Rabbi Lois Ruderman
As of July 1, 2022 our new spiritual leader is Rabbi Lois Ruderman. Rabbi Ruderman succeeds retiring Rabbi Elisa Goldberg.
Rabbi Ruderman comes to Temple Micah after serving as the rabbi and spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Am in Freehold. She is a graduate of the Academy for Jewish Religion, where her master’s thesis reflected her commitment to congregational responses to teen and young adult mental health issues. Rabbi Ruderman has described this commitment with the Hebrew words “pikuach nefesh” – taking every step we can to save a life. Prior to serving in Freehold, Rabbi Ruderman led a congregation in Bergen County.
In addition to her religious and community work, Rabbi Ruderman also enjoys artistic pursuits. She designs and creates custom mezuzah covers, and tallitot (ritual prayer shawls). She also enjoys teaching others to make them. As she says, “I teach what a tallit is, why we wear it, and what designs are appropriate….Each tallit is thus a unique and personal creation.