Rabbi Leora Abelson
Rabbi Leora Abelson (she/they) is the rabbi of Nehar Shalom Community synagogue in Jamaica Plain, Boston. Previously, she served as the rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, MA from 2016 to 2020.
Rabbi Leora Abelson (she/they) grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and lived in Middletown, CT; Nairobi, Kenya; and Chicago, IL before moving to Boston to attend Hebrew College Rabbinical School. She was ordained as a rabbi in 2017. Prior to serving at Nehar Shalom, she was the rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, MA. She has completed four units of chaplaincy training (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Hebrew SeniorLife and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and worked as an Interfaith Chaplain at Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care from January 2020 through May 2022. She has been active in movements for social justice for many years, including fighting against racism and classism in the queer community in Chicago and supporting the Palestinian- and Israeli-led struggle for justice, safety, dignity, and freedom for all Israelis and Palestinians. She was led towards the rabbinate by her longing for a Jewish communal home that is aligned with her commitment to building a more just world and with her anti-oppression values (and with good singing of course!). She is passionate about making Jewish tradition and practice – from Talmud study to embodied theology to deeply rooted ritual – accessible to those longing for it. She is equally passionate about celebrating historically silenced voices and bringing diverse experiences into conversation with our tradition, believing that we know the Divine and understand and live Torah more fully only when our full collective wisdom is expressed. Leora lives with her partner Ray-ray in Jamaica Plain. She is a proud auntie and grammar nerd, shyly plays the violin, and loves the ocean.
Rabbi Leora Abelson (she/they) is the rabbi of Nehar Shalom Community synagogue in Jamaica Plain, Boston. Previously, she served as the rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, MA from 2016 to 2020.
Rabbi Leora Abelson (she/they) grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and lived in Middletown, CT; Nairobi, Kenya; and Chicago, IL before moving to Boston to attend Hebrew College Rabbinical School. She was ordained as a rabbi in 2017. Prior to serving at Nehar Shalom, she was the rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, MA. She has completed four units of chaplaincy training (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Hebrew SeniorLife and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and worked as an Interfaith Chaplain at Hebrew SeniorLife Hospice Care from January 2020 through May 2022. She has been active in movements for social justice for many years, including fighting against racism and classism in the queer community in Chicago and supporting the Palestinian- and Israeli-led struggle for justice, safety, dignity, and freedom for all Israelis and Palestinians. She was led towards the rabbinate by her longing for a Jewish communal home that is aligned with her commitment to building a more just world and with her anti-oppression values (and with good singing of course!). She is passionate about making Jewish tradition and practice – from Talmud study to embodied theology to deeply rooted ritual – accessible to those longing for it. She is equally passionate about celebrating historically silenced voices and bringing diverse experiences into conversation with our tradition, believing that we know the Divine and understand and live Torah more fully only when our full collective wisdom is expressed. Leora lives with her partner Ray-ray in Jamaica Plain. She is a proud auntie and grammar nerd, shyly plays the violin, and loves the ocean.
Rabbi Michelle Dardashti
Rabbi Michelle Dardashti is the spiritual leader of the Kane Street Synagogue in Brooklyn, New York. From 2013 to 2022, she served as the Associate University Chaplain for the Jewish Community at Brown University and Rabbi at Brown RISD Hillel.
Rabbi Dardashti is the daughter of an American folk-singer and teacher and an Iranian-born cantor. She was raised on a brand of Judaism that is multicultural, meta-denominational, musical and global; she became a rabbi to share the gifts her parents’ eclectic Judaism afforded her: passion, hope, wonder, gratitude, empathy, responsibility and joy.
Her appointment at Kane Street was covered by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, The Brooklyn Eagle, and the Brown Daily Herald.
Rabbi Dardashti was ordained and received an MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). During her time at JTS, she was trained in Congregation-Based Community Organizing through JOIN for Justice and in Clinical Pastoral Education at Bellevue Hospital; she was also an educator for Interfaith Community and Director of Youth and Family Education at Congregation Shaare Zedek. She came to Brown University in 2013 after serving as the Marshall T. Meyer Fellow at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan and Director of Community Engagement at Temple Beth El in Stamford, CT.
Rabbi Dardashti spent time living and working in the Jewish community of Montevideo, Uruguay as well as four years in Jerusalem, where she was a student at Hebrew University, a Dorot Fellow, and a volunteer and staff member at a number of NGOs working in the realms of democracy, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. Her writings have appeared in Sh’ma Journal, Jewschool and Siddur Lev Shalem (2016), and in three recent books, One Nation, Indivisible: Seeking Liberty and Justice from the Pulpit to the Streets (2019), Chaver Up: Allyship Through A Modern Jewish Lens (2021), and Jewish Theological Grace: Drashot In Honor of Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen (2022). She was also a 2021 Pedagogies of Wellbeing Research Fellow through M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education and was named as one of the “NY Jewish Week’s 36 To Watch in 2023“. Rabbi Dardashti is married to Nathan Sher, who hails from Sydney, Australia; their three children– Eden, Miya and Lavi–attend Hannah Senesh Jewish Day School.
