PRESENTING JENNIFER RACHEL ROLNICK KEREN AS RABBI AND TEACHER IN ISRAEL
Presented by Cantor Anna May
I first met Jen Rolnick in Jerusalem in the summer of 2014 when she was a cantorial student at JTS doing a year of study in Israel and I was about to begin my cantorial studies at JTS that Fall. I remember being so impressed by her- she was full of energy and seemed very much in her element in Israel. I attended a cantorial student concert that she helped organize and was amazed by her talent and ability to put together such an event. We became friends and we went on a few day trips in Israel. She was passionate about Hebrew language and culture and always wanted to converse in Hebrew when possible.
Back in NYC, as I began my studies, Jen was a role model for me. I learned from her how to take on leadership roles, as she was the president of the cantorial school students ' organization. With a room full of cantors-to-be, our meetings could get chaotic at times, but she strove to keep us in order and keep things moving.
Jen gave me my first opportunity to perform in a cantorial concert at her student pulpit in Connecticut, a concert for Yom Yerushalayim. This was a big deal for me, as I was a first-year student and had done little performing. She helped me choose appropriate repertoire and supported me through the process. Jen is a natural performer and was a great example to learn from.
I ' ve also had the privilege to be a part of some of Jen ' s important life events. I remember when she met her husband, Ido, and I was honored to chant one of the sheva berakhot at their wedding, as she did at mine. I ' ve loved spending time with her sons Shai and, now, Rafi. Even though we ' ve lived in different states since Jen graduated from JTS, I ' m so happy we ' ve always been able to stay in touch and be a part of each other’ s lives.
Jen will be a great Rabbi and I am not surprised that she decided to pursue the Rabbinate, as she has a gentle and kind neshamah, and a deep love for Judaism and for serving the Jewish People.
BEIT DIN
Rabbi Matthew Goldstone, PhD- Somekh Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD Rabbi Lexie Botzum
10 AJR 2026