Temple Beth-El of City Island,NY

Rabbi Shohama Wiener came to Temple Beth-El of City Island in 2002 after having been the first woman in Jewish history to head a rabbinic seminary. From 1987-2001 she served as Dean and then President and Spiritual Director of The Academy for Jewish Religion, Riverdale, New York, a non-denominational seminary ordaining rabbis and cantors. She now holds the title of President Emerita.

     In 2004, Rabbi Shohama was appointed Rosh Hashpa'ah – Head of Spiritual Development for the Aleph Ordination Program, a "seminary without walls" that trains Rabbis, Cantors and Rabbinic Pastors to serve communities whose focus is Jewish spirituality. She is Founding Director of HASHPA'AH, a pioneering training and ordination program for Jewish spiritual directors (counselors) which may be taken by Aleph students, as well as students and ordinees of other Jewish seminaries.

     Rabbi Wiener is a graduate of Wellesley College and Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She earned her rabbinic ordination from The Academy for Jewish Religion, and her D.Min. degree from New York Theological Seminary. Currently, she is a member of the New York Board of Rabbis and of Ohalah, the organization for Jewish Renewal Rabbis.

     Rabbi Shohama heads the spiritual guidance website for ReclaimingJudaism.org. She is editor of The Fifty-Eighth Century– A Jewish Renewal Sourcebook, co-editor of Worlds of Jewish Prayer, and contributor to many Jewish journals. In addition, she is a nationally-known teacher of Jewish spirituality, meditation and healing, and a songwriter.

Shohama Wiener is married to Alan Dattner, a holistic dermatologist, musician and spiritual teacher. In their blended family, they delight in four adult children, and a growing number of grandchildren.

Rabbi Shohama can be reached by phone at 914 636-2504, or by email at rebshohama@yahoo.com.