Rabbi Michelle Dardashti is the spiritual leader of the Kane Street Synagogue in Brooklyn, New York. From 2013 to 2022, she served as the Associate University Chaplain for the Jewish Community at Brown University and Rabbi at Brown RISD Hillel.
Rabbi Dardashti is the daughter of an American folk-singer and teacher and an Iranian-born cantor. She was raised on a brand of Judaism that is multicultural, meta-denominational, musical and global; she became a rabbi to share the gifts her parents’ eclectic Judaism afforded her: passion, hope, wonder, gratitude, empathy, responsibility and joy.
Her appointment at Kane Street was covered by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, The Brooklyn Eagle, and the Brown Daily Herald.
Rabbi Dardashti was ordained and received an MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). During her time at JTS, she was trained in Congregation-Based Community Organizing through JOIN for Justice and in Clinical Pastoral Education at Bellevue Hospital; she was also an educator for Interfaith Community and Director of Youth and Family Education at Congregation Shaare Zedek. She came to Brown University in 2013 after serving as the Marshall T. Meyer Fellow at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan and Director of Community Engagement at Temple Beth El in Stamford, CT.
Rabbi Dardashti spent time living and working in the Jewish community of Montevideo, Uruguay as well as four years in Jerusalem, where she was a student at Hebrew University, a Dorot Fellow, and a volunteer and staff member at a number of NGOs working in the realms of democracy, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. Her writings have appeared in Sh’ma Journal, Jewschool and Siddur Lev Shalem (2016), and in three recent books, One Nation, Indivisible: Seeking Liberty and Justice from the Pulpit to the Streets (2019), Chaver Up: Allyship Through A Modern Jewish Lens (2021), and Jewish Theological Grace: Drashot In Honor of Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen (2022). She was also a 2021 Pedagogies of Wellbeing Research Fellow through M²: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education and was named as one of the “NY Jewish Week’s 36 To Watch in 2023“. Rabbi Dardashti is married to Nathan Sher, who hails from Sydney, Australia; their three children– Eden, Miya and Lavi–attend Hannah Senesh Jewish Day School.
Rabbi Carol Glass
Rabbi Carol Glass is a former staff chaplain at Rhode Island Hospital. She is the Founding Director of Ikvotecha, the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College’s Spiritual Direction program, and has served the Rabbinical School in other capacities since its inception. Ordained in 1984 among the world’s first 100 female rabbis, she has been a pulpit and Hillel rabbi and is a Board Certified Chaplain and mussar group facilitator. She has authored chapters in books about Jews and addiction and wrote a chapter in the CCAR's "Mussar Torah Commentary."
Rabbi Carol Glass is a former staff chaplain at Rhode Island Hospital. She is the Founding Director of Ikvotecha, the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College’s Spiritual Direction program, and has served the Rabbinical School in other capacities since its inception. Ordained in 1984 among the world’s first 100 female rabbis, she has been a pulpit and Hillel rabbi and is a Board Certified Chaplain and mussar group facilitator. She has authored chapters in books about Jews and addiction and wrote a chapter in the CCAR's "Mussar Torah Commentary."
Rabbi Carolan Glatstein
Rabbi Carolan Glatstein is the Religious School Director at Temple Brith Achim in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. She formerly served United Brothers Synagogue in Bristol.
Rabbi Glatstein was ordained in 2014 from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. During rabbinical school, she earned two units of Clinical Pastoral Education doing chaplaincy work at Good Samaritan, Jewish, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospitals. She also interned at a synagogue where she was extensively involved in the education and music programs. Previously, she attended the University of Kansas, earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature.
Rabbi Carolan Glatstein is the Religious School Director at Temple Brith Achim in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. She formerly served United Brothers Synagogue in Bristol.
Rabbi Glatstein was ordained in 2014 from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. During rabbinical school, she earned two units of Clinical Pastoral Education doing chaplaincy work at Good Samaritan, Jewish, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospitals. She also interned at a synagogue where she was extensively involved in the education and music programs. Previously, she attended the University of Kansas, earning a bachelor’s degree in English literature.
Rabbi/Cantor Anne Heath
Rabbi/Cantor Heath was ordained rabbi by The Academy for Jewish Religion in New York (Riverdale -The Bronx) in 2007. She received Cantorial Certification from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion School of Sacred Music in 2000. She began serving Congregation Agudath Achim of Taunton, Massachusetts, in June 2003 while still in rabbinical school. She retired in May of 2020 and now resides in St. Louis.
Rabbi/Cantor Heath was ordained rabbi by The Academy for Jewish Religion in New York (Riverdale -The Bronx) in 2007. She received Cantorial Certification from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion School of Sacred Music in 2000. She began serving Congregation Agudath Achim of Taunton, Massachusetts, in June 2003 while still in rabbinical school. She retired in May of 2020 and now resides in St. Louis.
Rabbi Marc Jagolinzer, ז׳׳ל
Rabbi Marc S. Jagolinzer, a native Rhode Islander, died peacefully in his home on October 22, 2017, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, at the age of 68.
