Our Team
Rabbi Ariana Silverman
Ariana Silverman became the rabbi of IADS in 2016. A native of Chicago, she graduated from Harvard University, was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, is an alumna of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program and CLAL’s Rabbis Without Borders Student Fellowship, and is currently a fellow in the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Rabbinic Leadership Initiative. She has served as a rabbi at multiple congregations and has worked for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, the Sierra Club, Hazon, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR). In addition to her social justice work in Detroit, she was a CCAR delegate on the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. She has published on topics including food justice, Jewish parenting, theology, and mental health. She has served on multiple boards in Metro Detroit and teaches extensively both locally and nationally. She has lived in 12 cities, but her home in the City of Detroit is where she has lived the longest. She and Justin are the proud parents of Rebecca and August, and the whole family enjoys camping, exploring Detroit, and eating ice cream on Shabbat.
rachel rudman, executive director
Rachel became the executive director of IADS in January 2022. She’s a strategic synagogue leader with a decade of experience managing teams and building relationships with stakeholders. Before coming to IADS, Rachel worked at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills for six years as their Program Director, Director of Member Engagement, and Associate Director. She holds a Masters from New York University in Jewish Studies, a Bachelors from the University of Michigan in Jewish Studies and Women’s Studies, and a second Masters in Nonprofit Management from Gratz College. She has studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Yeshivat Hadar, and Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, staying active, and obsessively playing NYTimes’ Spelling Bee.
Jaime Bean, Associate Director of Building operations
Jaime joined the IADS team in January 2023. Before joining the IADS team, Jaime spent five years working at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, most recently as the Associate Director of the Israel and Overseas Department. She holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan, where she studied Organizational Change and Non-Profit Management, and was part of the Jewish Communal Leadership Program (JCLP). Jaime is passionate about relationship building and is always available for a coffee date! During her free time, Jaime enjoys spending time with her husband, Ethan, being outdoors and playing board games with friends.
HEATHER GALE, Associate Director of Office Management & Dor Hadash director
Heather became the Dor Hadash Director in October of 2023, and Associate Director of Office Management in February 2024. She has been working in Jewish education for over a decade and is excited to bring her experience to the Detroit Jewish community. Before Dor Hadash, Heather was the Director of Youth Education at Beth Israel in Ann Arbor, and at Machar in Washington, DC. Heather loves Judaism and is passionate about passing along that joy and excitement to the next generation. She holds a MS in Law Enforcement Intelligence & Analysis from MSU and BA from MSU in International Studies. In her free time, Heather enjoys fostering dogs, traveling, and trying to find the best restaurants in Detroit.