Our Board
Wendy Rhodes President
Wendy has been singing with Kol Zimrah since 2012 and is a proud alto in the Makom Solel Lakeside choir. In addition to her passion for singing, she serves on the board for the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ).
Myra Shneider Treasurer
Myra has been a member of KZ since 2003 and has been singing with synagogue, temple community, and school choirs since 1960. She currently is a member of Temple Jeremiah. Professionally, she has worked in non-profit management and grants administration.
Jessica Amend Recording secretary
Jessica has been a member of Kol Zimrah since the early 2000s. Choral singing, both secular and Jewish, has been part of her life since high school. She grew up at Am Shalom, attends Makom Solel Lakeside, and teaches religious school at Beth Emet, and is very excited to be a part of the Kol Zimrah leadership.
Margaret Burka Soprano representative
Margaret Burka has been a member of Kol Zimrah and Makom Solel Lakeside (and formerly Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism) since the mid-2000s. She was librarian at Lakeside for 30 years and now enjoys working with the library committee at Makom as a volunteer. Along with singing, she plays the piano and enjoys reading, drawing, and painting.
Larry Cohan Tenor representative
Jim Leftwich Bass representative
Jim has been a member of the bass section of Kol Zimrah for over seven years. He has sung with various Jewish choirs for nearly twenty-five years, including those of Temple Beth Israel and Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah.
Michael Mitzen Past president
Michael is a founding member of Kol Zimrah. He began singing in Jewish National Fund choirs at age 13. Michael is also a member of the Temple Jeremiah choir.
Phyllis Zaban Alto representative
Phyllis is a founding member of KZ and has sung in the Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah choir for 46 years. She a teacher in the
Chicago Public School system before retiring to raise her three children. Says Phyllis, "It’s a gift to be able to sing with my fellow choristers in Kol Zimrah and an honor to serve on the board."
Wendy has been singing with Kol Zimrah since 2012 and is a proud alto in the Makom Solel Lakeside choir. In addition to her passion for singing, she serves on the board for the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ).
Myra Shneider Treasurer
Myra has been a member of KZ since 2003 and has been singing with synagogue, temple community, and school choirs since 1960. She currently is a member of Temple Jeremiah. Professionally, she has worked in non-profit management and grants administration.
Jessica Amend Recording secretary
Jessica has been a member of Kol Zimrah since the early 2000s. Choral singing, both secular and Jewish, has been part of her life since high school. She grew up at Am Shalom, attends Makom Solel Lakeside, and teaches religious school at Beth Emet, and is very excited to be a part of the Kol Zimrah leadership.
Margaret Burka Soprano representative
Margaret Burka has been a member of Kol Zimrah and Makom Solel Lakeside (and formerly Lakeside Congregation for Reform Judaism) since the mid-2000s. She was librarian at Lakeside for 30 years and now enjoys working with the library committee at Makom as a volunteer. Along with singing, she plays the piano and enjoys reading, drawing, and painting.
Larry Cohan Tenor representative
Jim Leftwich Bass representative
Jim has been a member of the bass section of Kol Zimrah for over seven years. He has sung with various Jewish choirs for nearly twenty-five years, including those of Temple Beth Israel and Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah.
Michael Mitzen Past president
Michael is a founding member of Kol Zimrah. He began singing in Jewish National Fund choirs at age 13. Michael is also a member of the Temple Jeremiah choir.
Phyllis Zaban Alto representative
Phyllis is a founding member of KZ and has sung in the Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah choir for 46 years. She a teacher in the
Chicago Public School system before retiring to raise her three children. Says Phyllis, "It’s a gift to be able to sing with my fellow choristers in Kol Zimrah and an honor to serve on the board."