Rabbi Jagolinzer is survived by his mother, Hinda Jagolinzer of Middletown, Rhode Island; his loving and devoted wife of 41 years, Barbara Jagolinzer; his three children, their son, Charles Jagolinzer of San Diego, California, and his wife, Rachelle, and their two sons, Max and Sam; their daughter, Sarah Kabat of Potomac, Maryland, and her husband, Andrew, and their two daughters, Julia and Jamie; and their son, Jonathan Jagolinzer of Vienna, Virginia, and his wife, Jennifer; and his younger brother, Robert Jagolinzer of New York, New York. He is preceded in death by his father, Harold Jagolinzer of Middletown, Rhode Island.
Rabbi Jagolinzer was born on March 23, 1949, in Providence, Rhode Island to Harold and Hinda (Tesler) Jagolinzer. He graduated from Columbia University in 1971 with a degree in English before becoming an ordained rabbi in 1975. Upon completing his studies, Rabbi Jagolinzer returned to Rhode Island to become the spiritual leader of Temple Shalom in Middletown. He served with distinction at Temple Shalom from 1975 to 2016, before the Congregation recently named him Rabbi Emeritus.
In the late summer of 1975, Rabbi Jagolinzer met Barbara (Richman) Jagolinzer and proposed to her eight days later. The couple has been happily married since January 1, 1976. Over the next several years, the young couple welcomed three children into their home and set about teaching them the values of education, Jewish tradition, and community service. His children fondly remember him as a hands-on and engaged father, who was kind, patient and gentle, but above all else, selfless.
Rabbi Jagolinzer was an accomplished spiritual leader who had a passion for teaching students of all ages. As he used to say, “In any given week, I teach people from age three to 93.” He was a dedicated individual who loved Judaism and his local community. Rabbi Jagolinzer was particularly passionate about building interfaith communities in Aquidneck Island and in the State of Rhode Island. As a newly ordained rabbi, Rabbi Jagolinzer founded and orchestrated the Community-Wide Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for Aquidneck Island, which has been held the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving for over 40 years.
Rabbi Jagolinzer served as the President of the Aquidneck Island Clergy Association; a Convener of the Interfaith Leaders of Rhode Island; and a Member of the Diocese of Rhode Island’s Child Protection Advisory Board. He was chosen in 2015 by the Diocese to receive the prestigious “Lumen Gentium Award” as a Friend of the Diocese of Providence. Additionally, Rabbi Jagolinzer was the first Jewish clergyperson to preach from the high pulpit of the historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Newport.
Rabbi Jagolinzer served with distinction on numerous Jewish and secular non-profit boards including serving as President of the Rhode Island Board of Rabbis; Chair of the Principal’s Council; Chair of the Rhode Island Bureau of Jewish Education; Secretary of the Newport Hospital Board of Trustees; Chair of the Hospital’s Ethics Committee; President of the Board of the Rhode Island Chaplaincy Center; and President of Island Hospice. For many years, he also served as Chair for the Interfaith Committee of the Conference for Community and Justice.
In addition to serving the Congregation of Temple Shalom, Rabbi Jagolinzer was the University Chaplain at Roger Williams University as well as at Johnson & Wales University. He most recently served as an adjunct faculty member at Salve Regina University, where he taught a popular course titled, “The Jewish Experience.” Prior to that, Rabbi Jagolinzer taught Hebrew courses at the University of Rhode Island for over three decades. He also taught at and served as Principal of the Samuel Zilman Bazarsky Religious School at Temple Shalom for several years.
Rabbi Jagolinzer was the recipient of numerous awards from the United States Navy, the National Conference for Community and Justice, and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island who presented the Rabbi with the prestigious “Never Again Award” for his dedication to fighting for human rights and ending discrimination. In 2011, Rabbi Jagolinzer was honored by the Women’s Resource Center as one of the “Men Who Make A Difference”.
A popular and engaging speaker, Rabbi Jagolinzer delivered sermons and addresses in numerous religious houses of worship and before civic groups throughout New England. He enjoyed serving as a Chaplain for the Middletown Police Department. He established and wrote a regular religion column called “Clergy Corner” for The Newport Daily News. Rabbi Jagolinzer had a wonderful sense of humor and created a popular program at Temple Shalom called an Evening of Jewish Humor. Throughout his lifetime, Rabbi Jagolinzer left a positive imprint on so many individuals.
Rabbi Marc S. Jagolinzer, a native Rhode Islander, died peacefully in his home on October 22, 2017, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, at the age of 68.
Rabbi Jagolinzer is survived by his mother, Hinda Jagolinzer of Middletown, Rhode Island; his loving and devoted wife of 41 years, Barbara Jagolinzer; his three children, their son, Charles Jagolinzer of San Diego, California, and his wife, Rachelle, and their two sons, Max and Sam; their daughter, Sarah Kabat of Potomac, Maryland, and her husband, Andrew, and their two daughters, Julia and Jamie; and their son, Jonathan Jagolinzer of Vienna, Virginia, and his wife, Jennifer; and his younger brother, Robert Jagolinzer of New York, New York. He is preceded in death by his father, Harold Jagolinzer of Middletown, Rhode Island.
Rabbi Jagolinzer was born on March 23, 1949, in Providence, Rhode Island to Harold and Hinda (Tesler) Jagolinzer. He graduated from Columbia University in 1971 with a degree in English before becoming an ordained rabbi in 1975. Upon completing his studies, Rabbi Jagolinzer returned to Rhode Island to become the spiritual leader of Temple Shalom in Middletown. He served with distinction at Temple Shalom from 1975 to 2016, before the Congregation recently named him Rabbi Emeritus.
