2021 Board of Trustees

Executive Committee and Members at Large are voting members of the Board.

Bruce Pomer - President
Bruce's career spans 42 years in the government and non-profit sector at the local, state and national levels. He spent 12 years at the California State Department of Health where he reached the career executive level at the age of 29. At the Department of Health he held senior positions in policy development and administration directing programs with as many as 400 employees. During this time period he was Chief Departments Office of External Affairs and Chief of the Medi-Cal Field Services program. He left state service to become Director of Governmental Affairs of the Health Officers Association of California (HOAC) where he was responsible for HOAC's legislative advocacy and public relations program.

Bob Dresser - Vice-President
Bob Dresser served as the Governor-appointed Chair of the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB) for 8 years. Prior to his appointment, he served as Enforcement Counsel for the Contractors State Licensing Board; as General Counsel to the Labor and Workforce Development Agency and previously served as Chief Counsel (and former Interim Director) to the Department of Information Technology. Other positions have been as an Administrative Law Judge; Agricultural Labor Relations Board Senior Board Counsel III, Supervising Attorney, Regional Director, and Staff Counsel. Prior to practicing law, Bob served as a VISTA lawyer in Austin, Texas and was instrumental in the start of the Texas Rural Legal Aid program. He is a graduate of Stanford Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College.

Don Gilbert - Vice-President
Don Gilbert and his wife, Shira, have lived in Sacramento since 1993. Don is a native of San Francisco. After practicing law for eight years, Don has been an Legislative Advocate (lobbyist) for almost 25 years. Don served on the Board of Shalom School for many years, including three years as President. He was very involved in the development of the “new” campus at Mosaic Law. Don chairs the Sacramento Council of AIPAC and sits on the AIPAC National Council. Don and Shira are members of Mosaic Law Congregation.

David Poisner - Secretary
David has been on the Federation board for 5 years, and has previously served on the Board of Directors at both Mosaic Law Congregation and Temple Or Rishon. David moved to Sacramento in 1986 and worked for 30 years as an engineer at Intel Corporation. He "retired" and then started as an Encore Fellow at the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. David also created and taught several new PJ Our Way technology classes and presented them at the 2018 National PJ Library Conference. In 2018, David "unretired" and is now Director of Engineering for Certus Criticial Care, Inc, a startup using robotics and artificial intelligence to develop precision medicine solutions for severely ill and injured patients. David and his wife Linda (a Sacramento native) enjoy spending time with their 3 wonderful children.

Pam Herman - Interim Treasurer

Deborah Hoffman Gonzalez - Immediate Past President
Deborah is a speech pathologist working with both infants and adults in various medical settings. Before joining the Federation Board she served as Co-Chair (and Co-Founder) of Federation’s Committee on Inclusion and Disabilities. She is a Past President of Mosaic Law Congregation, and is its current Youth Commission Chair and occasional B’nai Mitzvah tutor. Deborah also serves on the Camp Ramah of Northern California Board of Trustees. She grew up in Northern California, attending Camp Arazim and participating in United Synagogue Youth.

Sharon Rogoff - JCRC Chair

Sharon and her husband, Michael, moved to the Sacramento area in 2003 from San Diego. After retiring from the healthcare field, she became involved in the local community. From 2014 to 2019 Sharon was on the board of Sacramento ACT (Sacramento Area Congregations Together), a non-profit organization focused on faith-based community organizing. She currently serves as a Board of Trustee at Congregation B’nai Israel, as well as holding the position of co-president of Women of B’nai Israel, the temple’s sisterhood. In addition to being members at Congregation B’nai Israel, she and her husband are enjoying membership at Temple Or Rishon. Sharon was born and raised in San Jose and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of California, San Diego.

Members at Large

Cliff Berg
Mr. Berg is President of Governmental Advocates. He joined Governmental Advocates in 1995 after spending 40 years in state government service, the last 22 of which were spent working for the California State Senate. As the senior partner in the firm, Mr. Berg has provided advocacy strategy to a wide variety of corporate, non-profit and association clients. His areas of expertise include taxation, internet/ technology, financial products and services, telecommunications, health care and local government. Mr. Berg also specializes on developing business opportunities for corporate clients with the state, and has also worked extensively on taxation issues. Mr. Berg is particularly experienced in the state budget process and has worked closely with a wide variety of nonprofit clients seeking state funding. Immediately prior to joining Governmental Advocates, Mr. Berg served 11 years as Executive Officer of the Senate. As Executive Officer, Mr. Berg was responsible for the administration of the State Senate and worked directly for two successive President Pro Tempores, Senator David Roberti and Senator Bill Lockyer. Due to this experience, Mr. Berg brings the firm’s clients a unique perspective on the legislative and governmental process and insights into the politics of policy making in California. He is a member of the California State Bar and a graduate of McGeorge School of Law. He has his B.A. from Occidental College in Los Angeles. Active in the Sacramento Jewish community, Mr. Berg is currently on the Board of the Sacramento Jewish Federation and is active in a wide variety of civic organizations. Mr. Berg has also served as a volunteer Judge Pro Tempore in the Sacramento Small Claims Court. He is married to his wife Debra and has three children.

