The small staff of the Kalsman Institute is extended throughout
North America and Israel via a network of professional and lay leaders impacting our communities through work in
Judaism, health and healing. We call this team, over one hundred strong, the Kalsman Partners.
The Kalsman Partners’efforts include touching people’s lives through congregations, social service
agencies, educational institutions and innovative organizations. The intention and result of their influence is
to actualize the work of Jews around the globe–to increase healing in the world.
The Kalsman Partner network was built by invitation only. The original core was brought together for retreat at
the Brandeis Bardin Institute (BBI) in March 2001 to help shape the mission and direction of the Kalsman Institute
while reformulating and rethinking the Jewish community’s impact and work in illness and wellness . The Kalsman
Partner group, with the occasional inclusion of new Jewish leaders, has then reconvened every other year at BBI for two
days of stimulating learning, networking and sharing at our unique intersection of Judaism, health and healing.
Name
Position
Organization
Abarbanel, Jay, PhD
Staff Consultant
Kalsman Institute
Abarbanel, Jean, BA
Co-Chair
URJ, Jewish Family Concerns
Abraham, Marla, MAJCS, MSW
Interim Director
HUC-JIR. School of Jewish Communal Service
Ackerman, Naomi
Theater Artist
Address, Richard F., Rabbi, DMin
Consultant-Specialist
URJ, Caring Community and Family Concerns Jewish Sacred Aging (Founder)
Alpers, Ruth, Rabbi
Staff Chaplain & Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Dept. of Pastoral Care
Alpert, Gregg, MAJCS
National Director
HUC-JIR, eLearning Department
Amir, Yehoyada, Rabbi, PhD
Director, Israel Rabbinic Program
HUC-JIR, Jerusalem
Andiman, Ronald, MD
Neurologist
Southern California Neurological Medical Group, Inc.
Angel, Camille Shira, Rabbi
Congregation Sha'ar Zahav
Aron, Bill
Photographer
Bill Aron Photography
Asch, Adrienne, PhD, MS
Edward and Robin Milstein Professor of Bioethics
Yeshiva University, Wurzweiler School of Social Work
Axonovitz, Judy, LCSW
Director, Skirball Cultural Center Program
USC School of Social Work
Barenbaum, Michael, Rabbi
Rabbi Emeritus
Congregation Rodef Shalom
Behrman, David
Publisher
Behrman House Publishing
Berg, Alan, Rabbi
Peninsula Temple Beth El
Berk, Bill, Rabbi
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple Chai
Berk, Aliza, Rabbi
Director, Jewish Healing Center at Jewish Family Service in San Diego
Jewish Family Services
Bernhardt, Jeff, MAJCS, MSW
Community of Caring Director
Temple Aliyah
Bernstein, Seth L., Rabbi
Temple Sinai
Blumberg, Herman J., Rabbi
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple Shir Tikva
Bocarsky, Wendy, RN
R.N.
Congregation Kol Haneshama
Boxt, Rosalee Will, Cantor
Temple Emanuel of Maryland
Braun, Peter
Consultant, Former President/CEO
Alzheimer's Association
Breitman, Barbara, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care Psychotherapist and Spiritual Director
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Lev Shomea
Brener, Anne, LCSW, MA, MSW
Psychotherapist and Spiritual Direction Supervisor
Yedidya Center
Buksbaum, Lisa Honig
Burnam, Marcia
Cardin, Nina Beth, Rabbi
JCC of Greater Baltimore
Caro, Susan, Cantor
Cantor, Wilshire Boulevard Temple and Chaplain
Kaiser Permanente Hospice and Palliative Care
Chalin, Fran, MSW, MJCS
Chaplain Resident
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care
Chasen, Kenneth M., Rabbi
Leo Baeck Temple
Chernow, Mari, Rabbi
Temple Chai
Citrin, Paul J., Rabbi
Congregation Beth Israel
Cole, Thomas, PhD
Professor and Director of the McGovern Center for Health, Humanities, and the Human Spirit
University of Texas Health Science Center
Cowan, Rachel, Rabbi
Executive Director
Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Cushman, Philip, PhD
Psychologist
Cutter, Georgianne, LCSW
Private Counselor and Consultant with Middle and High School Students
Dafni, Na'ama
Director
IRAC
Diamond, Mark, Rabbi
Executive Vice President
Board of Rabbis of Southern California
Dickstein, Stephanie, Rabbi, LMSW
Spiritual Care Coordinator
Shira Ruskay Center/ JBFCS
Dorff, Elliot, Rabbi
Rector, Sol & Anne Dorff Distinguished Service Prof. In Philosophy, Co-Chair Bioethics Dept.
