Board of Directors
Natan Kahn
President
Natan Kahn has been a member of Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh since 1999, when he and his family relocated to Portland for his occupation as an oculoplastic surgeon. Natan was raised in Tyler, Texas and learned first-hand about small-town Judaism as his family gravitated to Orthodoxy. After spending time during his education in Dallas, Israel, New York and West Virginia, the Kahns have found a welcome home in Maine and hope that other modern Orthodox families and individuals will be attracted to this beautiful and friendly place that represents “the way life should be”.
Michael Goldblatt
Treasurer
Dr. Michael Goldblatt received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University in 1967. Until April of 2006, Dr. Goldblatt was the Executive Director of Philmont Guidance Center, one of the largest private practices in the Philadelphia area. He also held a position as a Clinical Professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He brought to PCOM 40 years of clinical and administrative experience and is a recognized pioneer of cognitive-behavioral therapy. As a charter clinical fellow of the Behavioral Therapy and Research Society, Dr. Goldblatt is among an exclusive group worldwide. He was a member of the faculty of Temple University School of Medicine and was on the staff of St. Christopher’s Hospital and Holy Redeemer Hospital for many years. He has trained hundreds of physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers and has written over thirty articles and papers.
Dr. Goldblatt has engaged in Israel advocacy for over 60 years. Currently, he is National Chairman of the board of the Zionist Organization of America. He has published over 300 letters and op-eds in several well known publications including Wall Street Journal, New York Times, US News and World Report, Philadelphia Inquirer, Jewish Exponent, and Jerusalem Post.
Alisha Goldblatt
Secretary
Alisha is an English teacher at Greely Middle School in Cumberland, Maine. She grew up in Philadelphia and attended Akiba Hebrew Academy (now Barrack Hebrew Academy) for high school. Her experience as an undergraduate at Bowdoin College offered an introduction to the state of Maine, and she eagerly returned after earning a Masters in English Literature from Boston University. Alisha is also a poet and essayist with numerous publications including a recent essay in the Stonecoast Review, the literary magazine of the University of Maine’s MFA program. She also published a children’s book last year, Finding a Way, about her son’s rare chromosome disorder and the beauty of acceptance. Alisha lives in Portland with her husband Zach, the legal director for the ACLU of Maine, and her two lovely children.
Rori Lockman
Rori Lockman and her family have called Shaarey Tphiloh their spiritual home for over ten years. Rori has been an active board member, including board president, during that time. She and her family enjoy making Kosher Maple Syrup at their home in North Gorham, Maine.
Orly Haggai-Kahn
Orly has been a member of Shaarey Tphiloh since 1999 when she moved here with her husband, Natan and their family. Orly was educated in Israel, Montreal and the US and holds an MA in English Literature and teacher certification. Having been raised in Israel, Orly has familiarity with Hebrew and Israeli dance and cuisine and has enjoyed imparting her knowledge through community classes and is looking forward to continuing to engage the Shaarey Tphiloh and local community in these areas of interest.
Paula Harris
Paula Harris has been affiliated with Shaarey Tphiloh since 1980 and has served on the Board of Directors in the past. Paula received her BS in nursing from the University of Maine in 1974 and has worked in Public Health and school nursing throughout her career. Since her retirement she has volunteered at the Portland Community Free Clinic.
Paula and her husband are snowbirds, spending part of the year in Florida. She has been an active member of the Portland Chevra Kadisha since 1980 and is currently Secretary of their Board of Directors. She also participates in the South West Florida Chevra Kadisha.
Noam Fine
Noam Fine joined the Shaarey Tphiloh community in 2023, shortly after he relocated to Maine. Noam was raised in New Jersey where he also attended college at Rutgers University. After graduating Noam joined Teach for America and worked as a high school science teacher for several years. Following this Noam received his MD from SUNY Downstate University, then completed urology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. Noam enjoys being a part of the warm Shaarey Tphiloh community and looks forward to helping the community continue to grow.
Staff
Orly Haggai-Kahn, Administrative Assistant
Sherri Quint, Controller
In addition to her role as Finance Director at Shaarey Tphiloh, Sherri is also the Treasurer and Bookkeeper for the Southern Maine Jewish Cemetery Association, which manages Mount Sinai Cemetery in Portland and Smith Street Cemetery in South Portland. Sherri’s passion for Jewish end of life traditions and rituals was sparked when she observed her first Tahara (ritual purification of a deceased person) in 2011. Since then, she has acquired her license as a funeral attendant at the Jewish Funeral Home and has become a member of the Portland Chevra Kadisha. In addition, Sherri is now the accounting manager for the Episcopal Diocese of Maine.
The Board of Directors of the Jewish Cemetery Association of North America (JCANA) has elected Sherri Quint as the organization’s new Chair of the Board.
