Meet Our Clergy
Rabbi Josh Weisman
Rabbi Josh Weisman was ordained at the pluralistic Rabbinical School of Hebrew College in Massachusetts. Following ordination, Rabbi Weisman served at Kavana Cooperative in Seattle -- an independent congregation recognized nationally for its innovative models of 21st Jewish community -- as part of the Jewish Emergent Network Rabbinic Fellowship. While at Kavana, he co-founded the Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest, an annual collaboration that has brought over 175 Jewish climate action events to thousands of people nationwide. After Kavana, he served as the Senior Jewish Educator at Hillel at the University of Washington, working with students and young adults to create relevant and fun Jewish experiences, and serving as a Jewish mentor. Most recently, he has been a Senior Program Officer at the Jewish Community Federation, with a focus on the East Bay, racial justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Prior to rabbinical school, Rabbi Josh was a grass-roots organizer in the Bay Area for a decade, including four years as a congregation-based community organizer working with synagogues, churches, and schools to advocate for just solutions to problems impacting their neighborhoods. In all his work, Rabbi Weisman is passionate about community building, pastoral care, learning and teaching Torah, justice, climate action, and music. He loves connecting with people and helping them find their own personally relevant ways for Judaism to add joy and meaning to their lives, build community, and repair our world.
Cantor Linda Hirschhorn
Cantor Linda Hirschhorn has been serving our community since 1988. With her beautiful and stirring voice filling the sanctuary, the services are guided to deeper and more meaningful spirituality. She has inspired the creation of our orchestra and chorus, which she leads to enhance our monthly Musical Shabbat and High Holy Day services.
In addition to her service leading, Cantor Hirschhorn mentors and guides the b'nai mitzvah students of our congregation to prepare them for their special day.
Cantor Hirschhorn, BA, MA, MFCC, is a member of Ohalah, the organization for clergy in the Jewish renewal movement. She was voted the Best Cantor for 2005 in the J, the Jewish News Weekly Bulletin of Northern California. Yasher koach!
Cantor Hirschhorn is a nationally renowned choral director and composer, with two published songbooks and seven original recordings released, four with her a cappella ensemble, Vocolot.
You can visit her website to view a collection of sermons from past High Holy Days.
Rabbi Emeritus Harry A. Manhoff
Rabbi Harry A. Manhoff was ordained at the Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion in 1979. He has a BA from Yale, an MAHL from HUC and completed his doctoral studies with a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
He has co-authored a book, A Place In the Tent: Intermarriage and Conservative Judaism regarding intermarriage and acceptance, and is currently working on a new book. He is strong in education, always urging the congregation to learn and grow, and leads by example by being a master teacher and a scholar. His drashot are interesting, colorful and thought provoking.
He is compassionate, genial and accommodating with the congregation and always ready to teach or discuss any aspect of Judaism. He is patient, affable, and has a way with children that encourages them to learn and expand their minds and horizons. With consideration and humanity, he is committed to encourage positive action for the world at large, and close at home.