The following biography is taken from the Rabbi's installation program at Congregation Beth Israel-Judea on 14 Cheshvan, 5767 (November 5, 2006).
Rabbi Rosalind Glazer received her Masters degree in Hebrew letters and was ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2003. She has served as a teacher and spiritual leader of various congregations ranging from Conservative to Reconstructionist, and from Reform to Jewish Renewal. Prior to coming to Congregation Beth Israel-Judea she was the rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in Brigantine, N.J., and a Jewish educator at Congregation Mishkan Shalom in Philadelphia.
Before entering rabbinical school Rabbi Glazer served as the cantorial soloist and Bar/Bat Mitzvah coordinator of Kehilla Community Synagogue in Berkeley. She later served as a student-intern at the Kolot Center for Jewish Women and Gender Studies, as a chaplain-in-training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and as a rabbinical intern at the JFCS of Philadelphia, where she worked with the HIV/AIDS community.
Rabbi Glazer holds a Bachelors degree from Francisco State University. With a background in comparative religion and holistic health she was trained as a Jewish meditation instructor at Chochmat Halev in Berkeley. After studying voice at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., she co-founded Vocolot, a Jewish singing group with whom she traveled and performed for nine years and recorded three albums. In addition to composing music for Jewish liturgy, Rabbi Glazer is a visual artist who mixes Hebrew text with spiritually oriented images.
“As a rabbi, I am committed to shaping a vibrant, relevant and compelling Judaism that balances tradition and change, and continually grows and evolves. I believe in opening the gates of Jewish learning and community to all seekers regardless of affiliation, identity or background," Rabbi Glazer said.
“As the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel Judea my role is to support the spiritual lives of individuals and families so that they may kindle and strengthen their relationship with God and with our beautiful Jewish heritage. By creating uplifting and meaningful worship services and a cultivating a welcoming and haimishe environment, I hope to inspire members to share their gifts so that they will take pride in their spiritual home. As a teacher and role model I seek to nurture our youth so that they will find meaning in their Jewish heritage and develop an authentic Jewish voice for their own generation.”
“I envision our congregation as a sacred community where we celebrate joyous occasions, participate in stimulating discussions, support one another though difficult moments and engage in communal acts of Tikkun Olam. I envision a congregation where intergenerational relationships blossom and thrive and where we work with our neighbors to build a more tolerant, diverse, just and ethical society,” she said.