Join us in welcoming our new Executive Director, Miriam Terlinchamp!
July 21, 2023 - Judaism Unbound, a digitally driven, radically open center for ideas, education and connection serving as a catalyst for an entirely new era of Judaism, has named Miriam Terlinchamp as its Executive Director. She succeeds Judaism Unbound’s founding Executive Director, Dan Libenson, who recently accepted a position as President of Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah.
Miriam comes to Judaism Unbound after 13 years as the Senior Rabbi at Temple Sholom, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she led a revival of the congregation’s fortunes, including selling their building, doubling congregational membership and founding “JustLove,” a multi-faith justice initiative. She is already familiar to the Judaism Unbound community as a guest on the Judaism Unbound podcast and co-teacher of Judaism Inbound – a recently launched 10-month online program for individuals considering conversion to Judaism.
“Through her innovative spiritual work, her artistic energy in making videos for Temple Sholom, her commitment to out-of-the-box spiritual engagement, and her passion for teaching seekers, we think Miriam is a perfect fit to lead our unbound community into the next stage of Judaism Unbound.”
“Judaism Unbound has changed the landscape of how we think about Jewish identity, practice and culture, cultivating a rich landscape for spiritual innovation and inclusivity. I am humbled and thrilled to join this team of spiritual revolutionists for the purpose of fostering more meaning and belonging in our world.”
Miriam will remain in her role at Temple Sholom through a transitional period and is expected to assume her role full-time as Executive Director in October. Dan will continue as a Senior Fellow and member of the Board of Directors of Judaism Unbound and continue to co-host the Judaism Unbound podcast with our Senior Jewish Educator, Lex Rofeberg.
Judaism Unbound is also pleased to announce the hiring of 3 new part-time staff members:
Todd Brecher as Director of Operations and Strategy, and Micah Sandman and Hannah Gelman as Program Associates. Todd has been a long-time volunteer contributor to Judaism Unbound and currently serves as the part-time Director of Operations and Strategy of Beloved Garden and the Treasurer of Lab/Shul.
Micah Sandman is a 2023 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where she received a B.A. in Religious Studies and worked as a Program Assistant in the Office of Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life, Micah is a former Youth Counselor for the Bronfman Fellowship and was also a Bronfman Fellow.
Hannah Gelman received her B.A.s in Judaic Studies and Religious Studies from Brown University in 2022, is the former National Ritual and Resource Co-Chair of Judaism On Our Own Terms, and comes to Judaism Unbound after completing a text study program at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. Micah and Hannah join the program team led by Lex and including Katie Kaestner-Frenchman, Marketing Maven.
