RABBI MICHAEL WHITMAN

EMPLOYMENT

- Adath Israel Poale Zedek Anshei Ozeroff, Hampstead, Quebec (2001- ) - Senior Rabbi
- McGill University Faculty of Law, Montreal, Quebec (2007- ) - Sessional Lecturer
- Young Israel of New Haven, New Haven, CT (1987-2001) - Rabbi, involved with all areas of congregational and communal life with a heavy emphasis on teaching, pastoral counselling, innovative programming, developing interpersonal skills, and strategic planning
- Young Israel House (Kosher Kitchen) at Yale University, New Haven, CT (1987-2001) – Director, responsible for teaching, Kashrus, counselling, programming, and founding a Beit Midrash
- Yale University Law School, New Haven, CT (1995-2001) - Adjunct Instructor, courses include Family Law, Environmental Issues in Classical Jewish Law, The Ethics of Bankruptcy, Biblical Social Policy, and Moot Beit Din
- Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale University, New Haven, CT (1993-2001) – Associate Chaplain, Teacher, Board of Directors
- Local Kashrus Certification (1987-2001) - Claire’s, Edge of the Woods, Young Israel House at Yale Kosher Kitchen, Westville Kosher Bakery / Fox’s Deli
- Department of Jewish Education, New Haven Jewish Federation, New Haven, CT (1988-2001) – Teacher of numerous Torah subjects such as Chumash, Gemorah, Halachah, Hashkafah, Medical Ethics, Parenting, and Synagogue Skills - taught on a variety of levels from beginner to advanced (children and adults), often using original educational materials
- Makom Hebrew High School of Greater New Haven, New Haven, CT (1987-1995) - Teacher in a supplementary high school for public school teenagers
- Kashrus Supervisor for O.U., O.K. Laboratories, Kaf-K, and Baltimore Vaad HaKashrus, (1983-1995) - Inspecting food-processing plants, factories, and stores
- Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, CT (1994) - Jewish Chaplain, offering regular hospital visits, grief counseling, and crisis intervention
- Torah Academy, New Haven, CT (1987-1988) – Rebbi, teaching Nach to ninth grade boys in a Yeshiva High School
- Young Israel of Metairie, New Orleans, LA (1983-1987) - Rabbi of a small congregation, with an emphasis on Kiruv, teaching, singles activities, Chessed projects, and leadership development
- Lakeshore Hebrew Day School, New Orleans, LA (1983-1985) - Rebbi to fifth grade boys in a community day school
- Communal Hebrew School, New Orleans, LA (1983-1984) – Teacher in a community supplementary Hebrew School
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (1983) - Extra-curricular Teacher in Jewish Studies
- Etz Chaim Center for Jewish Studies, Baltimore, MD (1981-1983) - Teacher in an adult education Kiruv organization, leading classes and individual learning
- Beth Tefilloh Community Day School, Baltimore, MD (1981-1982) - Teacher in a Judaic Studies Enrichment Program for advanced seventh grade boys
- NCSY, Atlantic Seabord Region (1977-1979) - Advisor to numerous Junior Shabbatonim for boys and girls in grades 5-8

