Our CLERGY
Rabbi Mark Cooper
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Mark Cooper was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1985. Raised in Los Angeles, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from U.C.L.A. and a Bachelor of Literature degree from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. Prior to coming to South Orange, Rabbi Cooper served Temple Israel of Natick, Massachusetts, where he worked closely with Rabbi Harold Kushner, and Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen, New Jersey. He is a certified Mohel, having learned this time honored and sacred ritual in Jerusalem. Rabbi Cooper was Senior Rabbi at Oheb Shalom Congregation from 1998-2021.
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Cantor Erica Lippitz
Cantor Emerita
In 1987 the JTS invested two women as cantors for the first time in the history of the Conservative movement; Cantor Erica Lippitz was one of those first two. When she was hired by Oheb Shalom that same year, Cantor Lippitz began weaving together the strands of traditional prayer with the innovative sounds of American Jewish music. Cantor Lippitz is the founder of the 50-voice Kol Dodi Jewish community choir, and served as its director for many years. She also served as director of Oheb Shalom's adult and children's choirs during her tenure from 1987-2021.
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