Ariel Hendelman is a Senior Rabbinic student with the ALEPH Ordination Program. She sees chant and meditation practice as the cornerstones of her spiritual life and leads chant circles online and in-person for organizations such as Or HaLev and Temple of the Stranger. Ariel teaches frequently at Lehrhaus Tavern and House of Learning in Boston on subjects such as dreaming in Jewish tradition and the legacy and lineage of Rabbi Akiva. 

​

Ariel's written words appear in Ayin Press, Double Blind Magazine and most recently on her Substack. While living in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem from 2015-2020, Ariel was an LGBTQ community organizer, founding Shabbat Shelach, which hosted monthly Shabbat meals, as well as the largest post-Pride Shabbat meal ever in Jerusalem. 

​

Ariel’s debut album, Prayers for Fire & Water, is a soulful blend of folk and niggunim. Her next musical release will be a series of chant EP's. In her free time, Ariel enjoys sitting around the bonfire with friends, and eating cornbread, possibly at the same time.

Erika Green is an experienced administrative professional, with a strong background in education and nonprofit work. She currently works with Newton Public Schools supporting students and families, and has previously worked with nonprofits in Mexico focused on educational access in underserved communities.

 

Erika recently joined the Jewish community through conversion, a journey that deepened her connection to spirituality, service, and meaningful work. As a native Spanish speaker, Erika values bridging cultures and building inclusive spaces.

 

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and being part of spaces that foster connection, purpose, and belonging.

For eight years, Rabbi Suri served as rabbi and spiritual director of B’nai Or, Jewish Renewal of Boston. Having studied with Reb Zalman Schachter, her PhD supervisor at Temple University, Jewish Renewal has long been her spiritual home. While AJR (the pluralistic Rabbinic Academy where she was ordained in 2008) gave her the tools to forge her Rabbinic career, music and Renewal kavanot have always been her spiritual grounding.

 

Previous to B’nai Or, Rabbi Suri taught at Sacred Heart University for eight years, where she was the rabbi on a Catholic Campus, enabling her to be directly involved in Interfaith Dialogue. She considers it is a blessing to be able to continue teaching, singing, and studying yahadut, even as she navigates these retirement years.