Our Executive Committee

Co President - Lawrence Weinstein

Lawrence (Larry) Weinstein, President, has served Temple Emanuel for many years as Board member, Treasurer, and Men's Club President. He is Eminent Scholar and University Professor of Physics at Old Dominion University and received the Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award in 2009.   

Larry is the author of "Guesstimation: Solving the world's problems on the back of a cocktail napkin" (with John Adam) and "Guesstimation 2.0:  Solving today's problems on the back of napkin" (soon to be a major motion picture), both published by Princeton University Press.  He also created "nuclear Physics Explained", a video course offered by The Great Courses.  

In his spare time, he square dances, rows, and smashes atoms at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

Co President & 1st VP - Jordan Asher

Jordan and his wife Jody Mattison moved to Virginia Beach in 2018 and immediately felt at home at Temple Emanuel. They have two grown children. Jordan is presently the Chief Physician Executive at Sentara Healthcare and serves on multiple community boards. He was a member of the board at West End Synagogue in Nashville, TN and is very excited for what the future holds.

2nd VP - Sarah Davis

Dr. Sarah Davis is a teacher, author, and business owner.  She has a doctorate in education, and has been a member of Temple Emanuel for five years.  A New England native, she's mom to four children, ages 10-2.  She is a new member of the board this year.

3rd VP & Treasurer - Gary Tabakin

Gary is a native of Norfolk and moved to Virginia Beach in 1979.  He has been connected to the Jewish community in various roles throughout his life.  Gary is a two-time past President of Temple Emanuel.  He is also President of Meyers & Tabakin Furniture (his second job!).  In addition, Gary is also a member of the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.  He serves as the Chair of the International Dues Committee.

Secretary - Barbara Fried

Barb Fried and her family joined Temple Emanuel in 1981, when they returned from four years in Hawaii, and just as her two daughters were approaching Bat Mitzvah ages.  "We joined then, and remain members, because we love the small, intimate TE family."

Barb has been a member of the Board of Directors, on and off, for over 25 years, which makes her a Chai (lifetime) Board member.  She has served in several capacities including Membership Chair, Search Committee Co-chair, Kitchen Krew Co-Chair, Accounts Payable person and Temple Secretary.  As the current Temple Secretary, she works closely with the Office manager as well as the other members of the Executive Committee and the Board of directors. Barb and her husband continue their membership, and continue to volunteer for Temple Emanuel, "because of the warmth and compassion, as well as the humor and amazing leadership. In a nutshell, it’s fun to work with nice people!"