Lauren Trexler - Director of Education
Lauren is a product of the Reform Movement — attending URJ Camp Coleman and participating in NFTY (the Reform Jewish Youth Movement). For her undergraduate studies, she attended the College of Charleston in South Carolina where she studied Comparative Religions. Lauren graduated from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2012 at the Los Angeles campus.
She’s worked for nearly a decade in various capacities in Jewish community services. Prior to coming to Akron, Lauren was the educator at Congregation Kol Ami in Vancouver, WA.
She and her husband, Zach, live in Cleveland and enjoy the ease of living in Northeast Ohio.
Kim Williams - Director of Engagement and Administration
Kim Williams became the bookkeeper for Temple Israel in December 2013 and the Director of Engagement and Administration in May 2020. She attended Kent State University and has more than 25 years of experience in various aspects of the financial industry.
Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends and volunteering time with the local youth group. She resides in the Firestone Park neighborhood of Akron and has two sons: Ryan and Ian.
Kylee Burdohan - Communications Coordinator
Kylee Burdohan started at Temple Israel in May 2017. She was born and raised in the Akron area but received a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Point Park University. After graduation, she stayed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she worked in the banking industry.
She moved back to Akron in 2014, where she lives with her rescue dog, Benny who loves coming to the office and greeting visitors.
Lamar Barnes - Maintenance
Lamar was born and raised in Akron and graduated from Buchtel High School where he met his wife of 48 years, Sharon. A few years after high school Lamar went into the Navy where he served for 21 years working on carrier ships like the USS Intrepid and USS Kitty Hawk, crossing the equator half a dozen times and reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. During that time Lamar and Sharon relocated to California and had five children. After retiring from the Navy Lamar was a custodial engineer for a local California school system before moving to Texas to work as a ranch hand. After spending most of their adult lives living in other states Lamar and Sharon decided to make a permanent move back to Akron.
On Lamar’s days off you may find him completing D.I.Y. projects or playing music. He and Sharon enjoy spending time with their extended family, being part of their church community, and cheering on the accomplishments of their 7 grandchildren.
