Rabbi Paul Kipnes
Rabbi Paul J. Kipnes is the spiritual leader of Congregation Or Ami and our first full-time rabbi. Rabbi Kipnes (or Rabbi Paul, as many call him) reflects upon being a rabbi:
As a rabbi, as your rabbi, I seek to be a warm, welcoming, compassionate presence in your life and in the life of your family. I hope to create a synagogue home which makes you feel warmly welcomed. I strive to be accessible, approachable and inspiring…
Rabbi Elana Rabishaw
Rabbi Elana Rabishaw believes the most sacred spaces are where people feel safe enough to take off their shoes—literally and metaphorically. Her rabbinate is rooted in creating that kind of comfort: spaces where people feel safe enough to ask hard questions, share their stories, and show up fully. As a Jewish educator, she finds joy growing alongside her learners—from preschool tefillah (prayer) to teen retreats, B’nai Mitzvah study to adult learning, and everything in between.
Rabbi Elana also brings a passion for Israel education that is grounded in love, nuance, and honesty.
Whether sitting with someone in a hard moment or creating space for authentic prayer and connection with the sacred, she believes trust and presence are at the heart of it all. Now returning to Congregation Or Ami, where she once served as a rabbinic intern, Rabbi Elana is honored to help others feel at home in a community that has always felt like home to her.