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, University of Judaism
Eber, Leslie M.
Professor Emeritus
UCLA
Edwards, Lisa Ann, Rabbi
Beth Chayim Chadashim
Eilberg, Amy, Rabbi
Rabbi, Educator, Spiritual Director
Yedidiya
Eisen, Arnold M., PhD
Chancelor
Jewish Theological Seminary
Engelman, Barbie, MFT
Director of Programs
Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters
Ettun, Rachel
Therapist
HUC-Jerusalem
Feinstein, Ed, Rabbi
Valley Beth Shalom
Feinstein, Barney, MD
Physician
Feldman, Elizabeth, MD
Pediatric/Adolescent Coordinator
UIC/Illinois Masonic Family Practice Residency
Feldstein, Bruce, MD
Chaplain, Director and Founder
The Jewish Chaplaincy at Stanford University Medical Center
Fenner, Natan, Rabbi
Bay Area Jewish Healing Center
Flam, Nancy, Rabbi
Director
Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Fox, Karen L., Rabbi, MFT, DDiv
Wilshire Blvd. Temple
Frank, Karen, RN
Project SHIN Nurse
MetroWest Jewish Health & Healing Center
Freedman, Anne
Associate Director
Jewish Family Service
Freeman, David L., MD
Physician and Author
Friedman, Dayle, Rabbi, MAJCS, MSW
Director
Growing Older Hiddur: The Center for Aging & Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Friedman, Debbie, HUC Faculty
American Jewish Composer, Singer, and Recording Artist
DebbieFriedman.com
Fuchs, Victor, MA, PhD
Henry J. Kaiser, Jr., Professor of Economics and of Health Research and Policy, Emeritus; FSI Senior Fellow; CHP/PCOR Core Faculty Member
Stanford School of Medicine
Fuchs Kreimer, Nancy, Rabbi, PhD
Director of Religious Studies Program and Associate Professor
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Geber, Beryl, PhD
Associate Executive Vice President, Policy Development
Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
Glicksman, Gail Gaisin, Rabbi, PhD
Dean of Students and Assistant Professor of the Social Sciences
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Goldstein, H. Rafael, Rabbi, BCC
Director of Pastoral Care
Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York
Dynamics of Hope Consulting
Goldstein, Michael, PhD
Professor
UCLA School of Public Health, , UCLA Department of Sociology and School of Public Health - Department of Community Health Sciences
Goor, Donald, Rabbi
Temple Judea
Gordon, Harvey, MD
Clinical Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Gotlieb, Michael, Rabbi
Kehillat Ma'arav
Grefe, Dagmar, Rev., PhD
Manager, Spiritual Care Services and ACPE Supervisor
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Hausman, Carol, PhD
Coordinator
Washington Jewish Healing Network
Henkin, Alan, Rabbi, PhD
Union Rabbi, West District
URJ
Herzlinger, Jaclyn M., RN
Temple Sha-arey Shalom
Hoffman, Lawrence, Rabbi
Professor of Liturgy, Worship, and Ritual
HUC-JIR, NY
Hornstein, Jim, MD
Family Medicine
Howard, Carla, Rabbi
Founder and Executive Director
Jewish Healing and Hospice Center of Los Angeles
Kaplan, Sally
Planning Executive for End of Life Care
UJA Federation, New York
Karff, Samuel, Rabbi
Rabbi Emeritus
Congregation Beth Israel
Kelman, Stuart, Rabbi
Congregation Netivot Shalom
Kent, Evan, Cantor
Temple Isaiah
Kessler, Susie
Makom Program Director
Jewish Community Center in Manhattan
Kipnes, Paul, Rabbi
Congregation Or Ami
Klepper, Jeffrey, Cantor
Cantor
