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…
Cantor Doug Cotler
Congregation Or Ami’s Cantor, Doug Cotler, is a Grammy Award-winning composer and an accomplished singer, songwriter and musician. Blessed with a warm and expressive voice, Doug’s sensitive and penetrating interpretations of liturgy as well as his insightful and humorous songs about Jewish events and heroes have placed him in the forefront of contemporary Jewish music. He and his wife, Gail, have two sons…
Rabbi Julia Weisz
Rabbi Julia Weisz is Congregation Or Ami’s Director of Education and one of Or Ami’s rabbis. Rabbi Weisz (or Rabbi Julia, as some call her) reflects upon her rabbinate:
In college I discovered I was interested in the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing addressed by rabbis. I explored this healing journey as a summer chaplaincy intern at UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital, and as a student rabbi in the Santa Ynez Valley. Ultimately, I poured myself into the study of Psalms, the Biblical poetry, and discovered time-tested resources to heal our brokenness…