Barry Broad
Barry Broad has been active for many years in Sacramento's Jewish community. He has served as both the President of the Federation and the Chairperson of the Jewish Community Relations Council. He has also served as a Board Member of Jewish Labor Committee and is a member of AIPAC. Barry is an attorney, who worked for many years on behalf of organized labor. After retiring from private practice in 2018, he was appointed by Governor Gavin Newson to serve as a member of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board. He is also the author of three novels. He is married to Dr. My Huynh and is the father of four children.

Mike Dean
Mike is a retired attorney whose practice primarily revolved around municipal law, land use, and energy law, representing various cities, counties and public power agencies. While originally a Brooklyn NY expatriate, Mike was largely raised in Los Angeles until leaving home to attend UCB. He has lived in the Central Valley since law school and has long been an active member of the Sacramento Jewish community. His family have been members of Temple Or Rishon almost since its founding, serving TOR in various capacities. Both Mike and his wife Lynn are former presidents of the synagogue. Mike has also served on the board of and is a former president of the Jewish Community Foundation of the West, as well as on the board of Shalom School where both of his and Lynn's children were students. Mike enjoys cooking, reading, and taking classes that involve no homework or tests. When not quarantined, Mike enjoys traveling all over the world and eating out at local area restaurants.

Christopher Drouin
I became involved in the Jewish community through my wife who is an active, observant member of the Jewish community. Ever since we moved to Sacramento in 1989, we have been involved in Jewish activities and observance at home, at our congregation and in the community. We have raised our son to be knowledgeable and active in his own Judaism. Professionally, I worked for over forty years in public and private education for children with disabilities and their families. Most recently, I retired after 30 years working for the California Department of Education as a trainer, group facilitator, author, program developer, state data manager, and program administrator. My last position was as the Director of the Special Education Division, the second largest division in the department. I have experience working across government agencies and in the legislature on behalf of the department. As a part of my work, I helped to establish a statewide system of family support agencies (Family Empowerment Centers) mostly staffed with volunteer parents. And I oversaw the transition of mental health services for children with disabilities from County Mental Health Agencies to local public school districts. I have worked extensively building coalitions across state and local agencies to expand and improve services to children and their families in health, mental health, education and social services. Over a period of years, I have been involved in the Jewish community as a parent at the Shalom School, as a member of Congregation Beth Shalom and as a volunteer supporting community and congregational activities. I think my first contacts with the Federation came with fund raising and as a donor to the annual campaign. I have participated in Federation-sponsored community events. Over time I came to know Federation staff and board members. Later I became more active in a volunteer capacity, delivering Kosher Food, working on the Jewish Film Festival and special tasks requested by Federation staff and board members. Most recently, I have been participating on the Advisory Committee of the Schwab Rosenhouse Memorial Scholarship Foundation. I have a number of work skills that may be useful to the work of the Federation - from addressing and stuffing envelopes to organizing and analyzing data. I have some experience with writing proposals and with public speaking. Lastly, I think I bring a perspective that will encourage involvement and support for mixed families.

Phil Fine
Phil Fine has over 30 years of experience in IT software and services starting in space operations, space defense operations and satellite management, and is currently working for an IT software cooperative delivering Enterprise software to rural communications service providers. Phil was previously a member of the Sacramento Federation board and has returned to play a role in campaign fund raising. In addition, he has supported other Jewish and pro-Israel organization such as AIPAC and Friends of the IDF, where he has experience with fundraising.

Lindie Henderson
Lindie moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Sacramento in 1990. She has been involved in Federations since 1970. In Sacramento she co-founded Pomegranate Division and just completed two years as Campaign Chair. She served on the Congregation B’nai Israel board for 12 years, three as Administration VP and is past president and member of Women of B’nai Israel. She served on the Women of Reform Judaism Board for 18 years and was secretary for two terms, She is an active Past President of Pacific District/Women of Reform Judaism. and is a member of World Union for Progressive Judaism N. American Advisory Board, a life member of National Council of Jewish Women, and served as Sacramento Section President and board member. Lindie and her husband, Ken, operated a wine distribution business serving US Foreign Service locations for 12 years. She has a BA in Social Work/Child Development & Family Relations from Syracuse University and a MSW from Indiana University. She has post graduate training in mediation, conflict resolution/management, non profit and economic development, grant writing, and mindfulness.

