Rabbi Marc Rudolph

Rabbi Marc Rudolph was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  He earned a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston University.  Following his graduation from Boston University, Rabbi Rudolph worked as a psychotherapist, supervisor, and consultant for many years in community mental health and in private practice.  In 2004, Rabbi Rudolph was ordained as a Rabbi from the Academy for Jewish Religion, an independent, pluralistic seminary in New York City.

Rabbi Rudolph and his wife Middy have two sons, Mario and Ariel.  Mario is married and lives in West Hartford, Connecticut with his wife, Leslie and their 4 month old son, Daniel.  Ariel is a recent college graduate living in San Francisco.

The Academy for Jewish Religion was founded in 1956. The Academy has been at the forefront of pluralistic rabbinic and cantorial training. Graduates and students serve both movement-affiliated and non-affiliated congregations in North America and around the world, fulfilling the needs of Klal Yisrael in this post-denominational era. The Academy for Jewish Religion is unique because their teachings respectfully span the full spectrum of Judaism. The faculty and students cross denominational lines, representing the full spectrum of the Jewish community. AJR is the only seminary committed to training rabbis and cantors as equal partners in spiritual leadership.

Cantor Hasha Musha Perman

Cantor Hasha Musha Perman has been a leader of Congregation Beth Shalom since 1996. Her beautiful voice and engaging personality have attracted both congregants and visitors alike to attend Shabbat and High Holiday services. She is a member of the American Conference of Cantors and the Cantors Assembly and has received numerous honors including the prestigious Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award. Hasha holds a B.A., Cum Laude in Theatre from the University of Maryland along with an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from Ohio University. She is also a recording artist and stage performer. Hasha’s true leadership is knowing that Jewish faith runs much deeper than the words and notes that cross her lips, having studied at the Hebrew Seminary for the Deaf.

Reb Avraham Yehoshua

Reb Avraham Yehoshua has acted as the Vice-President of Religious Affairs at Congregation Beth Shalom for three years. He is an Israeli-trained rabbi, who often speaks from the pulpit, sharing insights and teachings through his D'var Torah. His passionate leining of Torah is equaled by his passion for education and connection with the congregation’s youth. Whether it be as a leader during Shabbat and High Holiday services or just friendly conversation, we benefit from his considerable experience and wisdom.

Counselor Yonah Klem

CBS is honored to have a learned counselor from both a secular and Jewish perspective. Yonah Klem, Ed. D., L.C.P.C., is a clinical counselor and meditation teacher, practicing for over twenty-five years. As a counselor, Yonah confidentially works with the individual needs of congregants to assist them in coping with situations affecting their lives. This includes, but is not limited to, hospital visits, pastoral counseling around issues of bereavement and other life-cycle crises, and spiritual mentoring. She also regularly leads adult education classes, in addition to being the coordinator of the synagogue senior program, Opportunities in Aging. Yonah customarily leins Torah and helps students prepare their D’var Torah speech for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

Gabbai Bernie Newman

Bernie Newman is one of the most visible and dedicated leaders of Congregation Beth Shalom. Some of his many roles include coordination of the Torah leining program, co-Gabbai (director of Torah reading) for Shabbat services, and tutoring B’nai Mitzvah students. He also acts as the official host and lecturer to interfaith, college, and school groups who visit the Congregation. Additionally, Bernie coordinates the weekly Jewish Adult Study Group and works individually with adults who wish to pursue their own Bar or Bat Mitzvah. On Friday evenings, he is often found leading traditional services with his wife Judi.

Gabbai Russ Klem

As one of the founding members of Congregation Beth Shalom, Russ Klem has established himself as a congregational leader and practitioner in Jewish theology. Russ is co-Gabbai, or director of Torah reading, during Sabbath services. He has been a B’nai Mitzvah tutor since 2001 and a member of the CBS choir since its inception. Russ has been the presiding chairman of the Worship Committee for over ten years, and an experienced coach of Jewish meditation since 1997. He graduated from the Chicago Board of Jewish Education High School and earned his doctorate in physics from the University of Chicago.