Am Shalom’s Spiritual Leader Search Committee is delighted to announce that we have an INTERIM plan for our Spiritual Leadership beginning January 2024.

We are still hard at work in our search for a permanent spiritual leader.

Rabbi Miicah Streiffer has agreed to be our ‘Lead’ Interim Rabbi. He will be leading one Shabbat service per month and will be with us for the High Holidays.  Rabbi Streiffer’s first service with us will be on January 20, 2024.

Cantor Ben Silverberg, whom many of you already know, will also be leading services for us one Shabbat a month from January 13, 2024 to April 27, 2024.

Howard Kamen, who joined us in the Fall for one service, will be leading our service on January 27, 2024.

More info to come as we line up clergy for our ongoing services!!!

 

 

Rabbi Micah Streiffer is excited to be part of the Am Shalom community this coming year!

A teacher, musician, writer, and lifelong student, Micah is known for his engaging teaching style and his ability to make Jewish texts and ideas come to life. He served for 12 years as rabbi of Kol Ami in Thornhill, Ontario, and now serves as its Rabbi Emeritus. More recently, Micah is the Founder of LAASOK, a virtual Beit Midrash (“House of Study”) where liberal Jewish learners can deepen their connection with Judaism through meaningful engagement with sacred texts. In addition, he hosts the popular “Seven Minute Torah” podcast.

Micah was ordained a rabbi at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 2007, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Jewish thought at McMaster University. He has three teenaged sons, all of whom are taller than he is!

 

 

Ben Silverberg is more than just a Cantor; he’s a life coach with 20+ years of experience as a Cantor and educator.

He is licensed by the Province of Ontario to provide full wedding services for Jewish couples that are unique and personalized to suit your vision.  He has also had the honor of performing baby naming ceremonies for many happy new parents and provides Bar and Bat Mitzvah Lessons.

In addition to his cantorial and educational roles, Cantor Ben serves at the University of Toronto, fundraising for scholarships for students facing financial difficulties. This work embodies his teachings about the importance of sharing resources and lifting up the less fortunate, making him not just a spiritual leader, but also a role model in tangible acts of charity and social justice.