Professional Staff
Daphne Hubara, Religious School Principal
Daphne is the proud mother of Jasmine, Noa Leigh, and Gilli. Born in Charleston, she also has lived in Tel Aviv, Maryland, and Philadelphia. Growing up, Daphne was a member of a traveling Israeli Folk Dance Troop and involved in Young Judaea. Daphne oversees our religious school. She has always enjoyed the ru’ach (spirit) of Jewish songs, dances and traditions. She passes this enthusiasm on to our Religious School students and synagogue congregants.
Leah Bowzard, Operations Manager
Leah Bowzard is originally from New Hampshire and moved to Charleston in 1993, where she graduated from Johnson & Wales University. Leah has been the Administrative Assistant at Synagogue Emanu-El since 2002. Leah is married to Allen Bowzard and has two children. She is our hub for information and is prized for her attention to details in all areas of our synagogue's life.
Helen Kates, Youth & Family Engagement Director
Our New Director of Youth and Family Engagement. We are thrilled to welcome Helene Kates to our community as the new Director of Youth and Family Engagement! Helene brings over twenty years of experience as a Hazzan, educator, and creative arts facilitator, known for her soulful approach to Jewish learning and connection. From supporting families through their children's Jewish learning journeys to leading music-infused workshops like Fabric of Faith and Whispers of Shema, Helene’s work is rooted in compassion, creativity, and a deep love for Jewish tradition. Helene is excited to get to know each of you and to help create joyful, inclusive spaces where youth and families can grow, celebrate, and explore their Jewish journeys together.
Jane Baskin, Bookkeeping
Jane serves as the Bookkeeper at Synagogue Emanu-El, using her background in accounting and organizational management to keep the synagogue's financial operations running smoothly. She also owns Baskin Home, specializing in residential renovation projects. Originally from Chicago, Jane has called Charleston home for nearly 15 years, where she lives with her husband and son.