Leadership - Congregation Gates of Prayer

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Gates Leadership

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Rabbis
Cantorial Soloist
Executive Director
Temple Educator
Gates Preschool
Staff
Board Leadership

Rabbis

Senior Rabbi David Gerber

rabbi@gatesofprayer.org

Rabbi David Gerber has served as the senior rabbi of Congregation Gates of Prayer since 2018. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH before serving as an assistant/associate rabbi at Congregation Beth Or in the Philadelphia suburbs. Rabbi Gerber is an alumnus of Indiana University and was born and raised in St. Louis, MO.

Currently, Rabbi Gerber serves as the president of the New Orleans Clergy Council. He sits on the board of Longue Vue Gardens as well as the East Jefferson Interfaith Council. He is a regular contributor and collaborator to the National World War II Museum as well as Krewe du Jieux. He teaches an introductory Judaism class at Loyola University. He is on the Rabbinic Council of Zioness and StandWithUs, and is on the steering committee of Re-Charging Reform Judaism. He is also the self-proclaimed “Official Rabbi of the New Orleans Saints.”

Rabbi Gerber specializes in innovative programming and engagement. Under his tenure, our congregation has launched Gatesfest, Metairie’s premier music and arts festival. We have invested over one million dollars into our youth initiative to ensure our students can afford Jewish Summer Camp. In addition to his passion for Zionism, Rabbi Gerber often teaches about Mussar, Talmud, and all things supernatural. You can also find him speaking at local high schools and colleges about combating antisemitism.

If you are interested in meeting with Rabbi Gerber, please contact the synagogue.

Rabbi Emeritus Robert H. Loewy

rabbiL@gatesofprayer.org

Rabbi Bob Loewy is the Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Gates of Prayer. He assumed that position in July of 2018 after serving as our Rabbi since August of 1984. Prior to that, he was the Assistant and then Associate Rabbi of Congregation Emanu El in Houston, Texas for seven years.

Rabbi Loewy is a native of Hempstead, N.Y. He received his B.A. degree from Cornell University in 1972, and earned his Master of Hebrew Letters in 1975, Ordination as Rabbi in 1977 and Doctor of Divinity in 2022 from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. During his 34-year tenure as Senior Rabbi, he served the congregation with distinction,
expanding programs for all ages, developing innovative and inspiring worship experiences, and particularly leading the congregation through the trauma of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

He was a leader in the larger community as a founder of both the Community Jewish Day School and Louisiana Community Mikvah, along with holding positions in a variety of Jewish and non-Jewish organizations locally and national. In 2023, he moved from Metairie to Houston, TX, but continues to be linked to Congregation Gates of Prayer and the New Orleans Jewish community.

He remains Jewishly active through his work with the CCAR Ethics Committee, involvement with the Henry S. Jacobs Camp, and delights in his opportunities to return to the congregation. He and his wife, Lynn, now spend much of their time traveling and being with their children and grandchildren: Karen Loewy (David Widzer)- Judah and Elisheva; David
Loewy; Sara Loewy (Paul Belin)- Brooke and Justin; Mica Loewy (Jasjit Singh)- Noa and Eden.

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Cantorial Soloist

Jordan Lawrence

jordan@gatesofprayer.org

Jordan Lawrence is originally from Bergen County, NJ, blessed with a very strong Jewish upbringing, having attended Jewish day school, which instilled in her a very important set of Jewish values. Since her time as a student at Tulane University, she has decided to make New Orleans a home. Jordan graduated in 2019 with a dual degree, with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, a B.A. in Sociology and minored in Jewish Studies. At Tulane, she founded the NJBeats and acted as the President and Music Director during her time in the group.

Jordan's biggest passions in life are music, Judaism and making others happy and laugh. She puts an emphasis on making an impact on every community of which she is a part. She spent fourteen years a part of the Zionist youth movement Young Judaea. While working at CYJ Sprout Lake, she was the Israeli dance specialist, and ended up running the performing arts program.

