Rabbi David Spey
Temple Bat Yam welcomed Rabbi David A. Spey in July 2010, bringing a wealth of new experiences and insights to the Temple’s vibrant congregation. Prior to joining the Bat Yam family, Rabbi Spey served seven years on the bima of Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, Md. His previous experience includes serving as a rabbinic intern for Central Synagogue in New York City; at Temple Emanuel in Worcester, Mass.; and at Temple Beth Tikva in Wayne, N.J.
Rabbi Spey has taught and advised synagogue youth groups in a variety of synagogues in the New York metropolitan area. He was a staff member of the Joint Commission on Social Action at the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in New York City, served as a chaplain at the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale in the Bronx, and a rabbinic resident at the Community Synagogue in Rye, N.Y. He also was a member of the Mid-Atlantic Council of the Union for Reform Judaism, Camp Harlam Advisory Group and the Washington Board of Rabbis.
Rabbi Spey received his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City in 2003 and his undergraduate degree in Religion from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. in 1989. During the hiatus in his studies, he explored careers in architecture, sailing and medical research.
Rabbi Spey, his wife Dara and their children Quin (Quintin) and Ani (Eliana), are happy to be part of Temple Bat Yam’s vibrant community and make Fort Lauderdale their home.
Temple Board of Trustees 2023/2024
Officers
Barry N. Solomon, President
Samuel L. Jacobs, MD, Vice President
Carey Fischer, Vice-President/General Counsel
Arnold Pittler, Executive Vice President
Terri Voss, Secretary
Henry Cairo, Treasurer
Melissa Comras, Past President
Jerome Baer
Robert Baker
Edward Boreth
Susan Cooper
Edward Coopersmith
Dory Green
Kathalyn Haimo
Kerri Harrell
Lyn Saberg
David Simon
Ashley Solomon
Joan Sternberg
Sean Thompson
Sheba Munn Thompson
Len Weiselberg
David Yalen
Cantor Wendy Autenrieth, D.M., Cantor Emerita
Cantor Wendy Autenrieth brings music to Temple Bat Yam everyday, from her impressive Cantorial leadership at services and observances to her guidance of the Temple’s choir and intergenerational band, Dor L’Dor, and as an educator at the religious school.
Cantor Wendy, as she affectionately is called by many Congregants, brings diverse music organizations to the Temple, such as Jewish college a capella groups, the Florida Youth Orchestra and other talented performers. She annually spearheads the Temple’s Empty Bowls Dinner benefiting the Cooperative Feeding Program and also volunteers monthly as a food delivery driver for the organization. Her community involvement includes visiting residents at Willow- wood Retirement Community, helping to lead an Interfaith Thanksgiving service and participating in the Broward County AIDS Seder.
Cantor Autenrieth graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in music therapy. In 1987 she received a Masters Degree in sacred music from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion School of Sacred Music in New York. She is a member of the American Conference of Cantors has served on its board of directors. Prior to joining TBY in 2001 she served congregations in Worcester, Mass., and New Orleans, La.
Cantor Autenrieth and her husband Bruce have been married for 36 years and have two children and three grandchildren. They look forward to welcoming their fourth grandchild this year.
Rabbi Lewis Littman z"l, Founding Rabbi
Rabbi Lewis C. Littman joined Temple Bat Yam in 1986. A superb teacher and spiritual leader, Rabbi Littman’s perspective on Judaism reflects his strong commitment to Tikkun Olam, or Repairing the World. In addition, his love of Jewish music and theater is reflected in the central role music plays in Temple services, observances and events.
The National Conference for Community and Justice recognized Rabbi Littman’s work on behalf of the Jewish community and the community-at-large with the 2002 “Silver Medallion Award” for community service. Rabbi Littman currently chairs the Community Relations Council of Imperial Point Hospital, and has served on the Board of the “Missions of Mercy” at nearby Holy Cross Hospital.
Over the years, he has served as president of the Broward Board of Rabbis; Chairman of the Clergy Dialogue Group of the National Conference on Community and Justice (NCCJ); and on regional boards of directors of Seafarer’s House, the Anti-Defamation League, the Central Agency for Jewish Education and the Jewish Federation.
A native of Trenton, N.J., Rabbi Littman graduated from Rutgers University and then earned a Master of Arts degree. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York in 1967. Following ordination, he served congregations in Denver, Colo.; Erie, Pa.; and Rockville Centre, N.Y. From 1982 through 1986 he was Director of the Southeast Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, based in Miami.
In 1992 the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion awarded Rabbi Littman the degree of Doctor of Divinity in recognition of 25 years of service in the rabbinate. Rabbi Littman and his wife, Dr. Marlyn Kemper Littman, a professor at Nova Southeastern University, are the parents of six children and five grandchildren.