Staff

Kate Shkurko

Executive Director

Kate is an experienced executive and non-executive director, CPA accountant with in-depth knowledge of Emanuel Synagogue’s operations. She is well known to many, in her role as our Finance Director for almost a decade. 

Kate has also been an active contributor to the Shul’s strategic direction, playing central roles in many important strategic initiatives including two significant campus redevelopments, launch of our digital platform ‘emanuelplus’ and the launch of Nora’s kitchen catering services.

We are delighted to appoint Kate to this key role where she will lead all staff, working in tandem with our Rabbis to deliver the highest quality service experience for all our members. Kate is a mother to 12 year-old daughter, Nina.

Victor Santos

Financial Controller

Victor is an experienced finance professional with a strong track record in financial management, reporting, and process improvement across Brazil and Australia. At Emanuel Synagogue, Victor oversees the full finance function, ensuring the community’s resources are managed with integrity, transparency, and sound financial governance. His approach combines analytical rigour with a deep respect for the organisation’s values and long-term sustainability.

Melba Proestos

Director of Marketing & Communications

Melba is a dynamic, data-driven communications leader with more than 15 years’ senior experience spanning the arts, education, cultural and commercial sectors. Her specialist areas include content, marketing and brand strategy.

Milena Cadena

Assistant Accountant

Milena joined the Synagogue in July 2025. She holds a degree in accounting and is a specialist in Financial Management and Tax Law from Universidad Externado de Colombia. She has more than 15 years of experience in financial roles across both public and private companies, as well as with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Her role at the synagogue is Assistant Accountant, and she plans to pursue her CPA certification next year. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in family, participating in reading clubs, going to the beach, and staying connected with nature.

Sarah Vasin

Lifecycle Coordinator / Honorary Secretary of the Board

Sarah has over 17 years experience providing administrative support to not-for-profit Boards and has held Executive Assistant positions in both corporate and not-for-profit organisations for over 25 years.
 
Employed as the Lifecycles Administrator/Executive Assistant for Emanuel Synagogue since 2017, Sarah has enjoyed getting to know the wonderful Emanuel Synagogue community as well as her amazing colleagues.
 
Sarah married Daniel in 2005 and they have two children. Her eldest son, Rafi, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Emanuel Synagogue in 2022. 

Toni Rozen

Membership Engagement Officer

Toni started working at Emanuel in January 2023 but she has a long family history with the Synagogue being born into our congregation and having Grandparents who were founding members.
 
Toni has a background in jewellery and fashion, and is very focused on customer service. Toni is a people person and she loves to lend a helping hand, she is ready to answer your questions and assist with your inquiries at all times. 
Toni is loving her new role with our Emanuel family working closely with membership engagement and building back up our volunteer program. She is the first point of contact you will meet when you call our office or email us for information.

Ben Adler

Musical Curator

Ben is a Sydney-based violinist, composer and arranger. He and pianist Paul Khodor founded klezmer fusion band CHUTNEY in 2019, and he founded the Nomad String Quartet in 2021. Ben is the Director of SHIR, the Australian Jewish Music Festival (previously Shir Madness). He also plays with ARIA-winning gypsy band Monsieur Camembert.

For several years, Ben performed and toured nationally as both section member and soloist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO). In Sydney, he has played with the Australia Piano Quartet, the Sydney Art Quartet, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Opera Australia Orchestra and the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra.

Ben has also lectured in music at the University of New South Wales, teaching a syllabus he created about music as the communication of emotion. He has fought against the influx of anti-Israel hatred into the Australian arts scene, and has had a piece he co-wrote opposing BDS published in the Sydney Morning Herald.