clergy and Staff

RAbbi Natalie Louise Shribman

Rabbi Natalie Shribman

248-661-0040 Ext: 222 rabbishribman@tkolami.org

Rabbi Natalie Louise Shribman was ordained in May 2020 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. She moved to Michigan from Marshfield, Wisconsin where she worked as a hospital chaplain for the Marshfield Clinic Health System on the Oncology floor and the intensive care units. While she was a chaplain, Rabbi Shribman was part of the Health, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team, providing a comfortable hospital experience for patients and employees. During the pandemic, Rabbi Shribman was the rabbi for Temple Sholom in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a small Conservative congregation. Prior to that, Rabbi Shribman was a rabbi for many small Reform congregations throughout the Midwest.

Rabbi Shribman was born to interfaith parents. Having not been raised to be Jewish, she chose to be Jewish as a young girl. Her interfaith background has inspired her to be engaged in many interfaith efforts, including being Camp Director at Kids4Peace, a day camp for Jewish, Christian and Muslim middle and high school students in Cincinnati. Since becoming a rabbi, she has loved guiding others in their Jewish journeys and lifecycle events.

To create balance in her life, Rabbi Shribman enjoys being outdoors—running, hiking, skiing, boating, and going for walks with her husband. She lives with her husband, Rabbi Benjamin Altshuler, and her cat, Bsamim. She looks forward to spending time with you and connecting over a walk or a cup of tea.

Rabbi Emeritus Norman T. Roman

Rabbi Norman T. Roman

Rabbi Emeritus ravnach@aol.com

Rabbi Norman Roman served as the senior Rabbi at Temple Kol Ami for 30 years. Since he joined the Temple in 1986, it has grown in both size and stature. His knowledge and love of Judaism, his spiritual presence and his leadership have been at the forefront of Temple Kol Ami’s existence moving into the 21st century.
Rabbi Roman, born in New York City and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area, was educated at John Carroll University (1971) and ordained at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati (1975). He received the title of “Reform Jewish Educator” from the URJ and the National Association of Temple Educators in 1991.

Additionally, he earned a Master’s Degree in Hebrew Letters and an honorary Doctor of Divinity from HUC-JIR. He has served at congregations in Cleveland, Ohio, Santa Monica, California, and Bloomfield Township, Michigan, before coming to Temple Kol Ami. The Rabbi serves on numerous civic committees and boards and is an Adjunct Instructor in Religious Studies at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Rabbi Roman is an accomplished folk singer and guitarist, performing at Temples, Universities and community functions throughout the United States and Israel. He is recognized nationally for his work with Jewish youth and his service as Rabbi-in-Residence at the NFTY Leadership Institute (Camp Kutz) and the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. His love for and commitment to Israel are very strong. He is descended from chalutzim (pioneers) who were early settlers of Zichron Yaakov, and he visits Israel at least once per year.

The Rabbi and his wife Lynne are living in Arizona.

Cantorial Soloist Janet Christensen

248-661-0040 Ext: 223 janet@tkolami.org

Dedicated to Jewish music and community for 18 years, originally from Fairfax, VA, where she became a Cantorial Soloist at Temple B'nai Shalom. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Grand Valley State University and Master's from Boston University. While at BU, she was involved with Hillel, leading Reform worship services. When not immersed in music, you can find her sipping a latte and planning her next adventure.

STaff

Executive Director

Clara Silver

248-661-0040 Ext: 229

clara@tkolami.org

Bookkeeper

Julie Phillips

248-661-0040 Ext: 228

jphillips@tkolami.org

Temple and Rabbi Assistant

Cheryl Spektor

248-661-0040 Ext: 225

cspektor@tkolami.org

Religious School Administrator

Margery Jablin

248-661-0040 Ext: 224

school@tkolami.org

Leadership

The Temple Kol Ami Board of Directors are volunteers, elected by the membership to serve in a variety of roles for the duration set forth by our Constitution. Our lay leadership represents a broad cross section of our membership family. Volunteers bring expertise from their personal and professional lives to serve our synagogue's best interests including experience with business, education, law, medicine, parenting, organization, travel, and more.