Meet Rabbi Kaiman

Rabbi Ari Kaiman

rabbikaiman@shearithisrael.com

Rabbi Ari Kaiman loves just about everyone. He loves to sing and pray with his community. He loves a good conversation after a delicious Shabbat meal. He loves learning with children, teens, and adults. He cherishes every moment of life, the good and the hard.

Rabbi Kaiman found a deep sense of purpose and infinite inspiration from his teachers at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. He received his Rabbinic ordination, with a concentration in Philosophy, studying closely with his Rabbis, Brad Artson and Elliot Dorff. His senior thesis is titled, “Why should a Jew (or anyone) read the Bible?”

Upon ordination, Rabbi Kaiman served as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation B’nai Amoona in St. Louis for five years. He was instrumental in founding Makor, a young adult group. He is also deeply proud of his partnership with the Miller Introduction to Judaism program through which he brought dozens of seekers to their home in Judaism.

Rabbi Kaiman was a member of the second cohort of Clergy Leadership Incubator and was in the the Atlanta Clergy Cohort of JOIN for Justice. He is currently applying lessons of the RA Cohort of the Pardes Mahloket Matters Fellowship with our partners at Intown Community Church and the One America Movement. In addition, Rabbi Kaiman is the Samuel T. Lachs Fellow of the LEAP Fellowship bringing together Academia and clergy.  He believes deeply in a vibrant future for our rapidly changing Jewish community. One of his great joys is the work of turning this belief into reality together with this community.

He finds great joy in his family. Rabbi Kaiman and his wife, Emily are graduates of the University of Florida. They have four children who love to play at shul and hope that your children come to join them.

Rabbi Kaiman values being accessible to the congregation and to all those seeking a deeper connection to Judaism. He can be reached at rabbikaiman@shearithisrael.com. His direct line is 404-503-9910, and his cell phone is 404-913-6578.

Rabbi David B. Helfand, Engagement Rabbi

rabbihelfand@shearithisrael.com

Rabbi David Helfand is a master community builder, a passionate experiential educator, and gifted storyteller. Rabbi Helfand is thrilled to be part of the Shearith Israel community as Engagement Rabbi. Rabbi Helfand completed his rabbinic training at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, CA, where he also received a Masters in Jewish Education. During his third year of rabbinical school in Israel, Rabbi Helfand learned at the Conservative Yeshiva. It was in the Holy Land that David met his best friend and now fiancee Rebekah.

Rabbi Helfand was an AIPAC Leffell Fellow, a Hartman Clergy Student Fellow, and received a Masters Concentration in Israel Education from the iCenter. Rabbi Helfand completed a 400 hour unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Research Medical Center in Kansas City as well as a summer as a Spiritual Counselor at Beit T'shuvah- a Jewish rehab and addiction center. Rabbi Helfand has always been a camp person at heart. Having spent many summers at Camp Sabra as a camper, Rabbi Helfand was a part of the inaugural summers at Camp Ramah in Northern California. Rabbi Helfand continued his experiential education and programming as the Program Director for Limmud North America where he authored the curriculum for the Global Day of Jewish Learning.

Rabbi Helfand is a diehard Kansas City sports fan. When he’s not watching the Royals or Chiefs, you can be sure to find him preparing a delicious cholent for his Shabbat guests, reading, traveling the world, or admiring perhaps one of the greatest kippah and sock collections this side of the Mississippi. Be prepared to learn, laugh and deepen your love for Judaism.