Clergy
Rabbi Rachel Ackerman
Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Ackerman (she/her) has been Temple Shalom’s Senior Rabbi since July 2018 after serving as our Rabbi Educator/Associate Rabbi/Assistant Rabbi for seven years. She is originally from Westfield, NJ and attended Brandeis University as an undergraduate, with majors in psychology and sociology, minors in Hebrew and Judaic Studies, and a certification as a pre-school educator. She continued her studies ... Read full biography
Cantor Ze'evi Tovlev
Cantor
Cantor Tovlev (they/them) is originally from Newton, Massachusetts. They grew up in the Reform Jewish world, discovering their passion for participatory musical prayer as a junior choir member at Temple Shalom of Newton and a songleader at URJ Eisner Camp. A composer of liturgical music, a passionate educator, and one of the first out transgender cantors ordained in known history, Cantor Tovlev’s work centers on creating a sense of belonging in Jewish community. ... Read full biography
Rabbi Joshua Gischner
Rabbi Educator
Rabbi Josh (he/him) is originally from Rockland County, NY where he grew up in his synagogue volunteering in the religious school and singing in the junior choir. A creative type who is passionate about inclusion, Rabbi Josh is most excited when making the Jewish canon accessible to all ages, and is known to use magic tricks, puppetry, theatre, humor, and other art forms in his work as a Jewish educator. Rabbi Josh is passionate about supporting individuals in discovering their own unique Torah that can transform and better the world. ... Read full biography
Email: ten.molahselpmet@hsojibbar
Rabbi JoHanna Potts
Adjunct Rabbi and Jewish Educator
Rabbi Potts (she/her) brings to Temple Shalom a vast array of experiences in education including Director of Student Affairs at Washington University in St. Louis, Director of Sports Information at Grinnell College, camp director in Green Bay, WI and was the Director of Education at Temple Shalom twice and interim Director once! Rabbi Potts has continued to be involved in teaching and leading Torah Study at Temple Shalom for the past 27 years. ... Read full biography
Email: ten.molahselpmet@sttopj
Rabbi Bruce E. Kahn D.D.
Rabbi Emeritus
After serving Temple Shalom as its rabbi from 1980-88 and as its senior rabbi from 1988-2001, on August 15, 2001 Rabbi Kahn (he/him) became the first and only Temple Shalom Rabbi Emeritus, a lifetime appointment. As our emeritus, he continues to volunteer rabbinically in a host of ways in service to the congregation. Ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1974, he spent the next two years on active duty as a US Navy Chaplain. He then continued his military career in the Navy’s Ready Reserve Force while he accepted the pulpit of Congregation Or Ami in Richmond, Virginia before coming to Shalom in 1980...
Email: ten.molahselpmet@nhakibbar