In the late summer of 1975, Rabbi Jagolinzer met Barbara (Richman) Jagolinzer and proposed to her eight days later. The couple has been happily married since January 1, 1976. Over the next several years, the young couple welcomed three children into their home and set about teaching them the values of education, Jewish tradition, and community service. His children fondly remember him as a hands-on and engaged father, who was kind, patient and gentle, but above all else, selfless.
Rabbi Jagolinzer was an accomplished spiritual leader who had a passion for teaching students of all ages. As he used to say, “In any given week, I teach people from age three to 93.” He was a dedicated individual who loved Judaism and his local community. Rabbi Jagolinzer was particularly passionate about building interfaith communities in Aquidneck Island and in the State of Rhode Island. As a newly ordained rabbi, Rabbi Jagolinzer founded and orchestrated the Community-Wide Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for Aquidneck Island, which has been held the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving for over 40 years.
Rabbi Jagolinzer served as the President of the Aquidneck Island Clergy Association; a Convener of the Interfaith Leaders of Rhode Island; and a Member of the Diocese of Rhode Island’s Child Protection Advisory Board. He was chosen in 2015 by the Diocese to receive the prestigious “Lumen Gentium Award” as a Friend of the Diocese of Providence. Additionally, Rabbi Jagolinzer was the first Jewish clergyperson to preach from the high pulpit of the historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Newport.
Rabbi Jagolinzer served with distinction on numerous Jewish and secular non-profit boards including serving as President of the Rhode Island Board of Rabbis; Chair of the Principal’s Council; Chair of the Rhode Island Bureau of Jewish Education; Secretary of the Newport Hospital Board of Trustees; Chair of the Hospital’s Ethics Committee; President of the Board of the Rhode Island Chaplaincy Center; and President of Island Hospice. For many years, he also served as Chair for the Interfaith Committee of the Conference for Community and Justice.
In addition to serving the Congregation of Temple Shalom, Rabbi Jagolinzer was the University Chaplain at Roger Williams University as well as at Johnson & Wales University. He most recently served as an adjunct faculty member at Salve Regina University, where he taught a popular course titled, “The Jewish Experience.” Prior to that, Rabbi Jagolinzer taught Hebrew courses at the University of Rhode Island for over three decades. He also taught at and served as Principal of the Samuel Zilman Bazarsky Religious School at Temple Shalom for several years.
Rabbi Jagolinzer was the recipient of numerous awards from the United States Navy, the National Conference for Community and Justice, and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island who presented the Rabbi with the prestigious “Never Again Award” for his dedication to fighting for human rights and ending discrimination. In 2011, Rabbi Jagolinzer was honored by the Women’s Resource Center as one of the “Men Who Make A Difference”.
A popular and engaging speaker, Rabbi Jagolinzer delivered sermons and addresses in numerous religious houses of worship and before civic groups throughout New England. He enjoyed serving as a Chaplain for the Middletown Police Department. He established and wrote a regular religion column called “Clergy Corner” for The Newport Daily News. Rabbi Jagolinzer had a wonderful sense of humor and created a popular program at Temple Shalom called an Evening of Jewish Humor. Throughout his lifetime, Rabbi Jagolinzer left a positive imprint on so many individuals.
Rabbi Adam Lavitt
Rabbi Adam Lavitt is a spiritual director, educator, and writer in Philadelphia. Previously, he served as Rabbi and Chaplain at Orchard Cove, a campus of Hebrew SeniorLife in Canton, MA. As a CLAL Rabbis without Borders Fellow, he offered spiritual leadership to the unaffiliated Jewish community in Providence (2014-15).
In addition to serving as Director of Program Design and Facilitation at the Jewish Studio Project, he offers spiritual companionship to seekers near and far in a growing private practice. His work as a spiritual director recently received mention in the New York Times.
He has served as a spiritual leader for congregations, college campuses, and healthcare settings. Co-founder of the Movement Minyan — a method that explores Jewish liturgy through embodied practice — he was the National Havurah Summer Institute's Liturgist in Residence (2013). He is also an alumnus of the JOIN for Justice Clergy Fellowship (2015-16), the Boston Bridges Fellowship (2017-18), and the Davennen Leadership Training Institute (2018-2020).
After a semester abroad at Oxford University (2003), he graduated cum laude from Kenyon College in 2004. In 2012, he was ordained at and received a Master’s in Jewish Education from Hebrew College Rabbinical School — and was the school’s first recipient of a certificate in Pastoral Care. In 2017, he completed training as a Spiritual Director through Hebrew Union College’s Bekhol Levavkha training program, and in 2019 became a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) through the Association of Professional Chaplains. Many of his teachings have been published in Evolve, Huffington Post, MyJewishLearning, and The Wisdom Daily. He lives with his husband, Alex, in Philadelphia, PA. In his spare time, he enjoy playing clarinet, studying Torah, going on walks with friends, and learning how to knit.