SPECIAL PROJECTS

- Shabbat to Share, MADA Community Center (2011-  ) – Adath coordinator
- Dylan at The Adath: a live concert tribute to the music of Bob Dylan (2011)
- Moot Court of Jewish Law, Bronfman Jewish Education Centre (2009- ) - Course Developer
- Jewish-Moslem Grassroots Dialogue Group (2009) - Co-Facilitator
- Rabbinical Medical Ethics Committee of Montreal, a community medical ethics Bet Din (2007- ) - Member
-Advisor for a Legal Case before the Supreme Court of Canada (2006)
- Cooking for the Soul, Participatory Cooking Class and Torah Learning (2006) - Co-Teacher
- Klez-tic, a musical celebration of cultural distinctiveness and harmony featuring a concert combining Klezmer and Celtic music (2004)
- Mussar Vaad (2004) - Co-Planner and Facilitator
- BBQ for the Soul, Italian Cooking and Jewish Law (2003- ) - Teacher
- Annual Family Mission to Israel (2003- ) - Co-Planner and Co-Leader
- Men's Wilderness Retreat Shabbaton (2003- ) - Coordinator
- "Jewish Texts, Jewish Music, Jewish Healing" (2003) - Creator and Co-Teacher of an innovative blend of Torah learning, discussion of issues and feelings relating to healing, and spiritual meditative singing
- NCSY and Yachad - Shabbaton Host
- Israel Vendors Fair (2002) - Involved in planning a community-wide effort to bring Israeli vendors and their merchandise to a two-day Fair in Cavendish Mall
- JACS (2001- ) - Host and teacher at monthly meeting for Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others
- Black / Jewish Community Festival (1999) – Coordinator of a highly successful day long celebration of community building between different elements of our neighborhood; featuring music, food, crafts, exhibits, and entertainment
- Yeshiva University Rabbinic Apprenticeship Program (1998-2001) – Mentor Board of Ethics, City of New Haven (1998-2001) - Member, responsible for adjudicating cases of alleged conflict-of-interest involving city employees and appointees
- Karate for Kids (1998-2001) – Founder of an innovative program which provides free karate lessons to all neighborhood children, allowing children of diverse backgrounds to meet in a supervised environment
- SEED Program (1995-1997) – Coordinator of an annual two-week summer program of learning and social activities, in cooperation with Torah Umesorah
- National Council of Young Israel Rabbis Yom Iyun (1993) – Coordinator RCA
- Conference for Rabbonim (1992) – Coordinator
- Young Israel Soup Kitchen / Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) of New Haven (1988-2001) - Former President, Board of Directors, and Location Director
- Rabbi's Guild Conference (1988) – Coordinator of a conference for rabbis providing intensive Torah learning and fellowship
- Jewish Professionals Society of New Orleans (1986) – Coordinated and taught a community-wide program of Jewish education and fellowship for Jewish professionals
- Annual Shabbaton in Natchez, MS (1984-1986) – Designed and coordinated a major regional Torah Retreat, featuring nationally known speakers, which succeeded in transforming the religious orientation of numerous attendees
- Spiritual Advisor to Death Row Inmates, Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, LA (1986-1987)

COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES

- Hebrew Academy (2008-2009) - Board of Directors
- Westmount Eruv (2007- ) - Rabbinic Specialist
- Auberge Shalom...pour femmes (2007- ) - Board of Directors
- Agunah Counselor and Activist (2005-  )
- Cote St. Luc / Hampstead / Snowdon Eruv (2005- ) - Rabbinic Specialist
- Rabbinical Council of America - Montreal Region - Conversion Programme (2005- ) - Yosheiv Rosh
- Melton Adult Mini School (2004- ) - Advisory Committee Member
- Mikvah Israel (2003- ) - Rabbinic Committee
- Montreal JCC Jewish Programming Development (2002- ) - Committee Member
- Kollel Torah Mitzion of Montreal (2001- ) - Rabbinic Advisory Board
- Board of Rabbis of Greater Montreal (2001- ) - Member, President
- Rabbinical Council of America - Montreal Region (2001- ) - Member, Past-President
- Federation CJA Planning and Allocations Committee on Special Needs (2002-2003) - Committee Member
- Federation CJA Jewish Advisory Committee (2001-2006) - Board of Directors
- Addington Addiction Treatment Centre (2002-2003 ) - Board of Directors
- Jewish National Fund of Canada (2001-2003) - Board of Directors
- Connecticut Interfaith Budget Watch (1999-2001) - Steering Committee of a broad-based group created to scrutinize the Connecticut State budget as a moral document and advocate on behalf of the disadvantaged
- Norton Neighbors Association (1998-2001) – President of an association designed to bring together all residents of the Young Israel neighborhood for the purposes of increased personal interaction and general neighborhood improvement
- Hebrew High School of New England, West Hartford, CT (1996-2001) – Board of Directors
- “Bayit” at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY (1996-1998) - Kashrus Advisor
- New Haven Homeless Resource Center (1994-1996) – Board of Directors
- Connecticut Infoline Advisory Council (1990-1995) – Board of Directors
- New Haven Eruv (1989-2001) - Rabbinic Specialist
- New Haven Board of Rabbis (1987-2001) – President, member
- New Haven Jewish Federation and Agencies (1987-2001) - Vice President, Executive Board, Planning and Allocations Committee, Jewish Foundation Board of Trustees and Grants Committee, Jewish Family Service Board of Directors – Executive Board and Personnel Committee Chairman, JCC Board Member, Blueprint 2000 Jewish Federation Planning Committee, Jewish Care Network Interagency Committee, UJA Rabbinic Cabinet, Ad Hoc Committee on Education, Russian Resettlement Task Force
- New Haven Free Loan and Free Burial Association (1987-1990) – Board of Directors
- New Orleans Museum of Art (1986) – Board of Directors
- Community Relations Council (CRC) of the New Orleans Jewish Federation (1984-1987) – Board of Directors
- Additional areas of Rabbinic expertise - Sofrus, Mikveh, Chevrah Kadishah

