Third-year rabbinical school student Amelia Wolf is serving as the spiritual leader of Temple Beth El, Oneonta, this year. Wolf is taking part in the Gladstein Fellowship in Entrepreneurial Leadership, a joint project between Jewish Theological Seminary and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join Temple Beth El,” Wolf said. “I’m looking forward to bringing the skills I’ve learned in rabbinical school into practice during my time as a Gladstein Fellow. The congregation is such a warm and welcoming place, which I’m sure will become like a second home to me.” 

Wolf also serves as rabbinic intern at Conservative synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale in the Bronx, where she lives, and is one of the founders of Minyan Atara, the only daytime egalitarian minyan in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Prior to her enrollment at the Jewish Theological Seminary, she worked at Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action and at Sefaria as the development and communications associate. She holds a B.A. in anthropology from Reed College and grew up in Portland, OR.

“As a community representing a variety of Jewish experiences, we are thrilled to welcome Amelia to our community,” said Stephanie Bauer, president of Temple Beth El. “While here, we are looking forward to her leading services, working with our interfaith families, helping to prepare our b’nai mitzvah students, and bringing her wisdom and knowledge to the members of the congregation. We are so honored and grateful that she chose to come to rural New York for her Gladstein Fellowship experience.”

The Gladstein Fellowship is designed to provide “an intensive experience” in practical rabbinics and community development for students studying for the rabbinate at JTS. “The fellowship inspires entrepreneurial leadership in its rabbinic fellows, teaching them to listen critically, think boldly, craft a vision, overcome obstacles, and lead a community in achieving its goals,” according to JTS. “Students in the fellowship reside in one of two teaching congregations and serve as rabbinic leaders in a community poised to grow into its full potential.”