Spiritual Leadership

Alex Malanych, Student Rabbi

Dear Am Haskalah Community,

I am so excited to be saying “Shalom,” to begin serving as your student rabbi, and for the day when I meet you face-to-face. While I have been fortunate to serve and belong to many kinds of Jewish communities over the years as a professional and congregant, to be coming into this community that already feels so warm and welcoming is truly a blessing.

Though still early in my time at RRC, I have been a Jewish educator for the past decade, including most recently as the Education Director for Camp Havaya and the Rabbinic Intern at West Chester University Hillel. I enjoy learning and teaching about all things Jewish and otherwise—and love even more finding the intersections—so I look forward to hearing more about your passions and interests. Maybe I can even convince you to crochet a kippah with me!

Even in my first conversation with Liz and Jess, I could feel that Am Haskalah is a community that takes the responsibility to care for each other seriously. I feel incredibly lucky to be invited to become a part of your lives and you part of mine. To crib a verse from this week’s Torah portion, Korach, “All of the community are holy, all of them” (Num. 16:3). May we honor this spark in each other as we build a kehillah kedosha, holy community.

L’shalom,
Alex
(they/them)

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A Little More About Alex

Am Haskalah’s new student rabbi, Alex Malanych, is pursuing rabbinical studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, PA.

Alex grew up outside of New Haven, CT and lived throughout New England before moving to Pittsburgh, PA in 2014. Prior to coming to Am Haskalah, Alex earned graduate degrees in both English (University of Vermont) and Jewish Education (Gratz College). Over the past decade, they have worked as a Jewish educator, youth director, and prayer leader in synagogues, summer camps, and college campuses. Their passion for experiential education and community-building brought them to RRC in 2021. They are currently a Wexner Graduate Fellow-Davidson Scholar (Class 33).

Alex is deeply interested in the intersection between Judaism and the arts. They love learning and teaching about the history of Jewish liturgy/music as well as making Jewish ritual objects, like tallitot. In their free time, you can find Alex crafting with a coffee nearby.

Alex is excited to serve Am Haskalah and the broader Jewish community of the Lehigh Valley. Feel free to reach out to Alex: [email protected]