Welcome Rabbi Michel Schlesinger

The Anshe Emet search committee has extended an invitation to Rabbi Michel Schlesinger for a weekend visit on the Shabbat of April 17. During Rabbi Schlesinger’s visit, you will have the opportunity to hear him participate in services, give a d’var, and teach a class. There will also be a Q&A session on the evening of Thursday, April 16. Following the visit of Rabbi Schlesinger, we will circulate a survey to obtain feedback on his Shabbat with us. 

Rabbi Michel Schlesinger is a native of Brazil. Prior to his current role as Rabbi of HERJC, he was the at Congregação Israelita Paulista (CIP) in São Paulo, Brazil, the largest synagogue in Latin America, where he was Senior Rabbi from 2007 to 2021 and Associate Rabbi from 2005 to 2007. He has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of São Paulo. He received his rabbinical ordination and a Masters in Talmudic Studies and Halacha from the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.

While at HERJC, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He was also the Liaison for Interfaith Dialogue for the New York Board of Rabbis and is a member of the Jewish National Fund’s “Rabbis for Israel.” He has published a book, Dialogues of aRabbi, and maintains a strong presence on Instagram as rabinomichel.

In addition to his Senior Rabbi role at CIP, Rabbi Schlesinger represented his congregation at the Jewish Confederation of Brazil for Interreligious Dialogue, the National Catholic-Jewish Dialogue in Qatar, Religions for Peace, the International Council of Christians and Jews, and the Abrahamic Forum. His interfaith work took him to audiences at the Vatican with Pope John Paul II (once) and Pope Francis (four times). He has continued his interfaith work while at HERJC and he considers it an important part of his rabbinate.

Rabbi Schlesinger, his wife, Juliana, have two teenage daughters, Naomi and Tamar. Juliana is currently an Educator at the Morgan Library in New York City.

As we prepare for our upcoming visit from Rabbi Schlesinger, we invite you to register and submit your questions in advance. Submitting questions ahead of time helps us shape a thoughtful and engaging discussion, ensures we address the topics most important to our community, and allows Rabbi Schlesinger the opportunity to reflect on and prepare for the issues that matter most to you.