Reconstructing Judaism welcomed Rabbi Elliott Tepperman as its new president and CEO on September 1, 2026. Rabbi Tepperman brings over two decades of Reconstructionist leadership, including 24 years as spiritual leader of Bnai Keshet and past service as President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.
His rabbinate embraces spiritually courageous Judaism and loving pursuit of shalom and justice for all people. He believes that Jewish practice is most transformational when deep internal work becomes a springboard for building community and engaging with the world. And likewise when we bring the profound and mundane challenges of our personal and public lives to bear on our Jewish study and worship.
Elliott Tepperman is a founding member of the IAF-affiliated New Jersey Together, the Montclair Sanctuary Alliance and Faith in Action of Essex County. In 2019 he was honored by T’ruah as a Rabbinic Human Rights Hero. He is a graduate of the IJS Rabbinic Cohort 4 and the first Jewish Meditation Teachers Training and has been teaching meditation for thirteen years. He is a past President of the Montclair Clergy Association and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. He currently sits on the JOIN for Justice Board and is a Co-Chair the J Street Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet.
He is married to Sarah O’Leary and is the proud father of Akiva-Lev and Sam. Surprisingly, he now finds himself swimming, running and playing guitar.
Rabbi Elliott Tepperman discusses the Hatikvah Slate, the World Zionist Congress election, and why he’s running as a delegate: “The Jewish people need to build an Israel that is democratic and sustainable and can continue to be a homeland for the Jewish people for generations to come.”
This alternative Amidah was used during mincha prayers by members of the Reconstructionist Rabbinic Association outside of an Immigration Processing Center in order to call attention to the plight of immigrants and underscore the importance of the Jewish obligation to welcome the stranger.
(Resources for the holiday of Purim can be found here) The Role of Chance The word Purim literally means “lots,” as in “drawing lots.” The
Reconstructionist Judaism takes seriously our obligation to act together to address injustice and suffering. To do so, Rabbi Elliott Tepperman argues, our congregations need to be places where we can safely engage in political and ethical agitation and disagreement, while avoiding mere irritation.
Tepperman encourages sustained congregational dialogue and action around social, environmental and political justice.
Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement
Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives
Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis
