Rabbi Julie Roth Named Shomrei’s New Rabbi

Shomrei Emunah in Montclair today announces that Rabbi Julie Roth will become the next spiritual leader for the synagogue on August 1. Rabbi Roth comes to Shomrei from Princeton Hillel where she has been the Executive Director and Jewish Chaplain for 17 years. She succeeds Rabbi David Greenstein who is retiring after 13 years at Shomrei. The Shomrei community is grateful for the spiritual leadership Rabbi Greenstein has provided.

During her tenure at Princeton, Rabbi Roth has built one of the premier Hillels in the world and pioneered cohort-based learning fellowships and an educational travel program that received Hillel’s International Myerhoff Award for Educational Vision in 2014. She was also the recipient of the Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award, Hillel’s highest honor in 2013.

Additionally, Rabbi Julie is the rabbi and co-founder of Zamru, a musically innovative, spiritually-engaging, inter-generational Friday night indie minyan based in Princeton that grew to a community of over 300. She is also the co-founder of Shabbat Katan, a creative, interactive 5 and under service that revitalized young family engagement at her local synagogue.

“We are thrilled that Rabbi Roth will become our congregational leader later this summer,” said Miriam Haimes, Shomrei President. “She has a deep passion for Jewish life and education that we are confident will inspire not only Shomrei members but the greater Montclair community. As the Executive Director at Princeton Hillel, she guided the students on their college and Jewish journeys and we look forward to having her share her love of Judaism and knowledge with us.”

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Rabbi Julie holds a B.A. in Comparative Religion from Brown University. She is a recipient of the Wexner Fellowship and was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2005. She and her husband Rabbi Justus Baird have three children.

“I couldn’t be more excited to lead the Shomrei community,” said Rabbi Roth. “I’ve been yearning to spend more time doing what I love most – building intentional relationships, leading spiritually-alive services, giving inspirational sermons, officiating at life-cycle events, teaching Torah addressing contemporary issues, and listening with compassion – and look forward to doing this at Shomrei.”

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