Rabbi Misha Shulman
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Educator, Rabbi, playwright and peace activist with deep love and knowledge of the Jewish tradition, unique communications skills and an approach that integrates faith, art and politics.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Founding Director
School for Creative Judaism
01.2010 - Current
- Created a platform for an open, inquisitive, artistic, and politically engaged Jewish religious life for mostly unobservant American Jews.
- Taught and oversaw Jewish education for thousands of children, preparing many for B’nai Mitzvah.
- Conducted hundreds of Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and supervised teacher training.
- Planned and led Shabbat services, High Holiday services, holiday events, arts events, and social justice volunteer programs.
- Expanded the school from 10 students to 130.
- Developed a seven-year curriculum cycle covering Jewish philosophy, peacemaking, storytelling, music, nature, art, and Shabbat.
- Created SCJ’s Living Curriculum, including Hebrew and B’nai Mitzvah preparation.
- Developed a 20th Century Jewish History Through Film curriculum responding to contemporary events.
- Opened and managed four school branches in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
- Directed music in services and managed a staff of 17 teachers plus administrative team.
- Oversaw budgeting, legal structuring, and fundraising, including creation of the Mitzvah Fund.
- Authored letters to the community on holidays, Jewish teachings, and current issues.
Rabbi
The New Shul
01.2020 - Current
- Provide spiritual, pastoral, and educational leadership for a diverse, creative Jewish community.
- Lead inclusive Shabbat and holiday services, integrating arts into ritual.
- Offer pastoral care, counseling, and life-cycle officiation (B’nai Mitzvah, weddings, funerals, conversions).
- Develop and teach Torah study and adult-education programs, including adult B’nai Mitzvah preparation.
- Founded The Ice Cream Club for teens and initiated multiple lay-led study groups.
- Started the Kumah Festival, combining faith, art, and politics.
- Design programs integrating Jewish text, creative practice, and community engagement.
- Manage organizational operations, communications, board collaboration, and community outreach.
- Build partnerships with local institutions to expand synagogue impact.
Jewish Community-Building Coordinator
Manny Cantor Center
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Planned and led community-building events for Jewish holidays in Lower East Side.
Head Teacher
Shul of New York
01.2009 - 01.2014
Special Programs Leader
Board of Jewish Education (now The Jewish Education Project)
01.2003 - 01.2012
- Created and led artistic programming touring Jewish institutions in the Tri-State area.
- Wrote, directed, and performed interactive plays on Jewish topics.
Teacher
Village Temple
01.2000 - 01.2007
1st & 7th Grade Teacher
Rodef Shalom Religious School
01.2000 - 01.2003
Commander in Charge of Education, YAKAL
Israel Defense Forces
01.1996 - 01.1999
Education
Independent Rabbinical Ordination -
01.2019
M.F.A. - Playwriting
Brooklyn College, City University of New York
01.2009
B.A. - Theatre
Hunter College, CUNY
01.2005
Fellowships
- FASPE, Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics – First independent rabbinical fellow, 2016
- LABA – National Laboratory for New Jewish Culture, Fellow, 2012–2013
- Crow’s Theatre, Toronto – Writer in Residence, 2008–2010
Plays
- PHARAOH, Theater for the New City, 2024 – “A gem of theatre art” (NY Theatre Wire)
- Martyrs Street, Theater for the New City, 2015 – “Should be required viewing for all” (Theater Scene)
- Deathscape, Theater for the New City, 2011 – “A dream sequence worthy of Dali” (Huffington Post)
- Questions I Try Not to Ask, Drilling Company Theatre, 2010
- Apricots, Factory Theatre, Toronto, 2009 – “A memorable fake-feces farce” (Globe and Mail)
- Brunch at the Luthers, Theater for the New City, 2008 – “Scarily bizarre” (Village Voice)
- Desert Sunrise, Lillian Theatre – Elephant Stageworks, L.A., 2008 – “Tersely poetic” (LA Times)
- The Fist, Theatre for the New City, Public Theatre of South Florida, Hunter College, 2003-4
Publications
- Desert Sunrise, Theater Communications Group, in Salaam; Peace: An Anthology of Middle-Eastern American Drama
- Monologues, Bloomsbury Press
- Articles published in: The Forward, Medium, Times of Israel, Tikkun Magazine, +972, FASPE Journal, NOW Magazine
Timeline
Rabbi
The New Shul
01.2020 - Current
Jewish Community-Building Coordinator
Manny Cantor Center
01.2012 - 01.2014
Founding Director
School for Creative Judaism
01.2010 - Current
Head Teacher
Shul of New York
01.2009 - 01.2014
Special Programs Leader
Board of Jewish Education (now The Jewish Education Project)
01.2003 - 01.2012
Teacher
Village Temple
01.2000 - 01.2007
1st & 7th Grade Teacher
Rodef Shalom Religious School
01.2000 - 01.2003
Commander in Charge of Education, YAKAL
Israel Defense Forces
01.1996 - 01.1999
M.F.A. - Playwriting
Brooklyn College, City University of New York
B.A. - Theatre
Hunter College, CUNY