Rabbi Mike Rothbaum
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Email Rabbi Mike
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Congregation Dor Hadash is thrilled to welcome Michael Rothbaum (he/him) as our new rabbi. Rabbi Mike was raised in Rockland County, New York, just north of New York City. As a teenager, Rabbi Mike became involved with the local NAACP and helped start his high school’s first Amnesty International chapter. In retrospect, he has identified the Jewish imperative of r’difat tzedek – the mitzvah to pursue justice – as the force that solidified his love of Judaism and his passion to become a rabbi.
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Rabbi Mike has been described as a dynamic spiritual leader, educator, and justice advocate, bringing over 25 years of experience cultivating inclusive and vibrant Jewish communities. He has served in New York, Massachusetts, and Georgia for over 25 years, as campus rabbi, rabbi/educator, and pulpit rabbi. In Oakland, he served as Co-Chair of the Bay Area Regional Council of Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice. He has sought to work with the communities he’s served in bridging tradition and innovation — revitalizing prayer services, reimagining holiday celebrations, and crafting transformative educational experiences for all ages.
His writing has been featured in The Nation, The Forward, Tikkun, Sojourners, Alma, Ha’aretz, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the anthology, Peace, Justice, and Jews: Reclaiming Our Tradition. An AJWS Global Justice Fellow and a proud alumnus of Seminary Summer, a joint project of the AFL-CIO and Interfaith Worker Justice, Rabbi Mike is frequently invited to teach at national Jewish learning platforms such as Limmud, Mazon, and Moishe House, sought out for his leadership at the intersection of faith and justice. Rabbi Mike’s religious-based activism has been covered in several media outlets, including CNN and i24 Israeli television.
Devoted to creating and nurturing vibrant learning communities, teaching Torah that touches heart, mind, and soul, and continuing the Jewish mission he discovered as a teenager of pursuing justice, Rabbi Mike is a passionate advocate for the idea that every moment is an opportunity to make a Jewish choice. Rabbi Mike just celebrated 10 years married to his husband, internationally-acclaimed Yiddish vocalist Anthony Mordechai Tvzi Russell, who kindly tolerates his passion for fair-trade coffee, Bob Dylan, and manual transmission.
His writing has been featured in The Nation, The Forward, Tikkun, Sojourners, Alma, Ha’aretz, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the anthology, Peace, Justice, and Jews: Reclaiming Our Tradition. An AJWS Global Justice Fellow and a proud alumnus of Seminary Summer, a joint project of the AFL-CIO and Interfaith Worker Justice, Rabbi Mike is frequently invited to teach at national Jewish learning platforms such as Limmud, Mazon, and Moishe House, sought out for his leadership at the intersection of faith and justice. Rabbi Mike’s religious-based activism has been covered in several media outlets, including CNN and i24 Israeli television.
Devoted to creating and nurturing vibrant learning communities, teaching Torah that touches heart, mind, and soul, and continuing the Jewish mission he discovered as a teenager of pursuing justice, Rabbi Mike is a passionate advocate for the idea that every moment is an opportunity to make a Jewish choice. Rabbi Mike just celebrated 10 years married to his husband, internationally-acclaimed Yiddish vocalist Anthony Mordechai Tvzi Russell, who kindly tolerates his passion for fair-trade coffee, Bob Dylan, and manual transmission.
Rabbi Educator, Rabbi Ally Jacobson
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Rabbi Ally Jacobson joined Congregation Dor Hadash in 2024 and holds the position of Rabbi Educator. She leads Congregation Dor Hadash’s Gesher education program, and oversees the B Mitzvah program. She appreciates guiding students and families through their unique and sacred Jewish educational journeys. Additionally, Rabbi J collaborates with the JCC to ensure that our members are able to participate in its meaningful programming throughout the year.
During her time at Dor Hadash, Rabbi J has restructured the Gesher Hebrew program to provide students with more individualized support, she has revised its Jewish Studies Curriculum to include deeper exploration of Torah and Jewish values, and Gesher enrollment has increased by 25%.
Rabbi J appreciates Dor Hadash’s progressive approach to Judaism, its rituals, sacred texts, and values. She and her family have found a warm and inclusive community among its members, and they all enjoy attending (and leading) Gesher and Dor Hadash programming. You can find them at Gesher on Sunday mornings or at First Friday night Shabbat services.
Rabbi J served as the middle school rabbi of the San Diego Jewish Academy for six years, where she taught courses about Tanakh (Jewish Bible), Jewish Ethics, Advanced Torah Study, Talmud, and Jewish History. Prior to moving to San Diego, Rabbi J led and taught in supplementary schools and Jewish Day schools in St. Louis, Phoenix, and Cincinnati.
Outside the classroom and off the bima, she enjoys rock climbing, going to the beach, and baking new flavors of challah (though chocolate remains a Dor Hadash oneg favorite).
During her time at Dor Hadash, Rabbi J has restructured the Gesher Hebrew program to provide students with more individualized support, she has revised its Jewish Studies Curriculum to include deeper exploration of Torah and Jewish values, and Gesher enrollment has increased by 25%.
Rabbi J appreciates Dor Hadash’s progressive approach to Judaism, its rituals, sacred texts, and values. She and her family have found a warm and inclusive community among its members, and they all enjoy attending (and leading) Gesher and Dor Hadash programming. You can find them at Gesher on Sunday mornings or at First Friday night Shabbat services.
Rabbi J served as the middle school rabbi of the San Diego Jewish Academy for six years, where she taught courses about Tanakh (Jewish Bible), Jewish Ethics, Advanced Torah Study, Talmud, and Jewish History. Prior to moving to San Diego, Rabbi J led and taught in supplementary schools and Jewish Day schools in St. Louis, Phoenix, and Cincinnati.
Outside the classroom and off the bima, she enjoys rock climbing, going to the beach, and baking new flavors of challah (though chocolate remains a Dor Hadash oneg favorite).
Song Leader Hilly Rubin
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Hillel “Hilly” Rubin is a San Diego native and SDSU alum with over 15 years of professional experience in Jewish music, education, and community engagement. He has been the primary cantorial soloist and songleader at Congregation Dor Hadash for the past eight years, having first joined the community in 2009. In this role, Hilly leads services that blend tradition, creativity, and a participatory spirit—helping congregants feel welcome, uplifted, and connected through meaningful, memorable prayer experiences.
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Beyond Dor Hadash, Hilly serves as Membership Manager at the Lawrence Family JCC and as a Military Police Officer in the California Army National Guard.
Known for his warmth, thoughtful leadership, and love of community, he is passionate about helping people find a sense of belonging and joy in Jewish life.
Known for his warmth, thoughtful leadership, and love of community, he is passionate about helping people find a sense of belonging and joy in Jewish life.
Congregational Administrator Eliana Rosenzweig
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Eliana is an energetic and friendly professional who has been part of the San Diego Jewish community since her family moved here in 2006. They found their havurah (community) at Congregation Beth Am, where she worked for three years as Office Coordinator and Assistant Director of Membership and Communications. She has a passion for all animals and enjoys reading and spending time with her two dogs. Please note Eliana is a part-time employee and does not work on Shabbat.
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