Temple Judea of Coral Gables
President of Temple Judea.
Gary C. Matzner served as president of Temple Judea from 2018 to 2020. He brought the same practical attention to governance, finances, and institutional strength that marked his legal and civic work.
Congregational service
Leading the congregation, 2018–2020.
When Temple Judea announced Gary’s election, it described a leader whose experience crossed law, nonprofit boards, municipal government, and preservation work. That combination suited a congregation responsible for worship, education, community programs, staff, facilities, and long-term stewardship.
His family remembers a central priority of the term as modernizing the Temple’s internal operations. That meant improving the systems behind worship, education, staff work, and long-term planning while preparing the congregation’s next leaders.
2018–2020
Gary’s term as president.
Gary’s two-year term moved from regular congregational leadership into the sudden disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A two-year term begins.
Temple Judea elected Gary president after years of legal, civic, nonprofit, and congregational service. Rabbi Judith Siegal pointed to the breadth of experience he brought to the role.
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Strengthening how the congregation works.
Gary’s presidency emphasized sound administration, financial discipline, clear internal processes, and continuity across the congregation’s religious, educational, and community life.
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A congregation moves online.
When the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted in-person life, Temple Judea shifted worship, learning, education, meetings, and member outreach online. Gary’s closing report records the transition as the final chapter of his term.
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Service continues as immediate past president.
Temple Judea’s publications listed Gary as immediate past president, supporting continuity after the end of his term.
Spring 2020
Temple Judea moves online.
Temple Judea’s annual report describes worship, study, education, meetings, and outreach moving online while clergy, staff, teachers, and volunteers worked to keep members connected. Gary’s term ended during that transition.
The closing months made the administrative work of the preceding years especially relevant. The congregation needed dependable decision-making, communication, and operations at a time when familiar routines changed almost overnight.
Before his presidency
Legal, civic, and nonprofit service.
Gary’s congregational presidency followed decades of work in healthcare law, public-company governance, nonprofit leadership, and municipal service. He had helped organize Pinecrest’s incorporation, chaired its Charter Commission, served as its second mayor, led Preserve the Jungle, and served on the Board of Governors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami-Dade.
Across those roles, Gary learned the numbers, brought people to decisions, and gave the next leaders clear records and working organizations to carry forward.
Sources