Rabbi Adam Lavitt is a spiritual director, educator, and writer in Philadelphia. Previously, he served as Rabbi and Chaplain at Orchard Cove, a campus of Hebrew SeniorLife in Canton, MA. As a CLAL Rabbis without Borders Fellow, he offered spiritual leadership to the unaffiliated Jewish community in Providence (2014-15).
In addition to serving as Director of Program Design and Facilitation at the Jewish Studio Project, he offers spiritual companionship to seekers near and far in a growing private practice. His work as a spiritual director recently received mention in the New York Times.
He has served as a spiritual leader for congregations, college campuses, and healthcare settings. Co-founder of the Movement Minyan — a method that explores Jewish liturgy through embodied practice — he was the National Havurah Summer Institute's Liturgist in Residence (2013). He is also an alumnus of the JOIN for Justice Clergy Fellowship (2015-16), the Boston Bridges Fellowship (2017-18), and the Davennen Leadership Training Institute (2018-2020).
After a semester abroad at Oxford University (2003), he graduated cum laude from Kenyon College in 2004. In 2012, he was ordained at and received a Master’s in Jewish Education from Hebrew College Rabbinical School — and was the school’s first recipient of a certificate in Pastoral Care. In 2017, he completed training as a Spiritual Director through Hebrew Union College’s Bekhol Levavkha training program, and in 2019 became a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) through the Association of Professional Chaplains. Many of his teachings have been published in Evolve, Huffington Post, MyJewishLearning, and The Wisdom Daily. He lives with his husband, Alex, in Philadelphia, PA. In his spare time, he enjoy playing clarinet, studying Torah, going on walks with friends, and learning how to knit.
Rabbi Amy Levin
Rabbi Amy Levin lives on Hanaton in Israel from where she provides consulting services to congregations and clergy through her platform: Tzibur Strategies: for Thriving Sacred Communities and Their Leaders. From 2004 to 2014, she served Temple Torat Yisrael, a Conservative congregation in East Greenwich, RI, and she is a past President of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island
Rabbi Levin is the past president of the Rabbinical Assembly of Israel, and is the second woman ordained by the Masorti Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem. Rabbi Levin trained in the "Consulting for Vital Congregations" program of The Alban Institute, has taught at the Schechter Institute and The Conservative Yeshiva. She serves on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards and the Vaad Hakavod, the Ethics Committee, of the international Rabbinical Assembly. Rabbi Levin grew up in New Jersey and worked as the Education Director of a collaborative Hebrew High School program for three Conservative congregations in New Jersey before making aliyah in 1981.
Rabbi Amy Levin lives on Hanaton in Israel from where she provides consulting services to congregations and clergy through her platform: Tzibur Strategies: for Thriving Sacred Communities and Their Leaders. From 2004 to 2014, she served Temple Torat Yisrael, a Conservative congregation in East Greenwich, RI, and she is a past President of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island
Rabbi Levin is the past president of the Rabbinical Assembly of Israel, and is the second woman ordained by the Masorti Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem. Rabbi Levin trained in the "Consulting for Vital Congregations" program of The Alban Institute, has taught at the Schechter Institute and The Conservative Yeshiva. She serves on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards and the Vaad Hakavod, the Ethics Committee, of the international Rabbinical Assembly. Rabbi Levin grew up in New Jersey and worked as the Education Director of a collaborative Hebrew High School program for three Conservative congregations in New Jersey before making aliyah in 1981.
Rabbi Aaron Philmus
Rabbi Aaron Philmus previously served as the rabbi of Temple Torat Yisrael in East Greenwich from 2014 until 2022. He received ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He grew up in New Jersey and met his wife, Valerie, at UMASS Amherst. In his former life he was a Wildlife Ecologist and Jewish Nature Educator. He continues to learn Torah from the earth, but now he also learns Torah from books and people, too. His wife, Valerie, is a professional kosher baker and chef. They are the parents of Sophie and Aeden. Rabbi Aaron loves leading students in song with his guitar as well as exploring Jewish values and spirituality through food, agriculture, and nature connection.
Rabbi Aaron Philmus previously served as the rabbi of Temple Torat Yisrael in East Greenwich from 2014 until 2022. He received ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He grew up in New Jersey and met his wife, Valerie, at UMASS Amherst. In his former life he was a Wildlife Ecologist and Jewish Nature Educator. He continues to learn Torah from the earth, but now he also learns Torah from books and people, too. His wife, Valerie, is a professional kosher baker and chef. They are the parents of Sophie and Aeden. Rabbi Aaron loves leading students in song with his guitar as well as exploring Jewish values and spirituality through food, agriculture, and nature connection.
Rabbi Peter Stein
Rabbi Peter W. Stein is the senior rabbi of Temple B’rith Kodesh in Rochester, New York. He previously served as rabbi of Temple Sinai in Cranston and as associate rabbi of Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh.
Rabbi Stein was ordained and earned an MA in Hebrew Literature at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, studying in Jerusalem and New York City. While at HUC-JIR, he served as President of the Rabbinic Student Association.
His undergraduate studies were at Cornell University, and he also completed the Jewish Leaders Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Rabbi Stein received a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, in May 2024 in recognition of 25 years of distinguished rabbinic leadership.
