jeffrey rips, executive director

Jeffrey’s main professional goal has always been, and continues to be, to build community while enhancing the lives of those around him. He has accomplished this through his over 35 years of working in the Jewish community. Jeffrey’s career in Jewish communal service began in resident camping and then to several years leading JCCs Youth, Teen, and Camp programs. He also served as a Hillel Executive Director for 13 years, and prior to joining Temple Akiba, worked at the Alpert Jewish Community Center in Long Beach for over 12 years, with 7+ of those years as the Executive Director.

Jeffrey has always been community minded. Through the years he has coached countless youth teams, served on many youth sports boards, participated in scouting commissions, and spent 6 years on the Rossmoor Community Services District Board.

The only thing Jeffrey loves more than building Jewish Community is his family. Jeffrey met his wife Lauren, a first grade public school teacher, while they were both working at a JCC day camp, and they have three children. Their daughter Ellie recently graduated from CSULB, and is in her 2nd year working at Houston Hillel, and is beginning her own journey of building community. Jeffrey and Lauren also have twin sons. Joshua is in his third year at ASU’s Barrett Honors College, is studying finance. Jacob, who is one of only 10 freshman selected as a Jacobs Scholar for the Jacobs School of Engineering at UCSD, is studying structural engineering and is also in his third year.

Jeffrey grew up a Dodger fan, but is now an avid Angels baseball fan. He still strongly roots for the Dodgers when they are not playing his beloved Angels. Jeffrey also enjoys going to theater, hiking in Yosemite, traveling, playing games at family game nights, watching a good movie, and is known by his co-workers, family, and friends as a pun-master (the jury is still out if that is a good thing).

Randee Bishoff, Director of Education

Randee has been involved in Jewish education for as long as she can remember, from her education as a student at Temple Emanuel Day School, to her involvement in youth programs and BBYO. Randee has an M.A. in secular education as well as an additional M.A. in Jewish Education from HUC. Along with her valuable classroom teaching background she brings experience in programming and innovative teaching methods. Randee has a background in administration and has been a member of the Temple Akiba Faculty beginning in the classroom and moving around all the way to her current position as Director of Education. Randee brings her love of Judaism that she has grown over the years into the classrooms of the Akiba students through sharing her rich knowledge about customs, traditions and culture. Randee shares this love of Judaism with her husband, Scott, and her two children Benjamin and Sarah for whom Temple Akiba is known as home.

kathryn vischjager, Program Director

Kathryn Vischjager came to Temple Akiba with an extensive background in Jewish education and communal work.  Kathryn grew up actively involved in the reform movement, attending NFTY youth group programs, camps and leadership development.  Kathryn spent several months living in Israel as a teen, and upon returning, it became very natural to develop a career in service to the Jewish people.  Kathryn achieved her undergraduate degree in Judaic Studies, with a minor in fine arts, all while teaching religious school and putting in the time to intern with religious school administration locally in Eugene, Oregon.  Eventually, upon her professional mentor's advice, she relocated to Los Angeles to earn a master's degree in Jewish Education from the University of Judaism and an additional undergraduate degree in Hebrew Literature. Kathryn spent a number of years as the Director of Informal Education at Temple Judea in Encino (overseeing experiential and "out of the box" educational programming, high school programming, and more) before spreading her wings to gain new insight and experience in Jewish communal work.  Kathryn gained that new experience and insight by lending her expertise to programs with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles as well as with Beit T'Shuvah, a Jewish rehab program. Currently, Kathryn is able to weave all of her experience with Jewish education and communal work into her role as Program Director at Temple Akiba.  Whether it is a holiday, a social opportunity, a cultural event, a speaker, a concert, or something else - Jewish life is ripe for moments of joy, learning, connection, and more - and Kathryn seeks to imbue Akiba's programming with all of it.  

Leah Penso, Director of Resident Camp and Youth Programs

Leah grew up at Temple Akiba and has been working with Akiba youth since 2006 through Akiba High, Resident Camp, and TASTY – Akiba’s 4th-12th grade youth group. Leah loves to bring her passion for children and creative programming into all areas of Akiba. Leah holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Child Development and a Masters degree in Counseling with a license in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Robyn Altman, Director of Day camp

Robyn has been working with the youth at Temple Akiba since 2006. She has taught Religious School for many years and attended day camp and overnight camp for most of her life. Combining her experiences as events manager along with her love for Judaism makes running Temple Akiba's Day Camp a brilliant fit!!

Michael rothbart, Director of music

Michael was born and raised in Los Angeles and grew up at Leo Baeck Temple, where his early exposure to traditional and contemporary Jewish music inspired him to teach himself guitar, in addition to already playing piano. He went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree in Choral Music Education and teaching credential from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach. In addition to being the Music Director here at Temple Akiba, Michael currently works full time as a middle school music teacher at Westside Neighborhood School in Los Angeles He has served in Jewish music as a pianist, conductor, choral singer, and songleader at synagogues throughout Southern California. He has also worked as a music director and pianist for multiple youth theater organizations in the LA area.