Jordan has such a strong love for working with children. Her youthful spirit helps her connect with children of all ages and provide a contagious energy that promotes others to want to get involved and to want to be themselves. She prides herself on her ability to adapt her teaching and leading styles to any group of people and use her quick wit to understand the in-the-moment wants and needs of the people that she is privileged to work with. Jordan's biggest Jewish singer inspirations are Debbie Friedman (of course) and Dan Nichols, for whom she has had the honor of watching the magic in action year after year at camp.

Jordan wears a lot of hats at Gates of Prayer. Besides bringing the ruach to services, she also runs Tribe, our young adult outreach program, trains B’nai Mitzvah students, directs the choir, teaches music to the children of the Gates Preschool and J-FLEx, creates fun and meaningful programming for the whole congregation, and much more!

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Executive Director

Jen Merryman

jen@gatesofprayer.org

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Temple Educator

Philip A. Gaethe, RJE

educator@gatesofprayer.org

Philip Gaethe has been the Educator at Gates of Prayer since 1996. Prior to that, he was a teacher in the Jefferson Parish Public System as well as Gates of Prayer and Communal Hebrew Schools. Phil is a native of New Orleans, LA., where received his B.A. degree from the University of New Orleans and earned a Master of Science Degree in Judaic Education from Spertus College in Chicago.

In 2005 Phil was awarded the designation of R.J.E. (Reform Jewish Educator) by the Reform Jewish Educator Title Granting Commission and in the summer of 2016, the Rabbi Nathaniel Share Religious School of Congregation Gates of Prayer , AKA J-FLEx, was awarded Accreditation by the Association of Reform Jewish Educators.

In 2020 Phil received Marion B. Steeg Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. This award highlights the value of Jewish education in its many varieties in the Greater new Orleans Community.

In addition to Phil's duties as head of our Religious and Hebrew Schools, Phil tutors some of our B'nai Mitzvah students, created and helps maintain the Gates of Prayer Website, teaches Adult Hebrew and assists the CGoP clergy team by supervising the Livestream worship.

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Gates Preschool, Director

Mary DeLucca

mary@gatesofprayer.org

I am honored to serve as the Interim Director of Gates Preschool and to contribute to its enduring legacy of excellence. With a strong academic foundation from Louisiana State University—where I earned a major in Anthropology and minors in Italian and Philosophy—my career has been dedicated to nurturing young learners. Over the past decade, I have immersed myself in early childhood education, including three years as a Behavioral Therapist specializing in ABA therapy for children with autism.

Since joining Gates in 2021—when our infant center began with just one class—I have been privileged to witness and contribute to our remarkable growth. Today, we offer a vibrant learning environment across all classrooms, from Infant to Pre-K, each enriched by a thoughtfully crafted curriculum. Our play-based learning approach is seamlessly integrated with principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), allowing us to support each child’s development with structure, adaptability, and joy. ABA techniques empower our educators to reinforce positive behaviors, build essential skills, and foster a lifelong love for learning, creating a foundation for academic and personal success.

At Gates Preschool, we deeply value the integration of Jewish education within our curriculum. We believe that fostering a sense of cultural and spiritual identity is crucial for the holistic development of our students. Through traditions, stories, and values, we create a warm and inclusive atmosphere that celebrates both Jewish and non-Jewish students alike. Our curriculum is designed not only to meet developmental milestones but also to instill a sense of community, empathy, and respect for diversity.

It is a privilege to support Gates’ continued success, nurturing an enriching and inclusive learning environment that honors our traditions while embracing innovative educational practices. I am truly excited to be part of this wonderful community and look forward to connecting with each of you as we continue this journey together!

Gates Preschool Assistant Director/Dir. Preschool Operations

Johnette Stansbury

Johnette@gatesofprayer.org

I'm honored to continue as Assistant Director at Gates Preschool. I look forward to helping our school grow to its potential. I came to Gates as a Teachers Assistant in 2002 and have filled many positions since, such as 2yr old Lead Teacher, Pre-K3 Lead Teacher, Summer Camp Director and now Assistant Director. I love working with the children and families of Gates Preschool.

Away from school, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 27 years and our four granddaughters.