Rabbi Stein is an alumnus of the Rabbis Without Borders Fellowship of CLAL and the Brickner Fellowship of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He has studied at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem and is a participant in the Pardes North America Mahloket Matters Clergy Fellowship, addressing civil discourse across society. This work at Pardes reinforces Rabbi Stein’s involvement with the One America Movement, combating toxic polarization.
In Rochester, Rabbi Stein is engaged with a number of community organizations. He is past-president of the Rochester Board of Rabbis and Cantors and is a member of the Jewish Federation Board. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School, teaching classes in rabbinic literature and Jewish biblical interpretation.
Nationally, Rabbi Stein has served in a number of leadership roles with the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He is a co-chair of the Joint Commission for Rabbinic Mentoring and is a member of the CCAR Board of Trustees. He has served on camp faculty at three different Union for Reform Judaism camps.
Rabbi Stein has a commitment to social justice work and interfaith endeavors. He is a member of the New York State Hate and Bias Prevention Finger Lakes Regional Council. He is a founding Steering Committee member of the Religious Action Center of New York and a past member of Planned Parenthood’s national Clergy Advocacy Board. In 2015, he walked in Alabama and Georgia as part of the NAACP Journey for Justice, and he has a longstanding engagement with issues of LGBTQ equality and poverty. He participated in a dialogue program and a Papal Audience at the Vatican in 2007 and has been involved in significant relationships with the Catholic, Christian, and Muslim communities. He is proud to nurture connections between TBK and several area churches and mosques, and sits on several area interfaith clergy associations.
Rabbi Stein is a passionate Zionist and active supporter of Israel. He works closely with ARZA, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, and AIPAC, as well as Rochester’s partnership program with the Israeli city of Modi’in. He has led several groups on trips to Israel and has traveled to Israel on many occasions, including as a delegate to the 2015 World Zionist Congress.
Rabbi Stein is an avid tennis player and trombone player. He is married to Amy and together they are the proud parents of Eliana and Ari.
Rabbi Peter W. Stein is the senior rabbi of Temple B’rith Kodesh in Rochester, New York. He previously served as rabbi of Temple Sinai in Cranston and as associate rabbi of Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh.
Rabbi Stein was ordained and earned an MA in Hebrew Literature at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, studying in Jerusalem and New York City. While at HUC-JIR, he served as President of the Rabbinic Student Association.
His undergraduate studies were at Cornell University, and he also completed the Jewish Leaders Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Rabbi Stein received a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, in May 2024 in recognition of 25 years of distinguished rabbinic leadership.
Rabbi Stein is an alumnus of the Rabbis Without Borders Fellowship of CLAL and the Brickner Fellowship of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He has studied at the Pardes Institute in Jerusalem and is a participant in the Pardes North America Mahloket Matters Clergy Fellowship, addressing civil discourse across society. This work at Pardes reinforces Rabbi Stein’s involvement with the One America Movement, combating toxic polarization.
In Rochester, Rabbi Stein is engaged with a number of community organizations. He is past-president of the Rochester Board of Rabbis and Cantors and is a member of the Jewish Federation Board. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School, teaching classes in rabbinic literature and Jewish biblical interpretation.
Nationally, Rabbi Stein has served in a number of leadership roles with the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He is a co-chair of the Joint Commission for Rabbinic Mentoring and is a member of the CCAR Board of Trustees. He has served on camp faculty at three different Union for Reform Judaism camps.
Rabbi Stein has a commitment to social justice work and interfaith endeavors. He is a member of the New York State Hate and Bias Prevention Finger Lakes Regional Council. He is a founding Steering Committee member of the Religious Action Center of New York and a past member of Planned Parenthood’s national Clergy Advocacy Board. In 2015, he walked in Alabama and Georgia as part of the NAACP Journey for Justice, and he has a longstanding engagement with issues of LGBTQ equality and poverty. He participated in a dialogue program and a Papal Audience at the Vatican in 2007 and has been involved in significant relationships with the Catholic, Christian, and Muslim communities. He is proud to nurture connections between TBK and several area churches and mosques, and sits on several area interfaith clergy associations.
Rabbi Stein is a passionate Zionist and active supporter of Israel. He works closely with ARZA, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, and AIPAC, as well as Rochester’s partnership program with the Israeli city of Modi’in. He has led several groups on trips to Israel and has traveled to Israel on many occasions, including as a delegate to the 2015 World Zionist Congress.
Rabbi Stein is an avid tennis player and trombone player. He is married to Amy and together they are the proud parents of Eliana and Ari.
Rabbi Elyse Wechterman
Rabbi Elyse Wechterman is a consultant and coach to rabbis and congregations across North America. She served as the CEO of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) from 2015 until 2024. Before her work at the RRA, she was the spiritual leader of Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
During her tenure with the RRA, the association redefined itself as supporting all its members wherever and however they “rabbi.” Rabbi Elyse was responsible for expanding the RRA’s professional development and continuing education programming and significantly increasing its visibility in the broader community. Rabbi Elyse was instrumental in building trans-denominational partnerships, most especially in the area of rabbinic ethics, and helped to initiate the RRA/Reconstructing Judaism placement commission, which is redesigning the way the Reconstructionist movement supports rabbis in their employment journeys.