Jeff Klepper's Website & Blog Temple Sinai of Sharon MA
Knobel, Peter S., Rabbi
Beth Emet, The Free Synagogue
Kodmur, Lisa, MPH
Program Manager
L.A. Care Health Plan
Koransky, Carol
Executive Director
The Jewish Federation - Valley Alliance
Kupetz, Jonathan, Rabbi
Temple Beth Israel
Lazar, David, Rabbi
RIKMA
Lehman, Barbara
Graphic Designer
Leibovich, Maya, Rabbi
Kehilat Mevasseret Zion
Leveen, Adriane, MSW, PhD
HUC-JIR-NY
Levin, Daniel E., Rabbi
Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
Levin, Jeff, PhD, MPH
University Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health
Baylor University
Levine, Alexandra, MD
Chief Medical Officer
City of Hope
Levy, John
Managing Partner
Shalom Equity Fund
Levy, Carol
Senior Vice President, Sylvia Weisz Women's Campaign
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
Litvak, Richard, Rabbi
Senior Rabbi and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Temple Beth El
Marder, Sheldon, Rabbi
Chaplain
Jewish Home
Margolis, Judith
Artist
http://www.JudithMargolis.com http://www.brightideabooks.com
Matlins, Stuart M.
Publisher and Founder
Jewish Lights Publishing
McCullough, Nan
Volunteer Coordinator
Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Mencher, Edythe, Rabbi, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Psychology Today Profile
Mendelson, Sander, MD
Physician
Washington Hospital Center
Menitoff, Rita, MS
Mintz, Dale, MPA, CHES
Director, National Dept. Women's Health
Hadassah
Mirel, James, Rabbi
Temple B'nai Torah
Mishkin, Doug, JD
Partner
Patton Boggs
Moskowitz, Steven, Rabbi
Temple Israel of Long Beach
Offel, Janet I., Rabbi
Rabbi
Temple Kol Tikvah
Olitzky, Kerry, PhD
Executive Director
Jewish Outreach Institute
Ozarowski, Joseph, Rabbi, D Min
Rabbinic Chaplain
Jewish Child and Family Services, Jewish Healing Network of Chicago
Pearce, Stephen S., Rabbi, PhD
Congregation Emanu-El
Peretz, Cheryl, Rabbi
Associate Dean
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, University of Judaism
Ponnet, Chris Father
Pastor & Director, Director, Chaplain
St. Camillus Center for Pastoral Care/LAC+USC, LAC+USC Medical Center Department of Spiritual Care, LAC+USC Medical Center, Norris and USC University Hospital
Remen, Rachel Naomi, MD
Physician and Author
UCSF School of Medicine; Commonweal Cancer Help Program
Root Wolpe, Paul, PhD
Director and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Bioethics
Emory University Center for Ethics
Rosen, Gil
Steering Committee Member
Kalsman Institute
Rosen, Harriet
Steering Committee Member
Kalsman Institute
Rosenthal, Susan J., LCSW
Coordinator
National Center for Jewish Healing, JBFCS
Schimmel, Selma
CEO, Founder
Vital Options International
Schindler, Judy, Rabbi
Rabbi
Temple Beth El
Schnell, Karen, Chaplain
Associate Director of Spiritual Care and Director of CPE
UCLA Medical Center, Department of Spiritual Care
Schulman, David I., JD
Supervising Attorney
City Attorney's Office/ AIDS/HIV Discrimination Unit
Shapiro, Rami, Rabbi
Rabbi and Author
Sharzer, Len, Rabbi, MD
Jewish Theological Seminary
Silverman, Gila, MPH
Doctoral Student, Kalsman Partner
Silverman, Sharona
Director
Deutsch Family Shalom Center, Temple Chai
Silverman, Howard, MD, MS
Clinical Professor, Departments of Family and Community Medicine and Basic Medical Services
