Meet the Staff
Lisa Thorner | Executive Director
Lisa has been a passionate and dedicated staff member at Temple Sinai for almost 17 years fulfilling multiple roles. Lisa joined the Temple Sinai staff in January of 2009 as the Director of Programming and Volunteer Recruitment. She was promoted to the position of Executive Director in November 2020.
During her tenure at Temple Sinai, Lisa has demonstrated a strong desire to connect and communicate with all congregants at Temple Sinai. Her proven leadership and wealth of knowledge in management, programming and engagement has been appreciated over the years as she embodies the welcoming principles of our Temple. Lisa brings tremendous knowledge, expertise, warmth, enthusiasm, and dedication to maintaining and furthering Temple Sinai’s success.
Prior to Temple Sinai, Lisa spent 17 years working in college athletics. She worked at the Western Athletic Conference from 1997-2007 where she served as the Assistant Commissioner for Championships and the Senior Woman Administrator. While at the WAC, Lisa was responsible for planning championships for 17 different sports. Prior to the WAC, she spent five years as the Assistant Director of Media Relations at San Diego State University.
Lisa graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a degree in Journalism. Lisa is a Denver native and is the proud mother of two boys, Josh and Zach.
To contact Lisa Thorner, please call (303) 759-1827 or email lisa@sinaidenver.org.
Sheila Purdin | Director of Early Childhood Education
Sheila Purdin began her career in early education over 30 years ago in her native Seattle. She currently serves on the board of The Efshar Project, working to ensure quality early childhood experiences throughout the Denver/Boulder community. Prior to The Efshar Project, she was on the board of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism, serving as VP of Marketing for five years. During her twenty years in the Atlanta area, she was director of two Reform preschools, actively participated in the Jewish Early Childhood Council of Atlanta as both chairperson and conference coordinator. She previously sat on the PJ Library of Atlanta board and was selected to participate in the Union for Reform Judaism Pursuing Excellence in Your Early Childhood Center Community of Practice. Sheila loves being a part of the Temple Sinai Preschool and greater synagogue community. She is inspired daily by her work in early childhood education, by the curiosity and wonder of children, the journey of parenthood, and the endless learning of educators. She lives in Denver with her hamster, Ralph and partner, Mark and has two adult children who are pretty fantastic.
To contact Sheila Purdin, please call (303) 759-0755 or email sheila@sinaidenver.org.
Rachel Cram | Assistant Preschool Director
Rachel Cram began her career in early education with Americorps in an infant classroom with Early Head Start. It was here she found her calling. Rachel then spent over a decade with the Denver JCC, serving as an educator, ECC Coordinator, Assistant Director, and Director. During that time Rachel was selected to participate in the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI), a highly competitive national program training exemplary leaders and as a Sheva Leadership Institute Fellow. Most recently Rachel has led a privately owned school, The Wonder Academy, through the pandemic, creating a safe space for children and educators to thrive. Rachel’s decision to join the administrative team at Temple Sinai Preschool felt, “like coming home.” She has a deep love for the Jewish community. Rachel spends her time away from work hiking, paddle boarding, snowboarding and being in the mountains with her husband, Matt, her two daughters, Gwen and Amber, and their dog, Bear.
To contact Rachel Cram, please call (303) 759-0755 or email rachelc@sinaidenver.org.
Logan Williams | Preschool Operations Manager
Logan Williams is a people-first operations professional who cares deeply about community and belonging. Originally from Houston, Texas, he moved to the Denver area in 2020 and quickly connected with the Front Range’s welcoming spirit. While school settings are new to him, Logan is excited to listen, learn, and support the Temple Sinai Preschool community with a calm, organized, “we’ve got this” approach.
Before Temple Sinai, Logan held roles as a Facilities Operations Manager, a Sales & Development Manager, a Administrative Assistant and a Studio Coordinator. Across these positions, he focused on building supportive teams, creating simple, reliable systems, and nurturing warm experiences for the people those teams serve. Colleagues know him for clear communication, thoughtful follow-through, and steady, solutions-minded leadership.
Logan graduated in May 2025 from the University of Colorado Denver with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and minors in Psychology and Information Systems—studies that reflect his interest in how people work together and how good systems help communities thrive.
Outside of work, he enjoys gardening, hiking Colorado’s trails, taking evening walks through Denver’s neighborhoods, and going to the gym.
To contact Logan Williams, please call (303) 759-0755 or email logan@sinaidenver.org.
Mona Spitz | Director of Development
Mona brings an extensive background in fundraising, relationship-building, and
community engagement, along with a deep appreciation for the values that make our congregation so special. She works closely with our clergy, lay leadership, and staff to strengthen our development efforts and support the programs and initiatives that sustain and grow our community.
