the University of California, Berkeley, and volunteers at her kids’ school. Elina lives in Encino with her husband Sam, her two boys, Meyer (age 11) and Adler (9), and a very handsome weenie dog named Archie.

Jodi Kirkbride, Congregational Director

My husband Rick and I have been active temple members for more than 35 years. Our two children attended Stephen Wise Elementary and Religious schools. I served on both school and executive boards (Elementary and Milken), as well as many different temple committees. I was also a member of the University of Pennsylvania parent board for four years. I currently sit on the board of Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, focusing on development, and I Co-chair the temples Annual Campaign. I am honored that the temple has considered me for another term and I look forward to remaining an active, committed and contributing member of our congregation.

Bradley Cohen, Congregational Director

Brad grew up in Los Angeles and along with his wife Cheryl became members of the Stephen Wise Temple community 43 years ago. All three of their children, Nicole, Crissy, and Maxx are members of the Wise Community, attended Wise Elementary School, became Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and were confirmed at the temple. Among the several philanthropic organizations that Cheryl and Brad support, their main support revolves around Jewish organizations as they feel very strongly about the continuation of Jewish traditions. They believe Stephen Wise Temple, and specifically its Elementary School, plays a vital role as one of many tools for the successful teaching of Jewish history and traditions.

Rama Fakheri, Congregational Director

Rama has been a member of Stephen S. Wise for over 17 years. She has watched all three of her children, Noah (18), Isaac (16), and Levi (11), flourish at Wise School since they enrolled in mommy and me. When her children were young, Rama and her husband, Ario, sought a school and temple where Jewish values and identity would be an integral part of their daily lives. From the moment they entered Stephen S. Wise, they were welcomed by the community, introduced to many families, and truly began to feel at home. Through the years, Rama’s involvement with both the school and temple has grown significantly. Her family’s home has functioned as a welcoming space for temple events like Wise Guys and Shabbat across Wise. Rama and her family have also had the privilege of participating in Wise’s Shinshinim program, hosting several Shinshinim over the years. Rama’s prior involvement with the Wise Parents Association (WPA) includes serving as a committee chair for M’dor L’dor, Yom Hamoreh, Party Book, Back to Wise, Mitzvah Day, Nominating Committee, and the Gala. In addition, she served as the Wise Parents Association Co- President from 2020-2022. Since joining the Wise Temple Board of Directors in 2023, Rama has served on the Educational Advisory Committee and the Shalom Bayit Committee. Beyond her contributions to the Wise community, Rama serves on the Board of Maman Nonprofit, is a member of AIPAC and actively supports a range of Jewish organizations, including Milken Community School and Beit Issie Shapiro. Rama earned her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and has worked with numerous clinics helping individuals with severe mental illnesses.

Jordan Golshan, Congregational Director

Jordan Golshan has been part of the Wise community since Mommy & Me, growing up with the temple and day school as cornerstones of her life. The values of Judaism, community, and tikkun olam instilled here have guided her in every chapter since. Jordan is the Founder and CEO of Vegan Minerals and the creator of WholeCal, a 100% plant-based, whole-food calcium source derived from marine algae. Unlike traditional calcium made from rock or synthetic sources, WholeCal delivers calcium alongside the naturally occurring cofactors the body needs to properly absorb and use it. Designed for prevention, WholeCal is setting a new standard in calcium, supporting women in building strength earlier so they can stay active, capable, and confident for decades to come. At Stephen Wise Temple, Jordan currently serves on the Financial Oversight Committee and the Audit Committee, and volunteers with the Wise School Debate Team, inspired by the values of critical thinking and confident expression that debate instilled in her growing up. As a University of Michigan Ross School of Business alumna, Jordan remains an active member of the Zell Global Entrepreneurship Network, connecting entrepreneurs across Michigan, Northwestern, and IDC Herzliya in Israel and fostering ongoing ties to Israeli innovation. Jordan resides in Century City with her wife, Ady, their son, Jamie, and their dog, Skyy.

Sarah Talei, Congregational Director

Sarah Talei is a mother of 3 and a wife. She also is a founding partner of Talei & Talei LLP and a dedicated attorney handling probate and trust litigation, conservatorships, guardianships, and estate planning throughout Southern California. Sarah earned her J.D. from Whittier Law School and completed her undergraduate degree in Business at the University of Southern California. She previously worked at the respected firm Oldman, Sallus & Gold LLP, where she gained extensive experience in trust and estate disputes before launching her own practice. Sarah has been a member of Stephen S. Wise Temple for over 25 years, she serves as the Chair of the CYE Education Action Team, and has a deep connection to the temple and its Jewish community. She is also a board member of Maman Non-Profit and the Robert Nelson Fondation. Jewish causes and community are central to all of Sarah’s work and volunteering.

