A supportive community of rabbis in the Greater Philadelphia area
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We represent a diverse community with one ultimate goal…
Contribute to a strong, vibrant, and diverse Jewish community in Philadelphia.
Our Mission
Build meaningful relationships among our diverse community of local rabbis
Inspire local rabbis to be stronger and more effective communal leaders
Infuse rabbinic perspectives into community conversations by collaborating with local organizations
Support Philadelphia’s multi-faith and inter-faith communities by providing insightful Jewish perspectives
Professional Staff
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Valarie Hurwitz - Administrator
Valarie Hurwitz held the role of Executive Director of Beth Tikvah B’nai Jeshurun. She has been involved with BTBJ for more than 48 years, starting as the first preschool teacher in 1976. As the preschool and synagogue grew and flourished, so did Valarie’s responsibilities. She became Preschool Director and Synagogue Administrator in 1983 and went on to launch and manage the Extended Care Hours Program, Kindergarten and Camp programs. In 2007, as a result of the synagogue’s growth, she assumed the position of full-time Executive Director. Valarie retired in June 2024 and still maintains her passion for BTBJ and preschool as a mentor, consultant and guest presenter.
Valarie received her BS in Education from Temple University and her MS in Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University. Val is a proud mother of two sons and a grandmother of four children and young adults.
Valarie is honored to serve as Administrator of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia.
Executive Committee Officers
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David Levin - President
Rabbi David Levin is the director of the Jewish Relationships Initiative, helping seekers of meaning with connections to others and understanding end-of-life challenges.
He is also a community activist, working with the JCRC of the Jewish Federation on several projects, including the New Golden Age, a Black-Jewish Alliance. Rabbi Levin serves on the Regional Council of the New Israel Fund, and the Hillel Board at Temple University.
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Lance Sussman - Vice President
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D., is Rabbi Emeritus of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel and the immediate past Chair of the Board of Governors of Gratz College. Currently, he also serves as a Vice President of the Board of Rabbis of Philadelphia, Vice President of the North American Board of Rabbis, and Senior Scholar of Roots of Reform Judaism.
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Rabbi Eric Mollo-Treasurer
Eric Mollo is the Associate Rabbi at Main Line Reform Temple Beth Elohim in Wynnewood. He is the co-chair of RAC-PA, the Pennsylvania branch of the Religious Action center of Reform Judaism based in Washington D.C., and serves on the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia. Rabbi Mollo was ordained by HUC-JIR and earned his BAs from Penn State University.
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Anna Boswell-Levy
Rabbi Anna Boswell-Levy has served as the rabbi and spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Emet since July 2014. She is a creative educator, service leader, and ritual maker, infusing song and spirit into her services and teachings.
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Erica Steelman - Vice President
Rabbi Erica Steelman is Staff Chaplain at the Horsham Center for Jewish Life in North Wales, PA. She is also the founder and director of the Center’s LGBTQ Initiative and Task Force. She lives in Philadelphia, PA.
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Beth Janus - Ex Officio Past President
Rabbi Beth Janus is a community rabbi working as a chaplain at Lafayette Redeemer. She also teaches and officiates at life cycle events. Rabbi Janus was ordained at Hebrew Union College in NYC. She loves showing people how Judaism is meaningful, relevant, and joyful. She is passionate about bringing Judaism's wisdom to the healing of our fractious world.
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David Ackerman - Ex Officio Past President
Rabbi David Ackerman has served as Beth Am Israel’s rabbi since 2009. He is on the board of the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at Penn and the editorial committee of the Conservative Movement’s prayer book, Siddur Lev Shalem. Rabbi Ackerman is a chair of the Ethics Committee of Jewish Family and Children’s Services. He is motivated by the principles of community organizing and our tradition’s call to repair the world.
Executive Committee Members At-Large
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Megan GoldMarche
Rabbi Megan is the Executive Director of Tribe 12. She was ordained at JTS and has worked with the young adult Jewish community for almost 20 years. She and her family, her wife Paige and their daughters Brianna and Rori, recently moved to Mt. Airy and are loving it.
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Dasi Fruchter
Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter is the founder and spiritual leader of the South Philadelphia Shtiebel, a modern orthodox community in South Philadelphia. Rabbanit Fruchter was ordained in 2016 by Yeshivat Maharat.
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Lonnie Kleinman
Rabbi Lonnie Kleinman is the Associate Director of Training and Education at Keshet. She is originally from Tucson, AZ and was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. She lives in Mt Airy with her dog and hikes in the woods most mornings.
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Kevin Kleinman
Rabbi Kleinman was ordained by Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2009 and served as the Associate Rabbi for Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA before beginning his tenure at MLRT in 2016.
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Yosef Zarnighian
Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian is the Rabbi of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, PA. He studied at Yeshivat Birkat Moshe in Maale Adumim, Israel, and at Yeshiva University, before pursuing his Rabbinical Ordination. Rabbi Zarnighian received his rabbinical ordination from the Sheheber Sephardic Center in Jerusalem, under Rabbi Yaakov Peretz and Rabbi Shlomo Kassin. Prior to serving at Mikveh Israel, he served as the Rabbi for Careone at Teaneck, NJ, and managed the Kashrut standards for numerous catering establishments across the U.S. Rabbi Zarnighian is also a Chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
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Beth Kalisch
Rabbi Beth Kalisch has served as the spiritual leader of Beth David Reform Congregation in Gladwyne since 2013. She was ordained by HUC-JIR and earned her BA from Yale University. She also serves on the leadership team of RAC-PA, the Reform Movement's new statewide social justice project, and lives with her family in Center City.
Images on this website are by the following: Yael Pachino Photography, Susan Pardys, and Rivkah Walton. Headshots for staff, board members, and featured presenters are provided by other sources.
