Mike Amerikaner

Director of Operations

Mike Amerikaner joins Temple Judea as our Director of Operations, overseeing our Facilities & Security, HR & Personnel, and Finance & Budget. Initially launching his career in the professional sports world, Mike has since had prolific experience in nonprofit and Jewish communal management, dating back to 2007 when he was Program Director of Hillel at Davis and Sacramento. Afterwards, Mike became the Young Adult Director of Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, followed by returning to Hillel as a Director of Development and then Assistant Director. Mike took a brief hiatus from the Jewish Communal profession to join the development office at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he raised millions for healthcare. Fortunately, Mike once again returned to the Jewish community, most recently as Development Director at Sinai Temple where he led the fundraising and database team successfully throughout and post-pandemic. Mike has a Bachelor's of the Arts in International Relations from the University of California Davis, and a Masters of Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco.

Mike lives in Sherman Oaks with his wife Laurie and their two children, Ezra and Parker. When not at Temple Judea, you can find Mike playing ice hockey or spending time with his family. Growing up, Mike loved "being Jewish" especially summer camp (he's a Shalom, Swig, and Newman alum). Keeping in mind the community and caring that those experiences fostered, Mike is excited and honored to join the Temple Judea team to help make our temple a second home for his family and our entire congregation.