Rabbi Elyssa Joy Austerklein
A person only sees with a meditative heart ~ Talmud Brachot 55b
“I am like an olive tree in the house of God, trusting in God's faithful love forever. I will praise You always for what You have done. I will proclaim before the faithful that Your name is good.” Psalms 52:10-11
I come to love God’s way and God’s people because I have been afforded the awesome gift of tremendous love. The rabbinate is an opportunity to share and spread that love through Judaism.
My Offerings
Chanting and Meditation
In a 75-90 minute prayer experience, Rabbi Elyssa seamlessly weaves together chanting, meditation, teaching and reflection. Each person opens to the possibility that they can walk in the ways of the Holy One, be better, and are loved. Original music, ancient liturgy, and both sephardic and ashkenazi traditions are incorporated.
Arts Workshop
In 75-90 minutes, Rabbi Elyssa facilitates participants in a text study to frame an art project. Possible themes are: "AHVH: The mystical Hebrew Letters" "God's 13 attributes in me" "Rosh Chodesh Coloring" "Miriam's Mandala." Or work with Rabbi Elyssa to come up with another theme. These projects use simple and easily accessible materials, as we focus on process and not product.
Torah Study
In 60 -90 minutes, Rabbi Elyssa teaches and invites participants to relate to Jewish texts in a personal and open way, making the old new with life. A variety of topics are available for Rabbi Elyssa to teach, such as:
Women of the Bible
Introduction to Talmud
Talmud Highlights
The Jewish Holiday Cycle
Special study on the Weekly Lectionary
The Interreligious Labyrinth
Sacred Space
High Holy Day Liturgy
Meaning of Chag/ Jewish Pilgrimage Festivals
Mommy Shower Ritual Leader
Traditionally, we don't buy anything for a baby until it is born. Because of this, it is not customary for Jewish women to have a baby shower. However, the idea of showering the mother-to-be with blessings and rituals of protection is entirely appropriate. Rabbi Elyssa leads these rituals and works with the family to choose fun and silly games which are in keeping with a Mommy Shower.
Weaning Ceremony Leader
A big celebration is recorded in the Torah when Isaac is weaned. Rabbi Elyssa has created a Weaning Ceremony to bring extra meaning and celebration to the end of the breast and bottle for your baby or toddler.
Lifecycle Facilitator and Leader
Whether it's for a brit bat, brit milah, wedding, funeral, or mikveh for a variety of transitions from bnai mitzvah to divorce to shloshim, Rabbi Elyssa brings creativity, joy and inspiration for all involved.
Testimonials
"Rabbi Elyssa has a spiritual gift. She can meld the traditional liturgy and ritual from our Jewish inheritance with a fresh approach that stimulates the spirit, mind, and body. Rabbi Elyssa has a voice that resonates within. " - Brad Robbins
"She brings Torah portions to life in a way that has congregants talking about them long after she has gone for the weekend." - Deb Litman
"Rabbi Elyssa is a creative, intelligent, and talented spiritual leader. She has a strong connection to God, and is able to model her connection to God for her congregants in a variety of innovative ways." -Keith Grossman
"It was a special experience to walk into Rabbi Elyssa's classroom as she consistently led our students on an intellectual and spiritual journey through Jewish texts and song. Her creativity and passion shone through in the talit - making project which she lovingly directed. Rabbi Elyssa is a wonderful teacher and role model for all." - Carolyn Keller
"So what can I say about Elyssa? She is earnest, introspective, cheerful, and deeply spiritual. She is personally engaging and wants to be engaged. She is game for trying new things. She is a person of great integrity. She appreciates the best in people and notices what others – or, at least, what I – can overlook." - David Crowson
Bio
Rabbi Elyssa is an artist, yogi, musician, and Founding Director of Ivrim Jews Without Borders. She is a graduate of Brandeis University, BU School of Theology, and the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College. Rabbi Elyssa has published in The Forward, eJewish Philanthropy, the journal Kerem, has contributed several times to the “Ask the Rabbis” section in Moment Magazine, and has a poem published in the volume When We Turned Within: Reflections on COVID-19. She is a trained mikveh guide, has led Hallel with Women of the Wall in Jerusalem, and was a "rabbi on the road" for the Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Rabbi Elyssa is a Rabbis Without Borders Fellow, and was named one of America’s 33 most inspiring rabbis of 2015 by The Forward. She has held pulpits in Conservative and Reform congregations in Florida, Ohio, Maryland and Alaska and has taught as faculty for the AOP (Aleph Ordination Program). She served as Vice President for the OHALAH Clergy Association for four years (2021-2025) and as the Secretary of the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis for two years (2023-2025). She is a devoted wife and mother.