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

- Rabbinical Council of America (1983- ) - Member, Former Executive Board Member, former OU Joint Kashrus Commission member, former Committee Chairman (College Connections, Young Rabbinical Leadership)
- National Council of Young Israel (1983-2001) - Member of the Council of Young Israel Rabbis, former Regional Vice President
- Member of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists (AOJS), Association of Jewish Outreach Professionals (AJOP), NAACP, Nefesh (Association of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals), Greater New Haven Domestic Violence Task Force

AWARDS / DISTINCTIONS

- RCA (Rabbinical Council of America) Annual Convention Presenter: “Contemporary Converts” (2010)
- Golden Book Honoree, Jewish National Fund of Montreal (2001)
- Presidential Citation, Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven (2001)
- Robert Eisner Community Service Award, New Haven Jewish Federation (2001)
- Scholar in Residence, Shabbat Group Shabbaton, Newport, RI (2000)
- Panelist, Greater New Haven Domestic Violence Task Force Conference (2000)
- Conference Co-Coordinator, “Challenges of the New Economy” (2000)
- Scholar in Residence, Kingsway Jewish Center, Brooklyn, NY (2000)
- Mustard Seed Award, Interfaith Cooperative Ministries (2000)
- Panelist, U. S. Attorney's Office Conference on Hate Crimes (1999)
- Robert Eisner Community Service Award, New Haven Jewish Federation (1999)
- Presenter, Harvard Law School Jewish Law Students Association Annual Conference (1999)
- Human Service Award, Mohammed Islamic Center of New Haven (1999)
- Scholar in Residence, Young Israel of Plainview, NY (1999)
- Rabbinic Award, New Haven Jewish Home for the Aged (1998)
- Scholar in Residence, Young Israel of East Brunswick, NJ (1998)
- Session Presenter, Rabbinical Council of America Annual Convention (1998)
- Workshop Presenter, "Fighting Back Through Faith; Responding to the Cycle of Addiction" (1998)
- Dinner Honoree, for ten years of service by Young Israel of New Haven (1997)
- Guest Speaker, Waterbury Jewish Federation Lecture Series on “Honoring Your Aging Parent” (1995)
- Guest Speaker, New Haven Jewish Communal Agency Professional Program on “Confidentiality” (1994)
- Workshop Presenter, Yale University Divinity School Conference on "Theological Education and the City" (1992)
- Rabbinic Award, UJA Operation Exodus (1992)
- Freedom Award, State of Israel Bonds (1990)
- Rabbinic Chairman and Speaker, National Council of Young Israel Thanksgiving Torah Retreat, Homowack Hotel, NY (1988)
- Featured Speaker, Orthodox Union Biennial Convention on “Innovative Outreach Synagogue Programming” (1986)
- Grant Awardee, Israeli Ministry of Education (1979, 1980)
- Dean's List, Columbia University (1977 - 1979)

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

- “Inside the Young Israel of New Haven,” The Jewish Press, July 7, 2000
- “Destination: New Haven, Connecticut,” Kashrus Magazine, June, 2000
- “Judaism Confronts Secular Education,” Young Israel Viewpoint, Fall, 1998
- “Homosexuality and Judaism,” Aufbrau, July 3, 1998
- “Pioneers of Orthodoxy: Sam Margolin,” Jewish Action, Summer, 1998
- “What’s All the Fuss About; the Yale Housing Issue,” Yale Daily News, September 15, 1997
- “The Mishkan as Metaphor,” Urim V’Tumim, Spring, 1997
- “My Neighbor, Carol Pollard,” Young Israel Viewpoint, Spring, 1993
- “Hagar’s Tears,” The Jewish Ledger, September, 1992
- “Who Is A Jew - An Orthodox Position,” The Jewish Ledger, December, 1988
- “Letter to the Editor,” Commentary, March, 1988
- “Kurt Waldheim and Halachah,” Young Israel Viewpoint, May, 1987
- “Synagogue in Action,” Jewish Action, Summer/Fall, 1986

EDUCATION

- Master of Talmudic Law, Ner Israel Rabbinical College, Baltimore, MD (1983)
- Smichah (Rabbinical Ordination), Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, Baltimore, MD (1982) from HoRav Yaacov Ruderman, ZT"L
- Bachelor of Arts, Columbia University, New York, NY (1979)