Elaine Zecher

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Rabbi Elaine S. Zecher came to Temple Israel in 1990. She was the first female rabbi in Temple Israel’s 153-year history. Rabbi Zecher’s work extends beyond the congregation as she sits on the board of the ADL. She has been instrumental in the development of the Mishkah Tefilah, the Reform Jewish Movement’s new prayerbook for Shabbat, weekdays and festivals. She serves as the Chair of the Worship and Practices Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis(CCAR). Rabbi Zecher also chairs the Machzor Advisory Group as the CCAR prepares a new machzor. She serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the CCAR as well.  She has also been one of the driving forces behind Synagogue 3000, a national project to revitalize the synagogue structure to support Jewish communities in engaging their congregants in new ways of meaning, spirituality and connectedness.

Rabbi Zecher was ordained from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 1988. Upon her ordination she became Program Director and Jewish Resource Director at the Striar Jewish Community Center in Stoughton. She grew up in Monroeville, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Brandeis University. Rabbi Zecher is married to David M. Eisenberg.  They have three children:  Jacob, Benjamin, and Naomi.