Joining Temple Beth-El members at a member’s home for a Sukkot celebration. Several of those gathered had never shaken a lulav before!
Sacred community is formed in moments of connection. In her role as spiritual leader, Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum helps create opportunities to foster those deep interconnections, forming community by connecting people to each other, to Torah, and to God.
Celebrating holidays and life cycle moments are wonderful opportunities to link people to each other and back to the broader Jewish tradition and community. Rabbi Muhlbaum loves engaging people in new interpretations of Jewish traditions, bringing people together across generational lines, and being present with people in times of sorrow and joy.
One key component of Rabbi Muhlbaum’s portfolio at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck was facilitating and supporting the small groups initiative. There, she works with lay leaders, running leadership development and group facilitation trainings. She helps launch new small groups, helping members find their community within the larger Temple community.
Leading lakeside services in Chautauqua, NY
Officiating at a double baby naming for two adorable cousins
Representing Temple Beth-El of Great Neck as the presiding rabbi at the New York federal commemoration of the Holocaust at the US Court of International Trade
With New York elected officials at a unity shabbat in solidarity against anti-Semitism in January 2020. Among those present were 18 New York Senators including Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, and our congregant and Senator Anna M. Kaplan, who helped organize the gathering; Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso; Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth; Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey; County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum; and Jonathan Greenblatt, National Director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. Photo by Barbara Herman.
Officiating under the chuppah
Officiating at a bar mitzvah ceremony