Meet Our Clergy

Rabbi Michael Gotlieb

Our spiritual leader is Rabbi Michael Gotlieb. He was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1990 where he also earned his Masters Degree in Jewish Studies. He completed his rabbinic internship at Columbia University. Before coming to KM, he served a congregation in North County San Diego for 5 years.

In addition to his congregational activities, Rabbi Gotlieb has served as president of the Rabbinical Assembly Southwest Region and is a member of the Southern California Board of Rabbis. He also volunteers at Santa Monica College Hillel and St. John’s Hospital.

Rabbi Gotlieb teaches courses at the American Jewish University and his editorials and commentaries have been published nationally.

The Rabbi’s wife, Jill, is a registered nurse and they make their home in Santa Monica. They have three children, Alissa (married to Zach Fierstadt), Jason, and Aaron, and a grandson Leo.

Rabbi Gotlieb has been the rabbi of Kehillat Ma’arav since arriving in Los Angeles in 1995.

You may reach Rabbi Gotlieb by calling the synagogue office or by e-mailing him.

Cantor Malachi Kanfer

Cantor Malachi Kanfer comes to us most recently from Sutton Place Synagogue in midtown Manhattan and brings with him over a decade of experience in Jewish life, in various roles, and with people of all ages.

He is a graduate of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he received numerous awards, including the Cantor’s Assembly Alumni Award, the Rose S. Rovine Prize in Liturgical Music, and the A.J. Weisgal Award. Malachi is also a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Upon moving to Los Angeles, he will also be attending the Zeigler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University this fall.

You can reach Cantor Kanfer by calling the synagogue office or by e-mailing him.