Before joining Temple Sinai, Mona served as Director of Principal Gifts at the Craig Hospital Foundation, where she raised funding for the hospital’s capital campaign. Mona spent 14 years at the University of Denver where she directed the alumni relations and fundraising programs for the Daniels College of Business. Prior to moving to Denver in 2010, Mona worked on the annual campaigns for the United Way of Great Cincinnati.
Mona, her husband Mark, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter are all members of Temple Sinai.
To contact Mona Spitz, please call (303) 759-1827 or email mona@sinaidenver.org.
Lauren Mielziner | Director of Business Operations
Lauren Mielziner began working at Temple Sinai in January 2018. She graduated in 2008 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Political Science and Jewish Studies. She worked with the programming, membership, and development departments at Temple Sholom of Chicago from 2008 to 2011. Lauren then moved to Houston for three years where she was the Special Events Coordinator at Jewish Family Service. For a year, she served as the Community Engagement Associate at the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. After a year in Nashville, she moved to Orlando where she worked as an Accessibility Consultant for the University of Central Florida.
Lauren is the proud mother of Sadie and Ruth (and dog Jobe!). She enjoys exploring Denver with the girls and trying new restaurants.
To contact Lauren Mielziner, please call (303) 759-1827 or email lauren@sinaidenver.org.
Debbie Foster | Director of Engagement and Programming
With more than 28 years of teaching and leadership experience, Debbie is successful in developing authentic, inclusive, innovative experiences and programs for children, adolescents, teachers and families in both Jewish and secular environments. Debbie is also accomplished in providing vision and direction to cultivate community partnerships. Debbie is creative and vision-oriented and is a strategic thinker and effective implementer, a natural communicator, teacher and connector.
Born and raised in Denver, Colo., Debbie is the daughter of Rabbi Steven (Rabbi Emeritus at Temple Emanuel) and Joyce Foster and has always been immersed in the Jewish world. Her memories of cooking with her Grandma Beverly and celebrating Shabbat every week with her family is central to her deep connection to her Jewish roots and community.
Before coming to Temple Sinai as a Pre-K teacher, Debbie worked in numerous Jewish and community institutions including Stepping Stones to a Jewish Me, Community Shares, CASA Advocates for Children, Foster Graham Milstein Calisher, Temple Emanuel, BMH-BJ and The Bookies. She has also continued to serve the community as a B’nei Mitzvah tutor for 25 years.
Jessica Wolf | Operations Manager
Jessica Wolf is a Colorado native who graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder (go Buffs!) with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Prior to joining the staff at Temple Sinai, she spent several years working as a Content and Social Media Editor for a recruiting firm. In the years that followed, she dedicated herself to her growing family as a full-time mom. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband and two kiddos.
To contact Jessica Wolf, please call (303) 759-1827 or email jessica@sinaidenver.org.
Lindsey Baltimore | Marketing Manager
Bio coming soon.
To contact Lindsey Baltimore, please call (303) 759-1827 or email lindsey@sinaidenver.org.
Kelsey Oliver | Office Manager
You’ve probably seen Kelsey around Temple Sinai — she’s been part of the community for over 17 years! Starting in the preschool as a teacher or Operations Manager and supporting the religious school as an educator and administrator, she now keeps things organized as Temple Sinai’s Office Manager.
She’s a graduate of Skidmore College, a proud mom to Archie (an energetic elementary schooler), and dog-mom to Snuggles and Tiny. Whether she’s helping families, staff, or visitors, she brings a warm smile and deep dedication to everything she does at Temple Sinai.
To contact Kelsey Oliver, please call (303) 759-1827 or email kelsey@sinaidenver.org.
Wendy Applebaum | Administrative Assistant
Wendy loves sharing her passion for Torah and enjoys teaching Hebrew to children of all ages. Recently married, she brings warmth, energy, and dedication to everything she does. Wendy also thrives in administrative work and is always happy to help meet the needs of the community.
To contact Wendy Applebaum, please call (303) 759-1827 or email wendyg@sinaidenver.org.
Brynn Tully | Youth Engagement Director/Family Programming Assistant
Brynn brings years of experience in nonprofit leadership, program development, and a lifelong passion for Jewish Education. From her time as a Temple Sinai Youth Group leader and song leader at JCC Ranch Camp, to her most recent role with Jewish National Fund USA, Brynn has dedicated her career to empowering young people through meaningful Jewish experiences. She looks forward to collaborating with families, teens, and children to build community, strengthen Jewish identity, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of Temple Sinai.
To contact Brynn Tully, please call (303) 759-1827 or email brynn@sinaidenver.org.