David Passer

Executive Director David Passer is proud to be Temple Shir Tikva’s first Executive Director and has taken on the Temple’s overall goals as his own: “Meaningful worship experiences; a top-notch education program for learners of all ages; positive and supportive relationships of individual members with our Rabbis and Cantor, education professionals and administrative staff; a broad, significant Tikkun Olam program; robust membership; financial/fiscal stability; and a welcoming and appropriate facility.”  In pursuit of these goals, and to ensure the smooth operation, success and well-being of Temple Shir Tikva, David works closely with Rabbi Gold and the professional team. He also works with the Temple President, the Board of Trustees, the Executive Council; the Finance, Facility, Membership, Strategic Planning, and Leadership Development committees; and all of the Gathering committees.

During the past 20 years, David has been involved in administrative, fiscal, operational and facility management in the community-based, not-for-profit sector. This included almost 12 years at two Boston-area community health centers and eight years as Chief Operations Officer at the Rashi School, the Boston area’s Reform Jewish Day School. David’s dedication to community is further evidenced by his active participation in various organizations, including KESHET and Combined Jewish Philanthropies. For more than 20 years he has been an active member of Temple Israel, Boston, where he is currently co-chairperson of the Cemetery Committee.  Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, the foundational locus of Reform Judaism in the U.S., David is a lifelong, committed Reform Jew. David and his husband, Marc Maxwell, life partners for 31 years, reside in Somerville. In the summer, David spends as much time as he can kayaking, hiking and listening to the loons in and around his cottage in the Belgrade Lakes in Maine.