University of Arizona College of Medicine
Sirbu, Rebecca, Rabbi
Director
Rabbis Without Borders
Smith, Eleanor, Rabbi
Medical Doctor
Northshore University Healthsystems
Sokoll, Marjorie, BSW, MEd
Director
Jewish Healing Connections, Jewish Family & Children's Service
Speyer, Barbara, Rabbi
Chaplain
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Spiegel, Marcia Cohn, LCSW
Author and Jewish Communal Professional
Faith Trust Institute, The
Spruijt-Metz, Donna, PhD
Associate Professor of Research
USC Institute of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Stein, Regina
Director of Jewish Education
Hadassah
Steinman, Ellie
Rabbi
Temple Sinai
Stern, Shira, Rabbi
The Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling
Sunderland, Ronald, Reverend, EdD
Executive Director
Interfaith Care Partners
Tal, Liliana S.
Directora de Limud, Nucleo de Healing e Bikur Cholim
Comunidade Shalom
Teutsch, David, Rabbi, PhD
Director, Levin-Leiber Program in Jewish Ethics and the Center for Jewish Ethics
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Thal, Linda, EdD
Co-Director
Yedidyah Center for Jewish Spiritual Direction
Tobin, Allan J., PhD
Managing Director
MRSSI: Advisor to High Q and CHDI Inc.
Troster, Lawrence, Rabbi
Director
GreenFaith Fellowship Program
Warshaw, Susan, Rabbi
Rabbi
Temple Bat Yam
Wax, Pamela, Rabbi
Spiritual Care Coordinator
New York-Westchester Jewish Communal Services
Weber, Sally, LCSW
Director of Jewish Community Programs and Volunteer Services
Jewish Family Service
Weinberg, Robert, PhD
Director, Experiment in Congregational Education
Rhea Hirsch School of Education, HUC-JIR
Weintraub, Simkha Y., Rabbi, LCSW
Rabbinic Director
National Center for Jewish Healing
Weisel, Mimi, Rabbi
Chaplain and Community Rabbi, San Francisco Bay Area
California Pacific Medical Center
Weiss, Kenneth, Rabbi
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple Mount Sinai
Weiss, Eric, Rabbi
Executive Director
Bay Area Jewish Healing Center
Weiss, Ruchama
Artist, Author, Educator
Wiener, Nancy, Rabbi, DMin
Clinical Director of the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Center for Pastoral Counseling
HUC-JIR/NY
Wilson, Betty
Asst. Executive Director
City of Los Angeles Department on Disability
Windmueller, Steven, PhD
Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk Chair in Jewish Communal Service
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Winn, Albert, MFA
Photographer
Albert J. Winn Photography
Wolf, Michelle, MAJCS, MPA
Assistant Director, Planning & Allocations
Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
Yarlott, Sandee, Reverend
Former Director of the Spiritual Care Department
UCLA Medical Center
Yoskowitz, Herbert A., Rabbi
Adat Shalom Synagogue
Yoskowitz, Rachel, BSN, MPH
Director, Health & Healing Initiatives
Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit
Zecher, Elaine, Rabbi
Temple Israel
Zendle, Les J., MD
Southern California Permanente Medical Group
Zinner, David
Executive Director
Kavod v'Nichum
Zolla, Marshall S., JD
Certified Family Law Specialist
Law Offices of Marshall Zolla
Zoloth, Laurie, PhD
Professor of Medical Ethics and Humanities, Feinberg School of Medicine and Bio Ethics
Northwestern University Program in Medical Ethics and Humanities