Now, more than ever, Jews around the world need madrichim, spiritual mentors, to guide them through the challenges of twenty-first-century life. Rabbi Dorsch inspires our community by helping us to understand how living a life of Torah, Jewish values, and sacred choices can help us to meet these challenges. He enjoys teaching Torah while “standing on one foot,” is relatable and accessible, and takes great pride in the meaningful relationships he has developed with members of our community.
Rabbi Dorsch currently serves as President of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association (ARA), a multi-denominational group representing nearly 100 rabbis living across the Metro Atlanta area. He also sits on the Boards of Trustees for the Jewish National Fund and the American Jewish Committee in Atlanta and is a member of the Community Advisory Board for the Holocaust Museum at Kennesaw State University. He is also a past member of USCJ’s Teen Engagement Committee, he recently completed eight years as Vice President of MERCAZ-USA, the Zionist arm of the Conservative Movement. Rabbi Dorsch is also a past fellow in Hazon’s Clergy Leadership Incubator Program.
After earning his B.A. degrees from Columbia University and the Albert A. List College at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Dorsch received his rabbinical ordination and M.A. in Education from JTS, after being awarded the Reverend Zvi Hirsch Masliansky Prize for Homiletics, he served as an associate rabbi for six years in Livingston, New Jersey.
In 2023, Rabbi Dorsch was selected as a “40 Under 40” winner for the Atlanta Jewish Times. He can’t wait to meet you for coffee (although he will have the iced tea) and tell you about the new and exciting things taking place at Etz Chaim. Rabbi Dorsch and his wife Amy, an educator at the Epstein School, are the proud parents of Zev and Haley.
Rabbi Jonathon Adler is thrilled to serve as Congregation Etz Chaim’s Assistant Rabbi. Previously, he served as the rabbinical intern at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, in Wynnewood, PA, and the Rabbinic Fellow at Penn Hillel. He was the 5783 High Holiday Hazzan at Shaar Shalom Congregation in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Jonathon is passionate about teaching Torah, providing pastoral support, and leading services.
Rabbi Adler was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he received the United Synagogue Award for Congregational Service, recognizing an outstanding graduating rabbinical student who has demonstrated commitment to congregational work. He is an alumnus of Rice University, in Houston, Texas. Prior to rabbinical school, he worked for over twenty years as a concierge at The St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan. His interests include knitting and needlework, and he loves baking challah on Friday afternoons. He currently resides along with his two cats in Marietta, a short distance from his mother’s childhood home of Rome, Georgia.
After 40 years of service to Etz Chaim, Rabbi Emeritus Shalom J. Lewis, retired in 2019. He continues to demonstrate his commitment to the idea of the rabbi as a teacher, and friend.
A graduate of Temple University, he was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He holds graduate degrees in education and Judaica.
The Rabbinic Suite of the synagogue has been named in his honor.
Rabbi Albert Slomovitz is originally from North Miami Beach, Florida. He graduated from Columbia University and was educated at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he was ordained. He also has a Ph.D. and a second master’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago.
Dr. Slomovitz served as a Navy Chaplain for over 20 years, earning three Meritorious Service Medals and two Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, as well as the distinguished honor of “Chaplain of the Year.” He is a published author of three books. He is the Founder of the Jewish-Christian Discovery Center which is dedicated to promoting educational interfaith work.
Rabbi Slomovitz was the Founding Rabbi at Gesher L’Torah in Alpharetta and a long-time teacher in the Melton program. He and his wife Gail have four children and are blessed with 10 grandchildren. He is an Assistant American History Professor at Kennesaw State University and works as a volunteer chaplain with the Cobb County Police Department.
