Rabbi Jennifer T. Kaluzny - jkaluzny@temple-israel.org 
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Rabbi Kaluzny served Temple Israel for seven years, since her ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2004. She is a proud Wolverine, having earned a degree in Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan in 1999. Rabbi Kaluzny feels both proud and lucky to be back at her home congregation. She was in the first nursery school class at Temple Israel, was blessed here, celebrated her bat mitzvah, confirmation, and graduation here, and married Ryan Kaluzny on that same bimah in 2007. In March of 2010, they welcomed their beautiful daughter Bayla Shy into their family. She is their light and joy and the cutest baby in the world.
Rabbi Kaluzny shares her time at Temple Israel with the Jewish Hospice and Chapliancy Network. She has been a rabbi in the network for 10 years. Rabbi Kaluzny was deeply affected by the death of her beloved Aunt in a hospice in Chicago when she was 19, and promised then that her work as a rabbi would include working with hospice patients and their families. Rabbi E.B. ‘Bunny’ Freedman became a mentor for Rabbi Kaluzny when she was still in rabbinical school. Today, Rabbi Kaluzny helps guide Temple Israel families through the questions, decisions, and Jewish issues that might arise at the end of life. Through her work at JHCN and Temple Israel, Rabbi Kaluzny spends a great deal of time in nursing home and assisted living facilities visiting older adults and helping keep them connected to Temple Israel and the Jewish community, as well as connecting them to services in the community they might need.
Rabbi Kaluzny also plans events for the IMAGINE young adult congregation of Temple Israel, runs the 8th grade program on Monday nights, helps coordinate the Couple’s Club, works on interfaith initiatives, works with the shivah minyan core, and whatever else comes her way! Temple Israel is a busy place, and Rabbi Kaluzny loves being a part of the action. It is truly a labor of love.
Rabbi Kaluzny’s parents, David and Yolanda Tisdale, are devoted and active members of Temple Israel, as is her sister Risa and her niece Alli. David also serves Temple as the executive director. Temple Israel has always been a second home for Rabbi Kaluzny, and she prays it will be for her children as well.
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