Dina Kadisha Aspen, Congregational Director

Dina Kadisha Aspen was born and raised in Los Angeles and is the parent of four children at Wise School with her husband Daniel: David (5th Grade), Liam (4th Grade), Cléa (Kindergarten), and Ora (AMC 1). She is an alumna of Milken Community High School and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and Marshall School of Business. Dina has been nominated for her second term on the Wise School Board and serves on the Education Advisory Committee and on additional task forces. Dina has served on philanthropic boards including United Hatzalah, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), Magbit Foundation, and Citizens Empowerment Center in Israel (CECI). She has chaired numerous events and is a public speaker on issues impacting the global Jewish community and humanitarian efforts. In 2022, she partnered with Stephen Wise and United Hatzalah to support the evacuation of Ukrainian Jewish refugees to Israel. Separately, she worked alongside a covert team, in coordination with Project Dynamo, to evacuate over 100 Jewish Ukrainian orphans from Odessa to safety in Romania under urgent conditions. In the months following October 7, she traveled to Israel in tandem with United Hatzalah to document the atrocities in the communities along Israel’s southern border with Gaza, and during that time also worked with the Hostage and Missing Families Forum. Professionally, Dina directs documentary films that have screened at international festivals and in independent theaters, including Operation Promise: Exodus from Ethiopia and The Revival of Jewish Poland. She has a long-standing partnership with the JDC, working in Ethiopia, Cuba, and Morocco, and has supported emergency relief efforts in Haiti, Addis Ababa and Gondar. Most recently, Dina completed filming on the feature The Red Prince in Athens, centered on the Mossad operative tasked with pursuing the terrorist behind the 1972 Munich Massacre, and will be available for viewing in early 2027 on a major streaming platform.

Tiffany Gabbay, Congregational Director

Tiffany Gabbay came to Wise School for one year as a sixth grader and it had a profoundly positive impact on her. She knew then that when she had her own children that she would want them to attend Wise School. She continued to Milken from 7th-12th grade and to FIDM from there. Tiffany worked in marketing and public relations before happily finding herself back at Wise when her daughter was 6 months old for parenting center classes. From when her daughter and son were in preschool Tiffany was selected as a Wise ambassador due to her love and enthusiasm for all things Wise. She began volunteering for different committees at Wise School and eventually began chairing many including Wise Style, Book Fair and Teacher Appreciation week. Tiffany was nominated as a VP of community building of the Wise Parents Association which oversaw Back-To-Wise, party book, the gala, the Purim carnival and worked on cultivating a strong community. Tiffany was nominated as co-president with Karen Denvir, who has become among her closest friends. Tiffany and Karen have proudly served as co-presidents and temple board members for three years. Tiffany considers this time among the most rewarding and fulfilling of her life. Wise is her second home, and she has tremendous love for both the temple and school. She is excited and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving on the temple board among so many exceptional and dedicated members.

Karen Denvir, Congregational Director

Karen joined Stephen Wise Temple in 2017 with her husband, Sean, and their three daughters—Rachel, Riley, and Regan—and is proud to call the Wise community her family’s second home. All three girls have either graduated from or are currently enrolled in Wise School, and her eldest daughter, Rachel, became a Bat Mitzvah at Wise last year. Over her nine years of involvement with the temple and school, Karen has made a meaningful and lasting impact through her leadership within the Wise Parents Association (WPA). She has served as a room parent and historian for many years and has contributed to numerous committees, including Wise Hearts, the Annual Giving Campaign, Wise Ambassadors, Birthday Celebrations, the Nominating Committee, Party Book, and the Gala. She served as Co–Vice President of School Events from 2022–2023 and most recently as WPA Co President, alongside her close friend Tiffany Gabbay, from 2023–2026. During their tenure as Co Presidents, Karen and Tiffany prioritized strengthening Jewish identity and community at Wise and beyond. Together with the WPA, they raised thousands of dollars for Israelis in need following October 7th through Dances for Israel and other fundraising initiatives. Their efforts were recognized at the 2024 Blue & White Ball, where they were honored as Heroes for Israel. Beyond her WPA leadership, Karen has contributed her time and expertise to the Temple Board’s Shalom Bayit Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee. Karen earned her B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. Before starting her family, she spent eight years working as a litigator in first- and third party insurance defense.

Philip Rahimzadeh, Congregational Director

Philip and his wife, Shannon, have been members of Stephen Wise Temple and its wonderfully warm community since 2017. They are blessed with four children Cameron, Dean, Nicholas, and Brooke. Philip and Shannon’s three boys currently attend Wise School. Philip presently serves on the Board’s Shalom Bayit and Committees at Wise Temple. After completing a bachelor’s in civil engineering at University College London, Philip moved from his hometown to Los Angeles in 1999. Professionally, Philip is the Managing Director of Core Development Group and has overseen the revitalization and repurpose of several older buildings predominantly located in downtown Los Angeles. Philip enjoys his interactions with the teachers, clergy, and staff of Wise School and is grateful for the important role they play in his children’s daily lives. He holds a number of charities and Jewish causes dear to his heart and has been a supporter of Children’s Hospital LA, Angel City Sports, Magbit Foundation, Neuromuscular Disease Foundation, St Jude’s Children Hospital, and WJC.