Professional Staff

Kate Flanagan

Executive Director
kateflanagan@km-synagogue.org

Kate Flanagan joined our staff in August 2019. Prior to her time at KM, she served as Executive Director at Congregation Ner Tamid of South Bay in Rancho Palos Verdes. With her, she brings over fifteen years of experience in the Jewish community, after having spent time in leadership roles at both Conservative and Reform congregations in Newton, MA and Durham, NC. Working within the walls of a synagogue is more of a calling for Kate, so much so that she proudly reminds everyone that throughout her career she has had the luxury of being cared for by hundreds and hundreds of Jewish mothers! Since moving to the Los Angeles area, she has been fortunate enough to form close bonds with her other Executive Directors, serving as Executive Vice President and then President of the SoCal chapter of Professional Association of Temple Administrators.

A graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and with a Master of Public Policy and Administration from California State University at Long Beach, Kate has a passion for lifelong learning. When she is not at KM, she can be found taking in the sights and sounds on the beach with her dog, Ellie the Shih Tzu. Amongst her other fun distractions: trivia, Southern foods, Red Sox baseball, and thrift store shopping.

Joanne Klein

Business Manager
joanneklein@km-synagogue.org

Since the day she got married, Joanne has been immersed in synagogue life. Initially as a volunteer, she began her involvement at Temple Beth Am. After a couple of years as a Board Member there, she served successively as the Vice President of Finance and Vice President of Ways & Means. Joanne has worked professionally, benefitting from her prior practice as a CPA, at Stephen S Wise Temple (for 9 years), Adat Ari El (for 7 years), and now calls Kehillat Ma’arav her home. Joanne is married to Paul Klein. (He asked her out for the first time while in the synagogue parking lot after a late Board Meeting.) Together, they have four kids (five counting their son-in-law) and two grandkids that they truly adore.

Masha Savitz Keys

Interim Director of Education
eddirector@km-synagogue.org

With 25+ years of experience as a Jewish educator and Religious School principal, Masha Savitz has a Masters in Rabbinic studies from the University of Judaism (AJU) and a BFA in Art from Boston University; she combines creativity and Torah learning. Masha has published Kabbalah curriculum with Torah Aura and is currently involved in media projects which she is eager to involve KM school and community.

Ms. Savitz is a published author and filmmaker.

Shelby Burke

Operations Coordinator
shelbyburke@km-synagogue.org

My name is Shelby and I joined KM as the Operations Coordinator. I was born in Toledo, Ohio, and after my two brothers moved here, I followed suit and made the move in 2013. Before that, I spent some time in Chicago, where I studied art and design in college. Growing up in a Jewish household, celebrating my bat mitzvah, and visiting Israel twice have all played a big role in shaping my connection to our community and traditions. Professionally, I’ve had the chance to explore creative fields, from filmmaking to life coaching. These experiences have taught me a lot about the importance of community, creativity, and personal growth, things I’m excited to bring to my work at KM. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, boyfriend and our dog. We enjoy traveling and discovering new places together.