Karen Keys
I served on the Sacramento JCRC board for the past four years as the Temple Or Rishon representative. I am an artist and represented at the Sutter Street Artist Gallery in Old Town Folsom. I teach watercolor from my home studio in Granite Bay. I have three children and 6 1/2 grandchildren. Two families live in the Sacramento area and the other family lives in Big Sky, Montana. I am dedicated to Israel and served in the IDF four summers in a row as a volunteer. I am dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism and to bringing our Jewish community together. I look forward to serving on the Federation board.

Julie Klein
Julie Bernstein Klein is a development professional at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis. Her work there is focused on donor and alumni engagement and stewardship. She has previously held positions at a number of regional and national Jewish organizations including Lehrhaus Judaica, JFNA's Israel Action Network and the San Francisco based JCRC. Julie is a proud native San Franciscan who currently resides in Davis with her family

Robb Layne
Robb Layne is the Senior Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies.  Prior to his current role, he spent over a decade working in the California State Senate and Assembly serving as Legislative and Committee Staff. Robb has standing relationships within the Legislature, state departments, and past and current administrations where he is known for his integrity and a proven legislative track record. Before his Senate experience, Robb was recruited to work at Partnership Health Plan of California, where he was a part of the executive team and responsible for legislation (State and Federal), legal, compliance, communications, and grievances. Besides his health plan experience, he also held a leadership role at the County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA). Robb has extensive experience sitting on local boards including the Sacramento LGBT Community Center and Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Robb is an open and proud advocate for foster care and lives in Sacramento with his husband Marc, and their son Tyler. He spends his spare time walking their dog Riley and enjoying outdoor sports like surfing, snowboarding, and running.  

Marion Leff, M.D.
Marion Leff is a retired family physician with long-standing commitment to the Sacramento Jewish community — from participating in young leadership decades ago as well as the former Jewish Women’s Business and Professional group, past Einstein board director and now a director for the Trust Fund for the Jewish Elderly in addition to our Federation where her passion is Jewish Family Services. "The opportunity to serve the Jewish community in various ways is a gift for which I receive much in return and am grateful."

Madeline Rubenstein
Madeline Rubenstein has dedicated much of her time with Jewish organizations such as Jewish Family Service in Walnut Creek, Miami and Sacramento. She has been involved in USY, Hadassah, Salaam Shalom, Hospice by the Bay, Loaves and Fishes and Mustard Seed School and Mosaic Law Congregation. She served on the federation board in Miami for Young Leadership and was a paid professional for the women’s division and young leadership in 1992-1994. Madeline served on the board of the Sacramento Federation in 1994 and was honored to begin work again in 2018 to the present .