Under her leadership at Agudas Achim, the congregation was awarded numerous innovation grants from the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, including a joint outreach grant with Congregation Beth Israel in Woonsocket. Congregation Agudas Achim was the recipient, in partnership with Jewish Family Service, of an initiative grant to create and pilot the Kesher program, a project that place JFS social workers within the congregations to better serve the changing community's needs. In 2007, Congregation Agudas Achim was one of only four congregations nationwide to receive four full years of funding through the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project for creative innovation in congregational learning. During her tenure, Rabbi Elyse helped the congregation celebrate its 100th anniversary and facilitated the purchasing and dedicating of a newly repaired Torah scroll. Rabbi Elyse was a beloved rabbi who officiated the lifecycle events and supervised the education of an entire generation of CAA families.
Rabbi Elyse was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2000 and received a Certificate in Jewish Leadership from the Spertus Institute in 2016. Rabbi Elyse worked at the former Jewish Reconstructionist Federation throughout her rabbinical studies. As JRF’s Mid-Altantic Regional Director and subsequently as Director of Congregational Services, Rabbi Elyse gained significant experience and familiarity with congregational systems and leadership development.
Rabbi Elyse was raised in Port Jefferson, Long Island. She and her husband lived and helped build Jewish communities in Philadelphia, PA, Washington, D.C., Austin, TX, and Attleboro, MA. She now lives in Abington, PA, and is the mother of two adult children, of whom she is very proud. She is a visual artist, organic gardener, and accomplished vegetarian cook.
Rabbi Elyse Wechterman is a consultant and coach to rabbis and congregations across North America. She served as the CEO of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) from 2015 until 2024. Before her work at the RRA, she was the spiritual leader of Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
During her tenure with the RRA, the association redefined itself as supporting all its members wherever and however they “rabbi.” Rabbi Elyse was responsible for expanding the RRA’s professional development and continuing education programming and significantly increasing its visibility in the broader community. Rabbi Elyse was instrumental in building trans-denominational partnerships, most especially in the area of rabbinic ethics, and helped to initiate the RRA/Reconstructing Judaism placement commission, which is redesigning the way the Reconstructionist movement supports rabbis in their employment journeys.
Under her leadership at Agudas Achim, the congregation was awarded numerous innovation grants from the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, including a joint outreach grant with Congregation Beth Israel in Woonsocket. Congregation Agudas Achim was the recipient, in partnership with Jewish Family Service, of an initiative grant to create and pilot the Kesher program, a project that place JFS social workers within the congregations to better serve the changing community's needs. In 2007, Congregation Agudas Achim was one of only four congregations nationwide to receive four full years of funding through the Legacy Heritage Innovation Project for creative innovation in congregational learning. During her tenure, Rabbi Elyse helped the congregation celebrate its 100th anniversary and facilitated the purchasing and dedicating of a newly repaired Torah scroll. Rabbi Elyse was a beloved rabbi who officiated the lifecycle events and supervised the education of an entire generation of CAA families.
Rabbi Elyse was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2000 and received a Certificate in Jewish Leadership from the Spertus Institute in 2016. Rabbi Elyse worked at the former Jewish Reconstructionist Federation throughout her rabbinical studies. As JRF’s Mid-Altantic Regional Director and subsequently as Director of Congregational Services, Rabbi Elyse gained significant experience and familiarity with congregational systems and leadership development.
Rabbi Elyse was raised in Port Jefferson, Long Island. She and her husband lived and helped build Jewish communities in Philadelphia, PA, Washington, D.C., Austin, TX, and Attleboro, MA. She now lives in Abington, PA, and is the mother of two adult children, of whom she is very proud. She is a visual artist, organic gardener, and accomplished vegetarian cook.
Rabbi Alex Weissman
Rabbi Alex Weissman is Director of mekhinah and cultural and spiritual life at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. Previously, he served half-time as the Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, MA, and half-time as the Rabbinic Organizer at T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. He also served as the senior Jewish educator at Brown RISD Hillel for three years.
Alex mentors emerging religious leaders who may be lacking advanced Hebrew skills and Judaic knowledge. By immersing in Hebrew language, Jewish liturgy, texts and practice, students will gain the foundation of knowledge needed to thrive in rabbinic school and beyond. Alex, who completed the mekhinah program himself, brings a patient and relational approach, knowing how challenging and rewarding the material can be.
In his dual role as director of cultural and spiritual life, Alex works with college leadership, faculty and students to reimagine the RRC’s communal experience in the wake of disruptions brought about by COVID-19, with students learning in-person and remotely at various times. More than just a perk, RRC’s rich and nurturing community has longed proved an integral part of rabbinic formation, modeling the kind of community that rabbis can help strengthen and create.
He currently serves on the Ethics Committee of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and on the advisory boards of Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations, and the Inside Out Wisdom and Action Project.
He was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) in 2017, where he fell in love with Talmud study and served a range of communities, including Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City; Temple Shalom of Newton, Mass; Avodah; and Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Greater Philadelphia as a hospice chaplain. He completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Hebrew SeniorLife. During his time at RRC, he received a Tikkun Olam award; the Ann W. Pinkenson Prize in Rabbinic Literature and Civilization; and the Lillian Fern Award for service to the community for his work as the president of the Reconstructionist Student Association.
