About Rabbi Emma Gottlieb
"Thank you for being a formidable force both in the shul and the process of my conversion. You have an innate ability to both strength and gentleness, both discipline and kindness, all the while ensuring growth on our path toward Hashem - in other words, a true leader."
Who Am I?
I am a Canadian born Rabbi, with over 20 years of experience in Jewish education and congregational leadership. More importantly, I’m a human being, doing my best to live a life of meaning. I have spent my rabbinate sharing my journey authentically with others, helping to connect the teachings, traditions and values of Judaism to the sacred and messy moments of our lives.
Now living and working in Barrie, Ontario, as the Spiritual Leader of Am Shalom Congregation, I am also extending my rabbinate beyond the synagogue walls, to support and celebrate with those on the fringes of the Jewish community – in the peaks and valleys of their lives – ensuring that anyone who is seeking meaning has access to Jewish rituals and spiritual care.
In addition to my congregational and lifecycle work, I am also the Founding Director of an End of Life Accompaniment practice, serving clients in the GTA and Simcoe County who are navigating any aspect of end-of-life, from pre-planning to grief support. I have seen first hand how knowing you are not alone can make all the difference in the hardest moments of life. Accompanying people as a resource and source of support is one of the most sacred aspects of my work.
My Professional Affiliations:
- Central Conference of American Rabbis
- S. African Association of Progressive Rabbis
- Women’s Rabbinic Network
Music, Prayer, Torah, Tikkun &
Sacred Writing
I access and experience Judaism most profoundly through music and prayer, through engaging in acts of repair and social justice, as well as through learning and teaching Torah, and reflecting on life and spirituality through sacred writings.
