Meet Our Rabbis

Rabbi Debra Orenstein has served as spiritual leader of Makom Ohr Shalom since 1998. A renowned teacher and scholar-in-residence across North America, she is also an instructor at the University of Judaism and editor of the award-winning Lifecycles book series on Judaism through women's perspectives. Rabbi Orenstein connects Jewish learning to our everyday lives. Her rabbinate represents both the inherited tradition and its flexibility in every age. A seventh generation rabbi, she is also an alumna of the first rabbinical class at The Jewish Theological Seminary to include women.

Rabbi/Cantor Monty Turner has served as cantor at Makom Ohr Shalom for over 25 years. Together with Makom's many talented singers and musicians, he enhances the service and inspires the congregation. His liturgical compositions have been published and shared informally across the Jewish world. Monty leads the Makom choir, with the assistance of conductor, composer and arranger, Ellen Fleischmann.

To reach Rabbi Debra Orenstein, email deboren@aol.com or call the Makom line: 818-725-7600. To reach Rabbi/Cantor Monty Turner, you may call the Makom line or his home office: 310-479-1270.

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi has co-officiated at Makom Ohr Shalom for the last 13 High Holiday seasons. He holds a special relationship with the Makom community and has shared the High Holy Days with us for more than a decade, Reb Zalman is a cherished bridge between ancient Jewish wisdom traditions and more modern philosophies and practices, and is the founder of the ALEPH Kallah and the Jewish Renewal Movement.Newsweek recently featured him in an article about the revival of spirituality in religion and said, "This rabbi extols the joy of experiencing an intimate connection to the Almighty." Click here to read article.

Rabbi Ted Falcon, Ph.D, our founding rabbi, still inspires us with his vision of a Jewish community dedicated to the spiritual and personal growth of each member. He teaches a Kabbalistic approach to Judaism through practices of Jewish meditation and the interpretation of Torah, ritual, and Jewish tradition from a spiritual point of view. He is now leader of Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue in Seattle, WA. Click here for more information on Bet Alef.

Makom Ohr Shalom has been blessed with the teachings of many other spiritual leaders, including Rabbis Tirzah Firestone, Lawrence Kushner, Moshe Halfon, Toba August, Stan Levy, Mordecai Findley, and David Cooper. In addition, we learn from each other, firmly believing that we are each a portion of the Living Torah.

Email: makominfo@yahoo.com