Our Board
Michael Mitzen President and Tenor Section Leader
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.
Jeff Arnold Vice President and Bass Section Leader
Jeff is a founding member of Kol Zimrah and has been on the Board of Directors for 15 years. He has been singing since the age of 5 (when he made a recording). He has sung in the Am Shalom choir since 1978. Jeff plays piano, guitar, trumpet, and French horn, and he has performed in community theater musicals for over 20 years.
Linda Block Secretary and Soprano Section Leader
Linda is a founding member of Kol Zimrah and has been on the Board of Directors for many years. Linda has a strong sense of community and lives for quality Jewish music. She also serves as resident cantorial soloist in the Northern Chicago suburbs.
Diane Arnold Treasurer and Alto Section Leader
Diane has been a member of Kol Zimrah since 2004 and is a proud member of its Board of Directors for 10 years. She has sung in the Am Shalom choir since 1989 and was involved in community musical theater for 20 years.
Jessica Amend Representative At Large
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.
Ilana Platt Representative At Large
Ilana Platt has been a member of Kol Zimrah since 2000. She loves to sing. She has served on the Kol Zimrah board over the years representing the alto section and feels a warm connection to the making of Jewish music as a choir.
Bob Benton Tenor Section Leader
Bob is a founding member of Kol Zimrah. He served as president of Lakeside Congregation, and is now a member of the Makom Solel Lakeside choir.
Wendy Rhodes Alto Section Leader
Wendy has been a member of Kol Zimrah since 2011. She also sings in the Makom Solel Lakeside choir and has performed in community theater and with several Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Biennial choirs. Wendy serves as an officer of the URJ and is a past president of Congregation Solel.
Ted Schaffner Bass Section Leader
Ted has been a member of Kol Zimrah since 2011 and has been singing in choirs since junior high school. Ted also sings with Koleinu, the adult choir at Am Shalom, where he previously served as president.
Laura White Soprano Section Leader
Laura has been a member of Kol Zimrah for 20 years and has served as Music Librarian for 10. She is a member of the North Shore Congregation Israel choir and plays the flute.
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.
Jeff Arnold Vice President and Bass Section Leader
Jeff is a founding member of Kol Zimrah and has been on the Board of Directors for 15 years. He has been singing since the age of 5 (when he made a recording). He has sung in the Am Shalom choir since 1978. Jeff plays piano, guitar, trumpet, and French horn, and he has performed in community theater musicals for over 20 years.
Linda Block Secretary and Soprano Section Leader
Linda is a founding member of Kol Zimrah and has been on the Board of Directors for many years. Linda has a strong sense of community and lives for quality Jewish music. She also serves as resident cantorial soloist in the Northern Chicago suburbs.
Diane Arnold Treasurer and Alto Section Leader
Diane has been a member of Kol Zimrah since 2004 and is a proud member of its Board of Directors for 10 years. She has sung in the Am Shalom choir since 1989 and was involved in community musical theater for 20 years.
Jessica Amend Representative At Large
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.
Ilana Platt Representative At Large
Ilana Platt has been a member of Kol Zimrah since 2000. She loves to sing. She has served on the Kol Zimrah board over the years representing the alto section and feels a warm connection to the making of Jewish music as a choir.
Bob Benton Tenor Section Leader
Bob is a founding member of Kol Zimrah. He served as president of Lakeside Congregation, and is now a member of the Makom Solel Lakeside choir.
Wendy Rhodes Alto Section Leader
Wendy has been a member of Kol Zimrah since 2011. She also sings in the Makom Solel Lakeside choir and has performed in community theater and with several Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Biennial choirs. Wendy serves as an officer of the URJ and is a past president of Congregation Solel.
Ted Schaffner Bass Section Leader
Ted has been a member of Kol Zimrah since 2011 and has been singing in choirs since junior high school. Ted also sings with Koleinu, the adult choir at Am Shalom, where he previously served as president.
Laura White Soprano Section Leader
Laura has been a member of Kol Zimrah for 20 years and has served as Music Librarian for 10. She is a member of the North Shore Congregation Israel choir and plays the flute.