BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — In an oddly timed announcement just hours before the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover, Temple Beth El of Boca Raton announced through an email blast the pending departure of Assistant Rabbi Pam Mandel and Executive Director Jan Catalfumo.
According to the email co-signed by Senior Rabbi Dan Levin and Temple President Patty Beck:
“Rabbi Mandel will be relocating this summer to Chicago with her husband Brad and Sadie so that Brad can pursue a terrific career opportunity. As much as we will miss Rabbi Mandel and her special spirit, we send her, Brad, and Sadie our prayers for God’s blessings in their new endeavors.”
There was no reason for departure given for Jan Catalfumo, who has served as executive director for seven years.
For seven years, Jan Catalfumo has been a tireless and selfless servant to Temple Beth El, bringing a sense of empathy and humanity to the difficult decisions that we had to make. During her tenure, Temple Beth El concluded the first two phases of our Building Tomorrow Today campaign, as she helped guide us through the renovations of the Cohen Atrium and Singer Sanctuary, as well as the construction of the Beck Family Campus.
Mandel and Catalfumo are the latest high profile departures from the Temple. The start-up “early childhood center’s” first executive director, Ann Pardes, departed within the past twelve months after a short time in that leadership position.
