Rabbi Michael Luckens

Rabbi Michael Luckens has been the Rabbi at Kerem Shalom since 1978. He works to create a deeply rooted and joyful Jewish communal life. Rabbi Luckens is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. He has a Masters degree in Education and a PhD in Religion.

Rabbi Luckens focuses on Torah/teaching, Avodah/creating a strong and connected spiritual community, and Gemilut Chasadim/supporting individuals and improving our world. He teaches Judaism in the Kerem Shalom community and works with kids and adults in preparing for Bat and Bar Mitzvah. Rabbi Luckens also works with individuals who are thinking about becoming Jewish.

Partnering with synagogue member David Orlinoff, Rabbi Luckens wrote and edited our prayerbook, Shir Ha-Lev (Song of the Heart).

Rosalie Gerut, Director of Cantorial and Adult Programming

Rosalie Gerut has been with Kerem Shalom since the early 1980s. She is an educational psychologist and singer/songwriter who brings her love of Judaic studies and music to Kerem Shalom. She participates in leading services and develops adult programs that build community and deepen our understanding of Judaism.

Rosalie has received The Charlotte Bloomberg Award for the establishment of One by One, Inc., the Brandeis University Bolli Award for Outstanding Speaker (on the subject of the Holocaust and the role of music), and the WMJX Exceptional Woman Award for Courage. Her publications include original music for recordings, plays, and ballet, as well as articles on the subject of trauma and healing from the fallout of the Holocaust. Rosalie holds a B.A. from Brandeis University, an M.A. from Tufts University, and over the years has continued her studies in psychology, Judaism, and Biblical Hebrew.

Education Director Pat Lukens

Pat Lukens is in her tenth year as Kerem Shalom’s Education Director. Prior to coming to Kerem Shalom, Pat worked at Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland for thirteen years, as the Family Educator and as a teacher. She is a graduate of Hebrew College Master’s Program and was a member of the first class of Family Educators at Hebrew College.  

Ms. Lukens’ Family Education Programs and articles have been published by the Boston Bureau of Education, Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education, Whizin Institute of Family Education, and Pitome Publishing. She is a 2008 recipient of the Keter Torah Award from the Boston Bureau of Jewish Education.

Family Educator Nancy Kaplan

Nancy Kaplan joined Kerem Shalom as a member in 1999 and as Family Educator in 2002, after a year of teaching in Kerem Shalom's school. During the 1990's Nancy taught the Jewish children (including her own, Anna and Katie) of Rapid City, South Dakota's Synagogue of the Hills. Nancy completed the Jewish Family Education certificate program at Hebrew College in Newton in 2007.

In addition to leading family programs at Kerem Shalom including our monthly Tot Shabbat services, monthly Interfaith Conversations and our annual community-wide Mitzvah Day, Nancy leads the Mak'aylah (youth chorus) for children grades 5 and up, teaches music to K-6 students in the religious school and plays piano during Kerem Shalom's Mostly Music Shabbat services. Nancy has a Masters in Medical Illustration from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in Biology from Tufts University.

Temple Administrator Carol Nathan

Carol Nathan is the newest addition to our staff, having joined us in March 2008 as our Temple Administrator. Carol is the point person for staff, congregation and the general public. She keeps our busy temple running smoothly.