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Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler has been the spiritual leader of Kehillat Lev Shalem, the Woodstock Jewish Congregation, since 1988. During that time, Rabbi Jonathan, as he is called, has overseen the growth of the congregation from a small once-a-month gathering into a thriving Jewish community with 400 member families and thousands of friends and supporters. The synagogue is known throughout the Hudson Valley of New York and beyond for its welcoming and heart-opening atmosphere, innovative and inspiring approach to religious practice, and great music. Kehillat Lev Shalem means The Congregation of a Full Heart, and Rabbi Jonathan has a gift for touching hearts and opening minds in an atmosphere of genuine respect.
Rabbi Jonathan is an accomplished singer and folk guitarist. His most recent recording is a collaboration with African American folksingers Kim and Reggie Harris entitled "Let My People Go: A Jewish and African American Celebration of Freedom".
Rabbi Jonathan was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1989, and is a member of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. Prior to his rabbinical training, Rabbi Jonathan was a professional dancer, mime and children¹s performer, with a focus on improvisation. He lives in Woodstock, New York with his wife Ellen Jahoda, a visual artist and dancer, and their two daughters.
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Karen Tashman; Executive Director
Karen Tashman serves as the Executive Director of Kehillat Lev Shalem / The Woodstock Jewish Congregation, joining the congregation in July 2007. Karen comes to us with an extensive background having spent over 20 years in Jewish communal work, most recently serving as the Executive Director of Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta, Georgia (1999-2007) and as the Rosh Chinuch (head of education) for Camp Ramah Darom (2002-2006). Karen’s love of synagogue life and passion for celebrating life through Torah values is contagious, making her compassionate, responsive to the needs of our community, and consistently striving to provide you with exceptional service.
Karen is married to Dr Jeffrey Tashman and the mother of four, Philip, Shayna, Rebecca and Danielle.
Contact her at: Karen@wjcshul.org or by telephone (845) 679-2218 ext. 2
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Rabbi Michael Rothbaum; Director of Congregational Learning
Rabbi Michael Rothbaum (“Rabbi Mike” is just fine!), is thrilled to be joining WJC as Director of Congregational Learning.
Rabbi Mike received his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Economics from New College of Florida, that state’s public honors college, and rabbinic ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York in 2006, a leader in pluralistic Judaism.
Since discovering the beauty of Torah as a college student, Jewish education has become Rabbi Mike's great passion. He has helped design, implement and teach educational programming in a variety of settings, including religious school and B'nai Mitzvah training, and served in administrative capacities both as Camp Director and Youth Director. He brings experience as a pulpit rabbi for Reconstructionist Temple Beth Israel in Maywood, NJ, and helped build Jewish community as Campus Rabbi for Hillels of Westchester, serving Sarah Lawrence College and SUNY Purchase.
His work has included extensive experience with community and religious social justice organizations, including the New York Forum of Concerned Religious Leaders, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, and the Committee for the Human Rights of Immigrants. In addition, he is an alumnus of Seminary Summer, a joint project of the AFL-CIO and Interfaith Worker Justice, bringing labor organizers together with clergy.
Rabbi Mike's religious-based activism has been covered in several media outlets, including CNN and WABC-TV, and a sermon of his was included in the anthology Peace, Justice, and Jews: Reclaiming Our Tradition, published by Bunim and Bannigan. Outside of Torah, his interests include fair wages, Bob Dylan, and an extra dessert.
Rabbi Mike and his partner, opera singer Anthony Russell, now live in Hudson, NY.
Contact him at 845-679-2218, ext 6 or by email at rabbimike@wjcshul.org
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