Tamara Kolton Rabbi

Rabbi Tamara Kolton is the Senior Rabbi of The Birmingham Temple. 

*Rabbi Kolton grew up in the Birmingham Temple.  She celebrated her Bat-Mitzvah at the Temple and has been part of the Temple family since she was eight years old.  Her devotion to the The Birmingham Temple School is seen through the unique eyes of once being a child in the congregation.

*In 1999 Rabbi Kolton was the first rabbi to be ordained by The International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism, the seminary that ordains Humanistic rabbis. 

*Rabbi Kolton is the only woman rabbi in the Detroit Metropolitan Area who has a pulpit position as a Senior Rabbi.

Rabbi Kolton’s Studies:

Rabbi Kolton lived in Jerusalem for four years where she completed her undergraduate studies at Hebrew University. 

Rabbi Kolton has a Master’s degree in clinical psychology and worked for several years with children, adults, and in a psychiatric emergency room in Detroit.  She is a licensed clinical psychologist. 

In 1999 Rabbi Kolton completed her Ph.D. in rabbinic studies.  She wrote her dissertation on, “The Experience of Being a Woman Rabbi.”

Rabbi Kolton Believes:

Judaism needs to be allowed to evolve to meet the real needs of the Jewish people in every generation.  The Jewish and human experience are testimony to the need for a Humanistic approach to Judaism.

Intermarriage is a sign of a better world in which people marry each other beyond tribal lines and religious differences. All Jews should respect each other and welcome each other.

People thrive in a community setting where their roots are celebrated along with values such as love, integrity, courage, and self-reliance.

Children deserve a Jewish education that is relevant, captivating, and joyful.
                                   
*Rabbi Kolton is married to Isaac Kolton, an Israeli born in Petach Tikva.  Together they are raising their two young children, Lior and Maya in Farmington Hills and at The Birmingham Temple.

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