Our Spiritual Leaders
Rabbi Rachel Kobrin
Rabbi Rachel Kobrin moved to Denver in 2018 to become the spiritual leader of Congregation Rodef Shalom.
A native of Rochester, NY, Rabbi Kobrin attended the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University in Los Angeles where she received her rabbinic ordination and Master of Arts in Rabbinic Studies, as well as the USCJ award for congregational leadership in 2009. Rabbi Kobrin is active in many aspects of Jewish life and thought, including as a CLAL Rabbis Without Borders Fellow, and a contributing writer for the Denver Post, MyJewishlearning.com, huffingtonpost.com, TimesofIsrael.com, and God: Jewish Choices for Struggling with the Ultimate. She has been a scholar-in-residence and teacher at conferences and retreats throughout the country, and is often invited to speak at rallies and gatherings for social justice.
Prior to moving to Denver, Rabbi Kobrin was the Rabbi at Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park, PA, and the Associate Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim (CAA) in Austin, Texas. While working full-time at CAA, Rabbi Kobrin also designed the Middle School Judaics curriculum and taught for the Austin Jewish Academy, and founded Selah, a South Austin start-up community affiliated with CAA, for which she received the Jewish Community Association of Austin Award in 2013. Selah reached hundreds of people each month through musically engaging Friday night services and an innovative new religious school, connecting people throughout the city with the broader congregational vision of dynamic and engaged spirituality.
Rabbi Kobrin has a passion for serving people of all ages and bringing the joy and meaning of our 3,500-year-old tradition to the modern world. She is working intensely during this time of Covid-19 to adapt to the uncertain current realities and to reimagine how we engage, teach, and reach American Jews who, in this moment, need community more than ever.
Contact Rabbi Kobrin here.
Jeff Horowitz, Interim Prayer Leader/Shaliach Tzibbur
A New York native with memories of leading the kahal from a young age, Jeff has been an active member of Rodef along with his wife Talia and two young children, Yona and Lev. Having received his Masters in Social Work from Simmons College in Boston, MA, Jeff works as a medical social worker at University of Colorado Hospital.
Jeff has played an active leadership role in every Jewish communal space heʼs entered. He spent this past year deepening his skills and knowledge of prayer and prayer-leading through Hadar’s Shatz Fellowship. “Shatz” is a Hebrew acronym for “shaliach tzibbur,” a messenger for the community who leads people in prayer. This was a highly selective fellowship that brought prayer leaders together from throughout the world (both on Zoom and in person) for regular learning and practical skill-building with professional teachers and mentors. Jeff is looking forward to leading our community to new heights in our davening!
David Ross, Music Director
David Ross joined Rodef Shalom’s musical team in June of 2020.
For over thirty years, David Ross has been teaching, performing, and entertaining in a variety of settings. Coming from a long line of family musicians, his music studies include twenty years of classical piano, ten years of band and orchestral percussion, and a year of classical voice training. He holds a B.A. in Music Composition from U.C. Berkeley and a Certificate of Songwriting from U.C.L.A.
David currently teaches piano, voice, composition, and general music to students of all ages. Additionally, he performs his original music which combines elements of rock, pop, folk, new age, and jazz.
Over the years, David has served as accompanist, choir, music, theatre, cultural arts and business director for several organizations, including Camp Ramah, U.S.Y., Yad B’Yad, Emanuel Arts Center of Beverly Hills, J.C.C. Ranch Camp, Temple Sinai, Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids, and Kids Theatre West.
Alongside his work at Rodef Shalom, David is a cantorial soloist/song leader for Temple Micah and Judaism Your Way, and is a keyboardist for Julie Geller and Steve Brodsky.
David is originally from the Los Angeles area and is married to Lauren. They have two children, Maya and Jade.
Dr. Saul Rosenthal, Cantor Emeritus
Dr. Saul Rosenthal served as our Cantor from 1985-2020, leading services, providing pastoral care, teaching traditional and modern Jewish music , and creating innovative worship opportunities. In May of 2020, Cantor Rosenthal retired from his duties and the Board Of Directors awarded him the title Cantor Emeritus in recognition of his many years of service and willingness to continue to serve the congregation when needed.