The following is from Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel.
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI), a Reform congregation in South Orange, has announced that Rabbi Alexandra “Allie” Klein will join the synagogue’s clergy, effective July 1, 2015. Klein earned an MA in Hebrew literature from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), the Reform movement’s seminary, and received s’micha – rabbinic ordination – on May 3. Rabbi Klein will be active in all aspects of the temple’s life including teaching all ages, working with b’nai mitzvah and officiating at services, and pastoral care.
TSTI’s senior rabbi Daniel Cohen said, “Throughout the search process we were consistently impressed by the caliber of the students approaching rabbinic ordination. Rabbi Klein was, however, far and away the individual we hoped to engage and we are gratified that she will be joining us. Although just ordained, Rabbi Klein brings a wealth of experience of work within the Jewish community. We look forward to the richness and enthusiasm she will bring to the TSTI community.”
A native of Montclair, N.J., Klein has extensive experience in Jewish education, programming, Jewish summer camps, and pulpit work. She was most recently a student rabbi in Fredericksburg, Va., where she served a broad array of communal needs. Other professional experiences as a rabbinic student include serving as the co-coordinator of Synagogue 3000’s pilot initiative with Jewish young adults called “Next Dor NYC,” the pastoral counseling intern at Central Synagogue in Manhattan, and the rabbinic intern at DOROT in Manhattan, a leading social service organization. She has also worked in a variety of roles in summer camps, from programming to serving as a liaison with families of special needs children.
“I’m delighted to be joining TSTI and working with Rabbi Cohen and Cantors Rebecca Moses and Joan Finn,” said Rabbi Klein. “I feel my experience working with a broad range of people, from the very young to the very old, those with special needs and those seeking ways to connect with Judaism, will serve TSTI’s diverse community well.”
Klein has won numerous academic honors and awards from HUC-JIR, including the highly competitive Bonnie and Daniel Tisch Rabbinical Fellowship, which enabled her to study innovative religious practices in both Jewish and interfaith settings. She received her BA in Psychology from Haverford College.
TSTI will hold several events during the summer for its members to meet and become acquainted with Klein.
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, located at 432 Scotland Road serves member families from Maplewood, the Oranges, Livingston, Millburn, Short Hills and surrounding areas. The vibrant congregation offers Jewish preschool, Religious school, teen programs, lifelong learning for adults, and a full complement of religious services and cultural programs each month. For more information, visit www.tsti.org.
