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Rabbi Goldsmith's Bio

Rabbi Michelle L. Goldsmith assumed the pulpit at Temple Beth-El, Birmingham’s home for Conservative Judaism, on July 1, 2009. In the short time that she has served as the spiritual leader of Temple Beth-El, she has created a series of successful adult education classes as well as outreach programs for young families. In addition she brings her unique style to the pulpit to create an atmosphere of relaxed yet spiritually uplifting Shabbat and holiday services.

Rabbi Goldsmith received her rabbinic ordination and M.A. from the Conservative Movement’s flagship school The Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1998. Prior to that, Rabbi Goldsmith earned her Master of Hebrew Letters in 1994 and her B.A. in 1993 from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles.

Before assuming the pulpit at Temple Beth-El, Rabbi Goldsmith served in two congregations in Florida. She first served as the Associate Rabbi at Beth Shalom Congregation in Jacksonville and then the Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota. In each community Rabbi Goldsmith was deeply involved in the educational programs of the synagogues, helping revitalize the religious schools, create well attended adult classes, family learning services and a series of self-guided Jewish tours of the local zoos, Botanical Gardens, and science museums. A prayer written by Rabbi Goldsmith appeared in Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin’s book Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope, a spiritual guide for those suffering from infertility and pregnancy loss.

Rabbi Goldsmith served as the President of the Sarasota-Manatee Rabbinical Association and has become involved as much as possible in the Birmingham Jewish Community since her arrival. She is currently serving as the Jewish representative for the UAB Campus Ministry Association.

Rabbi Goldsmith plays guitar and enjoys leading congregants and students in song. Rabbi Goldsmith and her husband Jeff live in Mountain Brook with their four children, Aviella, Rafaella, Jonah & Shiah.

Click here to email Rabbi Goldsmith.