Prior to rabbinical school, he worked as a community organizer.
Rabbi Alex Weissman is Director of mekhinah and cultural and spiritual life at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. Previously, he served half-time as the Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, MA, and half-time as the Rabbinic Organizer at T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. He also served as the senior Jewish educator at Brown RISD Hillel for three years.
Alex mentors emerging religious leaders who may be lacking advanced Hebrew skills and Judaic knowledge. By immersing in Hebrew language, Jewish liturgy, texts and practice, students will gain the foundation of knowledge needed to thrive in rabbinic school and beyond. Alex, who completed the mekhinah program himself, brings a patient and relational approach, knowing how challenging and rewarding the material can be.
In his dual role as director of cultural and spiritual life, Alex works with college leadership, faculty and students to reimagine the RRC’s communal experience in the wake of disruptions brought about by COVID-19, with students learning in-person and remotely at various times. More than just a perk, RRC’s rich and nurturing community has longed proved an integral part of rabbinic formation, modeling the kind of community that rabbis can help strengthen and create.
He currently serves on the Ethics Committee of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and on the advisory boards of Evolve: Groundbreaking Jewish Conversations, and the Inside Out Wisdom and Action Project.
He was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) in 2017, where he fell in love with Talmud study and served a range of communities, including Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City; Temple Shalom of Newton, Mass; Avodah; and Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Greater Philadelphia as a hospice chaplain. He completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Hebrew SeniorLife. During his time at RRC, he received a Tikkun Olam award; the Ann W. Pinkenson Prize in Rabbinic Literature and Civilization; and the Lillian Fern Award for service to the community for his work as the president of the Reconstructionist Student Association.
Prior to rabbinical school, he worked as a community organizer.
Rabbi Rachel Zerin
Rabbi Rachel Zerin is the Associate Rabbi and Interim Cantorial Soloist at Beth El Temple in West Hartford, Connecticut. Previously, she served as one of the rabbis at Temple Emanu-El of Providence from 2016 to 2021.
Rabbi Zerin is driven by her passion to cultivate sacred community, and to enable people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to access the wisdom of Jewish prayers, texts, and traditions as sources of support when confronting life's joys and challenges.
Rabbi Zerin especially values opportunities to teach classes that explore topics such as Israeli women’s midrashim or Jewish responses to world events; and to help people walk through life’s most tender moments, whether those moments are uniquely personal, or more traditional life cycle events such as welcoming a new child, joining the Jewish people, celebrating a marriage, or honoring and remembering a loved one who has just passed.
As Interim Cantorial Soloist, Rabbi Zerin looks forward to bringing together her background as a classically trained singer, her appreciation for the many layers of meaning in our prayers, her reverence for ritual, and her love of building community through song.
In the Greater Hartford community, Rabbi Zerin has been honored to play a part in strengthening interfaith relations, combating antisemitism, and improving our local community, especially through her work with GHIAA (the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance), and the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council).
A native of Massachusetts, Rabbi Zerin was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2015, where she also received her MA in Talmud and completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Before serving Temple Emanu-El in Providence, she worked for the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme’s Summer School at Cambridge University. Prior to attending JTS, she studied at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, where she first fell in love with Talmud; and earned her BA in Voice Performance and Religion from Syracuse University.
When she isn't helping people connect to each other and our texts and traditions, Rabbi Zerin is usually spending time with her spunky child, cooking, kayaking, crafting, playing board games, drinking coffee, or snuggling with her cats.
Rabbi Rachel Zerin is the Associate Rabbi and Interim Cantorial Soloist at Beth El Temple in West Hartford, Connecticut. Previously, she served as one of the rabbis at Temple Emanu-El of Providence from 2016 to 2021.
Rabbi Zerin is driven by her passion to cultivate sacred community, and to enable people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to access the wisdom of Jewish prayers, texts, and traditions as sources of support when confronting life's joys and challenges.
Rabbi Zerin especially values opportunities to teach classes that explore topics such as Israeli women’s midrashim or Jewish responses to world events; and to help people walk through life’s most tender moments, whether those moments are uniquely personal, or more traditional life cycle events such as welcoming a new child, joining the Jewish people, celebrating a marriage, or honoring and remembering a loved one who has just passed.
As Interim Cantorial Soloist, Rabbi Zerin looks forward to bringing together her background as a classically trained singer, her appreciation for the many layers of meaning in our prayers, her reverence for ritual, and her love of building community through song.
In the Greater Hartford community, Rabbi Zerin has been honored to play a part in strengthening interfaith relations, combating antisemitism, and improving our local community, especially through her work with GHIAA (the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance), and the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council).
A native of Massachusetts, Rabbi Zerin was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2015, where she also received her MA in Talmud and completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Before serving Temple Emanu-El in Providence, she worked for the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme’s Summer School at Cambridge University. Prior to attending JTS, she studied at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, where she first fell in love with Talmud; and earned her BA in Voice Performance and Religion from Syracuse University.
When she isn't helping people connect to each other and our texts and traditions, Rabbi Zerin is usually spending time with her spunky child, cooking, kayaking, crafting, playing board games, drinking coffee, or snuggling with her cats.