Our Leaders

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Greg Goussak serves as President of Midbar Kodesh Temple.  He is a Principal Auditor for the Clark County Water Reclamation District.  Greg with his wife Cindy and their 2 young adult daughters, who both celebrated their bat mitzvah at MKT, has been a member of the synagogue for almost 20 years.

Amy Fieldman, a current Vice President, past President, and founding member of Midbar Kodesh Temple has served on many committees.  Her children attended the first classes of MKT Preschool and MKT Religious school, with all 3 celebrating their B’nei Mitzvah at Midbar Kodesh Temple and becoming active in the USY program.  Her contributions in time, talent and treasure are invaluable and she looks forward to helping bring Midbar Kodesh Temple into the next decade

Dave Gavrin, a retired middle school teacher from New York, currently serves as a Vice President of Midbar Kodesh Temple, and has been President of Men's Club for many years.  Each year he heads up January's annual poker tournament, February's World Wide Wrap and April's yellow candle project.  At Sukkot and other times during the year you will find Dave at the BBQ visiting with congregants young and old, and every Shabbat sitting next to wife Roza.

Jackie Gilbert serves as a Vice President on Midbar Kodesh Temple's Board of Directors. She is a long-time Las Vegas resident and retired attorney who calls Henderson home and members of Midbar her Nevada family. When not traveling or at home with her two-dog family, Jackie is at the Smith Center enjoying Broadway plays or can be heard yelling "Go Knights Go" at the T-Mobile Arena.

LVMPD Sergeant Darren Schwartz serves as a Vice President on Midbar Kodesh Temple's Board of Directors.  He advises on security at the synagogue. Both Darren and wife Jennifer were raised in Las Vegas and they both were USY advisors at Midbar Kodesh Temple.  They have been members of the synagogue for almost 2 decades and have a 12 year old son. 

Marc Grisar serves as Treasurer to the Midbar Kodesh Temple.  Marc and wife Robyn were raised in Las Vegas and have been members of the synagogue for over 20 years. They have 3 children, all who celebrated their b'nei mitzvah with the congregation.  He is an Enrolled Agent with C.Terry Raben, CPA and spends time with District 2 Little League as an Assistant District Administrator and Treasurer. 

Tiffany Doctors has been a member of Midbar Kodesh Temple for over 27 years and has been the head of the Education Committee, co-chaired a Recipe Book committee, sat on the Scholarship Committee, was a MKT Kadima Advisor and has been one of Midbar's Star Bakers.  Tiffany is a partner in a local law firm and participates in several professional organizations. 

Joel Altman has been a member of Midbar Kodesh Temple with wife Marci and their children for almost 2 decades, with Noah, Chase and Dax, all being graduates of MKT ECC.  Joel is an Exhibits Director for the Western Veterinarian Conference (WVC).   The Altman's parents are Bobbi & Hesh Altman and Janis & Harvey Riceberg, giving them status of a 3 generation Midbar family on both sides. 

Dayna Eisen grew up in New York and Atlanta, moving to Las Vegas in 2012. Dayna works in corporate event planning and founded Midbar Kodesh’s young adult group (YAD), whose programming has recently included sponsoring a CCSD student for the holidays and hosting a Chanukah Gift Exchange. Dayna and her husband Jonathan were married in 2018 by Rabbi Teckteil and are third generation members of MKT.

Ira Goldberg moved to Las Vegas from the Bronx, NY in 1978 and with his wife Isabel, of blessed memory.  Together, they became one of the first members of Midbar Kodesh Temple. Ira is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a clinical member of A.A.M.F.T. with a private practice with Comprehensive Therapy Centers.  Ira has always been available to the youth of MKT and has often been a guest host at USY and Ma'ayan events.  

Laura Pyzer joined Midbar Kodesh Temple 6 years ago, taking interest in the Midbar's educational committees.  Married to Jeremy Pyzer, they share 2 young children.  Laura is CEO and Owner of PyTown Marketing, a local advertising agency focusing on the Strip.  She is a co-founder of Boulder City Community Alliance, a member of American Association of University Women, and sits on the Marketing Committee for United Way of Southern Nevada. 

Barbara Grisar Raben has been a member of Midbar Kodesh Temple for almost 2 decades. Barbara has been honored by JFSA for the work that she has done as a past President and for the community. Barbara was a co-President of Hadassah Southern Nevada and served as President of Hadassah's Desert Mountain Region. Barbara is married Terry Raben and together they enjoy time with their children and grandchildren.

Ileen Spoor is a Judicial Executive Assistant for the Eighth Judicial District Court and serves on the Board of Directors, previously serving in the position of secretary at Midbar Kodesh Temple and Vice President. Ileen currently heads MKT's book club.  Ileen and her husband Randy are long time members of the synagogue. The Spoor/Villanueva family are proud to be a 3 generation Midbar family! 

Emily Ventura, husband Ron and their 2 children have been congregants for 6 years.  Emily has worked closely with the ECC for several years and for the past year has been a membership co-chair of Sisterhood. Previously, Emily worked with the Jewish Federation and as Assistant Area Director of AIPAC. She currently assists her husband in his real estate business. Emily is looking forward to continuing to improve and grow the MKT Religious School community. 

Cory Weinstein moved to Las Vegas with wife Danielle and their 2 young children in 2017.  Their son and daughter are both ECC alumni and now, students in the Religious School. Cory is a former data analyst for an insurance company and is the VP of Operations of Bass Brushes, a family owned Las Vegas manufacturing and distribution business. Cory sits on Midbar's financial committee and brings his business skills to Midbar Kodesh Temple. 

Kevin Diamond is a recent past Co-President of Midbar Kodesh Temple and serves on several committees, including the COVID-19 Steering Committee that has helped guide Midbar through the pandemic. Kevin is a Senior Partner at the law firm of Thorndal, Armstrong, Delk, Balkenbush & Eisinger.  Kevin and his wife Sharon, have a special connection to MKT as they grew up with many of the members.  Their son Nathaniel is a USY Advisor and daughter Talia is the USY President.

Shira Wood is a recent past Co-President at Midbar Kodesh Temple and continues to serve on several committees. Shira and her husband Adam have two children, Max and Kate. Shira is a Talent Leader at Deloitte. She grew up in Las Vegas, and her parents, Neal and Judie Lewis, were some of the first members of Midbar Kodesh Temple, proudly making them a 3 generation Midbar family!