Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe is a mother, musician, and spiritual educator. She created and leads an emerging spiritual community of folks rooted in music, nature, and Jewish wisdom called Ma’alot. She studied religion and music as an undergraduate at Emory and dove into Judaism’s ancient connection with nature through Wilderness Torah in Berkeley, CA. She spent a year studying Jewish music through the Rising Song Institute where she recorded her third album, Ruach Neshama. Wolpe shares music and Torah through her website arielwolpe.com and on TikTok @rabbiimma. Wolpe currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, two daughters, and six chickens.

Ask her about: Spirituality through music, Nature, farming, feminist interpretations of Jewish culture and ritual, and what it means to be Jewish in 2023

New Rabbi in town – Rabbi David Helfand is approaching his one year of being here in Atlanta! Rabbi David a master community builder, a passionate experiential educator, and gifted storyteller. A diehard Kansas City sports fan. When not watching the Royals or Chiefs, you can find him preparing a delicious cholent for Shabbat guests, reading, traveling the world, or admiring perhaps one of the greatest kippah and sock collections this side of the Mississippi. Be prepared to learn, laugh and deepen your love for Judaism.

Ask him about: His deep love of camp, making a new city feel like home, spiritual counseling, his work in Jewish rehab and addiction and sports

Kelly Cohen has spent her career building meaningful, dynamic Jewish experiences for children, teens, and adults. Kelly is passionate about creating opportunities for “embodied literacy” and finding new ways for people to live and experience their Judaism. Kelly is also the creator of the Parsha Storybook Project, an online resource for early childhood Torah literacy. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Experiential Jewish Education at the Marcus JCC in Atlanta. Prior studies include Near Easter, and Judaic Studies, and a MA in Jewish Education. She is married to Drew Cohen, Director of the Performing Arts Academy at The Weber School, and has two children.

Ask her about: Innovation, entrepreneurship, Torah accessibility, raising kids, and creating a holistic experience

Rabbi Malka Packer-Monroe is a Reconstructionist Rabbi and life cycle officiant in Atlanta. She is the Founding Director of 18Doors Atlanta, which empowers and supports interfaith couples and families. ​Rabbi Malka helps folks discover deeper meaning, joy, and spirituality in their daily lives. Her passion is creating inspiring and relevant rituals and ceremonies and invigorating Jewish practices.

Prior studies include Elementary Education, Creative Arts in Learning, English and Women’s Studies. Malka moved to Atlanta with her wife, Mercy, in 2015; they have two little kiddos who they adore.

Ask her about: Creating inclusive and welcoming communities, supporting interfaith couples and families, Jewish creativity, and navigating addiction and recovery

Rebecca Keren Eisenstadt is a Rabbi and private educator. She graduated with Honors from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Rebecca has been working as an on-demand Rabbi, B’nai Mitzvah, Hebrew and Judaic Studies tutor for more than 15 years, combining her loves of Judaism, music, and performance. She works with various synagogues in Manhattan and also officiates weddings, funerals, baby namings, bespoke holiday gatherings and other Jewish life cycle events. Rebecca is currently developing a follow-documentary series about her busy life as a young female Rabbi.

Ask her about: Her days at art school, combining passions, music, filmmaking, and Jewish life cycle events

Rabbi Shayna Golkow Zauzmer is the Assistant Rabbi at Park Avenue Synagogue. Originally from Cherry Hill, NJ, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and hosting Shabbat dinners, and she is passionate about deepening meaningful Jewish living and learning. Before she came to PAS in July 2022, she was the Second Rabbi at Temple Aliyah in Los Angeles. She and her husband, Ben, are so happy to be back on the east coast!

Ask her about: End-of-life ritual and reconciling with loss, psychology, being in nature, and how to be the most welcoming host 

Lisa Friedman is a widely recognized expert in Jewish Disability Inclusion and has been a Consultant for congregations, schools, camps, and other organizations for over twenty years. She coaches communities in the development of inclusive practices for faculty, youth professionals, clergy, leadership, teens, and families through dialogue and interactive workshops. Currently the Director of Education at Temple Beth-El in Central New Jersey, Lisa taught special education in the New Jersey public schools.

Ask her about: DEIB, Counseling, Psychology, and facilitating ritual at your next Shabbat dinner