Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein is originally from Northbrook, IL where she attended Congregation Beth Shalom, Solomon Schechter Day School, and Chicagoland Jewish High School. She earned her BA in International Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, spending a semester abroad in Rabat, Morocco, and summers studying in Paris and the Republic of Georgia. When she wasn’t serving coffee as a barista at a local coffee shop or teaching Hebrew at Central Reform Congregation, Rabbi Rachel spent much of her time at Hillel–baking challah with Challah for Hunger, organizing Shabbat dinners, and planning services. Rabbi Rachel began her rabbinic studies at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, before transferring and completing her studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City where she earned a Master’s in Jewish Education. While in rabbinical school, Rabbi Rachel served in diverse rabbinic roles including in synagogues, day schools, Jewish non-profits, and hospitals. Prior to joining Temple of Aaron, Rabbi Rachel served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County. In addition to her work overseeing the programming and operations of the Jewish Federation, Rachel directed the Zachor Anti-Semitism Initiative, an innovative program of the Federation working to root out anti-Semitism in Orange County through education, community building, and security. Rabbi Rachel is a Mandel Executive Leadership Program Fellow and a 2021 Hadar Jewish Wisdom Fellow. Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein is excited to serve as Rabbi of Temple of Aaron alongside her husband, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein. She is eager to meet the members of Temple of Aaron and to help each member find their place in our community. Feel free to email Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein or call 651-252-6412.

Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein is originally from New Hyde Park on Long Island, NY, and has spent time living in Brooklyn, Washington D.C., Jerusalem, and Los Angeles. Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein first decided that he wanted to be a rabbi when he was only a young boy while sitting in seats similar to the ones at Temple of Aaron. He was mesmerized by the inspiring words of the Torah delivered by the rabbi and stirred by the communal music of the prayer service. On the way home from synagogue, Rabbi Rubenstein would discuss and debate the rabbi’s sermon with his family and experienced the transformational impact of Torah, community, and Shabbat. Rabbi Rubenstein decided then that he wanted to dedicate his professional life to studying and teaching the wisdom of our tradition so that I could help escort others through this holy experience. Throughout high school, Rabbi Marcus continued to learn and connect to the Jewish community, while also pursuing his other passion of music performance. He is an active, experienced, and avid jazz trumpet player which he hopes to continue in the Twin Cities. He earned his B.A at George Washington University where he received a Presidential Arts scholarship in jazz music. There he majored in religion and music and split his time between Hillel and playing music, performing at the Kennedy Center and throughout D.C. After university, Rabbi Rubenstein immersed himself in the learning of Torah, concentrating in the areas of Kabbalah and Chasidut (Jewish mysticism and spirituality) as well as the more traditional areas of Talmud, Jewish law, and Tanakh. Learning, and teaching what he learns in an organic and thoughtful way continues to be his spiritual sustenance and passion. Rabbi Rubenstein hopes to help open up the wisdom of the Jewish tradition to everyone, including those who have historically been on the margins or left out, bringing Torah to meet people where they are and helping to enrich their lives. Rabbi Marcus first served as the rabbi of Temple Sinai in Middletown, NY, and completed six meaningful years there. As the only Conservative synagogue within a 25-mile radius, he did a little bit of everything: reading Torah, delivering sermons, officiating life-cycles, coordinating and teaching Hebrew school, teaching adult education, visiting with community members who were ill, and working to meet the needs of every member of my community at every stage of life. Rabbi Rubenstein is especially proud of leading the community, with the help of the local Interfaith Council, to open a Homeless warming station within the synagogue during the COVID-19 pandemic housing overnight over 400 different men and women over the cold winter months. Rabbi Marcus has an amazing wife and co-rabbi, Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein as well as their 2-year-old daughter Hadassah, and two rescue dogs, Louie and Ruby. In his free time, Rabbi Marcus enjoys watching sports (big soccer fan), performing and listening to music, running, biking, hiking, reading comic books, and enjoying a good dram of scotch or bourbon. But above all, he most enjoys being with the community. He can’t wait to connect with his new Temple of Aaron family. To read Meir HaAretz, Rabbi Marcus’ personal Jewish thoughts digital newsletter, click here. You are encouraged to email Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein or call 651-252-6411 anytime.

Joshua joined Temple of Aaron in July 2010 as our Director of Education and has since expanded his role in many ways as our Cantor/Educator. Josh has been active in synagogue life since growing up in the house of a Rabbi. After going to Ramah Poconos in 1990 he helped form his USY chapter and became very active in the greater Jewish community. While attending the University of Maryland he worked in 3 different synagogues in various roles and eventually as a Youth Director. After 6 years as a Youth Director in Olney and Baltimore, he returned to school back home in Philadelphia at Gratz College. While there, he received a master’s degree in Jewish Communal Service and a certificate in Non-Profit Management while acting as the Youth Director, B’nai Mitzvah tutor, Junior Congregation leader, and wearing many other hats at Beth El in Cherry Hill/Voorhees in New Jersey. Upon finishing studies at Gratz he went to work at Kellman Brown Academy, a Solomon Shechter Jewish Day School, in Voorhees, New Jersey as their Director of Programming and Development. As a Hebrew school teacher, Junior Congregation coordinator and leader, B’nai Mitzvah tutor, USY advisor, Youth Director, Assistant Hebrew High School Director, Confirmation Coordinator, and Director of Programming and Development, he has watched and helped many children grow and connect to Judaism. He has held many positions on a national level with JYDA & JEA, and received his CJE(Conservative Jewish Educator) title in 2006. He, his wife Andrea, who hails from the Twin Cities, and their sons Jonah and Gordon live with their dog Charlie in Golden Valley. They are happy to be a part of the Temple of Aaron family and Joshua is proud to have taken on the title of Cantor/Educator in hopes of continuing to inspire people spiritually and educationally in the years to come. Feel free to email Joshua Fineblum or call 651-252-6403 with any questions about our schools, youth programming, participation in services, B’nai mitzvah, and beyond.