Rabbi

Ethan Seidel has been the rabbi at Tifereth Israel since 1992. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Oberlin College.

Devoted to personal study and a gifted teacher, Rabbi Seidel sets time aside each day to expand his own knowledge of Jewish texts and commentaries, and to finding ways to make them accessible to his congregants. He is a committed mentor to those undergoing conversion to Judaism. He also takes his pastoral duties very seriously, providing time for personal counseling, and visiting the sick.

Rabbi Seidel has many talents and interests, including being an accomplished musician who sings and plays the piano. For his 25th anniversary with the congregation, he produced a beautiful collection of original songs and tunes, many of which are sung regularly on Shabbat by the congregation. He also writes and performs one-man plays to enhance our understanding of Torah.

Our rabbi is an enthusiastic biker (recently completing a solo trip to NY City and back), a “serious” juggler, a unicyclist, a gardener, a baker of breads and traditional Jewish pastries, and a hiker who loves to wander through Rock Creek Park on a Shabbat afternoon identifying wildflowers and butterflies.

He is married to Rachel Breslow Seidel, and they are the parents of three adult children.

If you are considering membership and want to speak with Rabbi Seidel directly he can be reached by calling 202-882-1605 x302. He would be happy to speak with you!

For more insight into Rabbi Seidel’s interests and ideas, you can read his columns in our monthly newsletter, The Menorah. You can also learn prayers, tunes, and the service with his MP3 files.