Dan Weitzman
Dan Weitzman has been an activist in the California Democratic Party since his days as an undergraduate at California State University Sacramento, of which he is a proud alumnus.  For the past twenty-seven years, his energy and enthusiasm have been focused on political fundraising, event planning and neighborhood activism.  Dan served as Finance Director for the California Assembly Democrats for sixteen years. In May of 2017, Dan was elected by the Democratic State Central Committee to be Controller of the California Democratic Party. Currently, he is the owner of Daniel C. Weitzman Consulting, a firm which specializes in raising funds to help elect Democrats across the state. Dan has been instrumental in assisting former Assembly Speakers John A. Pérez, Karen Bass, Fabian Núñez and Robert Hertzberg as well as Former Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer, Senate President pro-Tempore Emeritus’ Darrell Steinberg and Kevin de Leon. In the past, Dan served as a Regional Director of the California Democratic Party (CDP) and was the youngest ever elected to that office. He currently serves as a Lead Co-Chair of the CDP Finance Committee and has held that post since 2005. Weitzman is a seasoned veteran of California State Politics, participating in more than three dozen political campaigns ranging from the 1988 Dukakis for President and the 1990 Feinstein for Governor Efforts to the successful Mike Machado “Beat the Recall” campaign in 1995.  More recently, he has raised funds for the successful campaigns of Miguel Santiago for Assembly District 53, Mike Gatto for Assembly District 43, Jimmy Gomez for Assembly District 51, Bob Hertzberg for the 18th Senate District & Ricardo Lara for Insurance Commissioner 2018. On the local level, Weitzman recently served as the Finance Chair for the Darrell Steinberg for Mayor of Sacramento 2016  and 2020 Campaigns. Even though Dan Weitzman has an excellent track record of re-electing state legislators, he has always remained dedicated to helping elect exemplary Democrats, which is why he has played a key role in raising funds for the 2020 campaigns of DAVE CORTESE for SENATE  and JOSH NEWMAN for SENATE.  Throughout the years, Dan has also made ballot measure campaigns a priority by acting as an integral part of the 2008 Term Limits Reform Act, Proposition 63 , The Mental Health Services Act and Proposition 58, the Bilingual education act. He has also served a campaign consultant to many local ballot measures, Like Measure U in 2018 and Measure A in 2020. Capitol Weekly has listed Dan to their Top 100 list of California’s most influential political players multiple times and he continues to be a very well-known and sought-after consultant. Dan has also been listed by Campaigns and Elections Magazine as one of the “Top 50 people in California Politics.” Aside from his career in politics, Dan has been a tireless volunteer for political and community organizations.  While at CSU Sacramento, Dan was a founding member of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity where he held several elected positions, including President. He also was the founding President of the Sacramento State Young Democrats from 1989 to 1991 and served as President of the Northern Section of the California Young Democrats (CYD) from 1991 to 1993.  Additionally, Dan acted as CYD’s National Committeeman from 1993 to 1994 and State Treasurer for two terms from 1995 to 1997.  He also served as a National Convention Delegate for the Young Democrats of America three times. Weitzman continues to dedicate his free time to encourage high school and college students to be involved with public service.  In fall 2015, he was inducted into the CYD Hall of Fame. In addition to inspiring youth to get involved, Dan is central in several other political organizations. He has served on the Executive Board Member of the Sacramento County Democratic Party, and he is also the Finance Chair on the Executive Committee of the Harry S. Truman Club. Dan was also a founding member of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento and is proud that he and his wife were the first straight couple to take part in the group. For his many years of dedication and commitment, Dan has received many awards including Honorable Mention for the John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Outstanding Public Service. For years, Dan has been active in a myriad of local community organizations in Sacramento.  He has served as Board Member, Vice President and President of the Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association (TPNA). Notably from his time with TPNA, Dan organized the District 6 Neighborhood Leaders Coalition which held a Mayoral Forum that connected mayoral candidates with local neighbors in South Sacramento.  He was appointed by then-Sacramento Council Members Steinberg and Jones to sit on the Sacramento Campaign Finance Reform Commission. He currently serves on the Planning and Fundraising Committee for Temple B’nai Israel. In addition, Dan has been on the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Theatre Company, a committee member of the Annual Gritts-Off fundraiser in support of the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank and has volunteered for many years as a Christmas day delivery driver for Meals on Wheels. Away from work and politics, Dan is an avid reader, mainly focusing on works that encompass religious or political history.  On the side, Dan enjoys coaching his son’s youth basketball team, playing golf and visiting with his family in Southern California, especially his five nieces.  Weitzman is married to Randi Weitzman, an Executive Director of Robert Half International, and together, the couple has two children: fourteen -year-old, Maximilian Jacob Weitzman, and ten-year-old, Matilda Rose Weitzman. In 2020, they added a two-year-old  French bulldog, MARVIN, to their family.

Caron Nogen Zamansky
Caron is a neuropsychologist working with adults at Mercy General Hospital. She founded the Sacramento Adult Epilepsy Support Group and is a former President of the Head Trauma Support Project. Caron is a member of TDX and Mosaic Law Congregation and has served on the Federation Board since 2019. She worked as a Hillel JCSC Fellow at Penn State and was a participant of Project OTZMA and March of the Living. Caron grew up in Texas where she attended Jewish day school, URJ Greene Family Camp, and was actively involved in BBYO and Texas Oklahoma Federation of Temple Youth. Caron and her husband, Alex, have two young children, Nora and Reece, who attend Shalom School.

Federation Past Presidents

Carol Loew
Barry Broad
Lisa Kaplan
Neil Soskin
Skip Rosenbloom
Dana Edelstein
Ed Rabin
Danny Weiss*
Andy Beran
Brian Landsberg
Bill Slaton
Lynn Dean
Marvin Kamras
Barbara Ansel*
Kenneth Goore
Arlene Pearl
Irv Levine*
Alex Fahn*
Frederic Kahn*
Alan Brodovsky
Oscar Morvai*
Roslyn Levy
Milton Levison*
Jack Brandwein*
Arthur Soltar*
Irving Frankel*
Seymour Lewis*
Felix Warhaftig*
Sy Opper*
Frank Goldstein*
William Belson*
Alvin Landis*
William Berman*

*deceased