Meet the Fellows

Miriam Burg

Rabbi Miriam Cotzin Burg is dedicated to contributing to the vibrancy of modern Jewish life by discovering innovative ways to integrate Jewish learning and Jewish living. Throughout her almost 20 years in the rabbinate, she has sought, found, and created professional opportunities that have enabled her to honor her dual commitments to work and family. Currently, she is training to become a certified childbirth educator and launching Hava NaBaby, a Jewish childbirth education initiative that builds community among expectant parents and guides them through the processes of pregnancy, childbirth and starting a family.

An alumnus of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship, Miriam was ordained from HUC-JIR in 2002, where she also earned Masters’ degrees in Hebrew Letters and Jewish Education. She grew up in Ann Arbor and now lives in Baltimore where she enjoys flower arranging, hiking, baking, reading and just about anything with her husband and their two fabulous teenagers.

Jen Gubitz

Rabbi Jen Gubitz is the founder of Modern JewISH Couples which supports couples on the pathway to marriage and beyond through cohort based experiences and immersive retreats. A student of mussar and midrash, Jen’s rabbinate is committed to elevating Jewish wisdom's capacity to speak to our human condition. Her welcoming vibe weaves learning, ritual and lifecycle experiences full of music, poetry, honesty and humor. 

Gubitz is a graduate of the Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University, was ordained in 2012 by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (NY) where she was a Tisch Rabbinical Fellow, and wrote her thesis on Jewish death education for kids. She recently completed an MBA-level entrepreneurship certificate through Columbia Business School and Glean Network. She directed the Riverway Project in Boston from 2016-2021.

She is the co-host of the OMfG Podcast: Jewish Wisdom for Unprecedented Times and her writing appears in the Boston Globe, Lilith Magazine, OnBeing, the Forward, and the Mussar Torah Commentary. A midwesterner at heart, Jen lives in Boston with her husband Matan, their rescue dog Joey, and loves folk music, puns, and cold brew coffee. Learn more here: www.jengubitz.com, www.omfgpodcast.com, www.modernjewishcouples.com

Dani Passow

Rabbi Dani Passow is the Orthodox Rabbi and Senior Director of Public and Alumni Programs at Harvard Hillel. He is also the Orthodox Jewish Harvard Chaplain. A graduate of Cooper Union’s engineering school, Dani received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, where he won the Dov Zakheim Talmud Prize. Dani served as rabbinic consultant for the Sukkah City design competition in Union Square, NY in the fall of 2010 and from 2010-2011 directed the Tav HaYosher— a non-profit program of Uri L’Tzedek, which certifies and promotes kosher eating establishments that treat employees fairly. Dani has maintained a side career as a research scientist having published papers on the placebo, genetics, and cardiovascular disease in leading science journals. He is currently a graduate student in Biostatistics at Harvard, where his thesis focuses on psychedelics as treatment for depression in cancer patients.

Susan Goldberg

Rabbi Susan Goldberg isn’t going to stop reminding you about the good stuff. That’s her now, shouting from the rooftops about empathy, love and justice. It’s not just her message, it’s part of an infectious and joyful worldview that has transformed each community she touches. Through spirituality, creativity and wisdom, her leadership inspires care for both the inner world and the world around us. Rabbi Susan is the founder of Nefesh, an open hearted spiritual community capturing the energy and vitality of LA’s east side. A fourth generation Angeleno, she has a special focus on revitalizing LA’s east side Jewish community to again be an active part of the multicultural beauty of these neighborhoods. She led the renewal of the historic Wilshire Blvd Temple in Koreatown and Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park. She also served as rabbi in residence for East Side Jews, a project of the SIJCC. She serves on the advisory board of New Ground: A Muslim Jewish Partnership for Change and on the Interfaith Clergy Roundtable for the Department of Mental Health. She spearheaded the pilot program of Second Nurture supporting kids in the LA County foster care system. She is a national board member for Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice and Rabbi Susan recently wrapped up as Rabbi consultant for the groundbreaking television program Transparent.

Joshua Lesser

Rabbi Joshua Lesser is a leader for social healing and spiritual engagement. After 22 years leading Atlanta’s LGBT-founded, Reconstructionist synagogue Bet Haverim, he transitioned to Rabbi Emeritus. As a catalyst, he supported the enterprising spirit of members in their engagement in communal life. 

With a visionary spirit, he founded the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity and cofounded the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta. He chaired the City of Atlanta’s Human Relations Commission and sits on the Mayor’s LGBT Taskforce. Mayor Bottoms awarded him Atlanta’s top honor, the Phoenix Award for unwavering service to the community.

A spiritual director, Josh accompanies The OnBeing Project’s Social Healing Fellows and offers direction to Hebrew Union College students. Responding to the challenges that clergy have encountered during the pandemic, he created online forums for leaders to share resources, and offer mutual support. He and his husband Alessandro find many creative outlets together.

Ezra Weinberg

Rabbi Ezra Weinberg: A “conductor of human spirit” describes the life and work of Reb Ezra Weinberg. Ordained through the Reconstructionist movement, Reb Ezra is at home in a variety of Jewish settings, from traditional to secular. As a freelance rabbi based in Philadelphia, he officiates lifecycle events, leads prayer at synagogues and other Jewish gatherings, and works as a communal prayer consultant. He teaches a variety of ages and populations from young children to teenagers to undergraduates and rabbinical students. His education includes an M.A. in Conflict Transformation which inspires his work as a facilitator of difficult conversations around Israel. Whether he is working as a shaliach tzibur (prayer leader), an educator, a song leader, a facilitator of difficult conversations, or a Jewish camp professional, his role in the Jewish community is always rooted in lifting spirits, creating community, and bringing shalom to people’s lives.