Rabbi Danny Moss

Rabbi Moss brings a  wealth of experience to his leadership at TBT.  Prior to rabbinical school, he was an educator for teens and families at Temple Micah in Washington, D.C.  It was in this role where his love of Judaism became a true calling.  Yet, the foundation for Rabbi Moss’ deep connection to Judaism began in his youth. Fifteen joyful summers at the URJ’s first summer camp – Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin — showed Rabbi Moss that Judaism can be joyful, empowering, substantial, and fun.

Rabbi Moss joins the Temple Beth Tikvah congregation from Temple Israel in Westport, CT where he was the Associate Rabbi.  While there, he spearheaded initiatives in Adult Jewish Learning, Caring Community, and CONECT (community organizing for social justice). 

You might find him singing silly songs, teaching Talmud, dreaming up experiential family learning activities, or re-enacting epic lightsaber duels with B’nei Mitzvah students who share his love for Star Wars. Rabbi Moss has unending gratitude for his influential teachers, including mentors Dr. Larry Hoffman, Rabbi Danny Zemel, and advisor Dr. Alyssa Gray.

You can reach Rabbi Moss at rabbi@tbtshoreline.org or 203-245-7028

You can read Rabbi Moss’ High Holiday Sermons
Rosh HaShanah sermon
Kol Nidre sermon
Yom Kippur sermon

Rabbi Emerita Stacy K. Offner

Rabbi Offner served as the Rabbi of Temple Beth Tikvah from 2012 - 2021. She brought wisdom, joy and warmth which helped to create the vibrant and participatory congregation that TBT is today. Rabbi Offner is also the Founding Rabbi Emerita of Shir Tikvah Congregation in Minneapolis. Recognized as a pioneer in many ways since her Ordination in 1984, Rabbi Offner was honored with her own Wikipedia page.  A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Kenyon College, Rabbi Offner earned both her M.A. and Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City.

Rabbi Offner is married to Nancy Abramson, an MSW with extensive experience in the fields of mental health and non-profit management.  Their daughter, Cantor Jill Abramson, is the Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She is married to Rabbi Jonathan Malamy, Spiritual Director at the New Jewish Home in Manhattan. Rabbi & Nancy’s son, Dr. Charlie Abramson, and his wife Heather live in Aspen, Colorado where he serves as the Director of Emergency Services at Glenwood Hospital and she is Director Relationship Manager for Family Office Exchange. Rabbi and Nancy are the very proud grandparents of Eli, Sage and Max.

Read Rabbi Offner’s last sermon HERE.
View the L’Hitraot (See you later) party slideshow HERE.
Greater New Haven says farewell to Rabbi Offner - read the article HERE.

Rabbi EmeritUS HESCH SOMMER, D.Min.

Rabbi Hesch Sommer served as the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Tikvah for 26 years (1982-2008). During his tenure, Temple Beth Tikvah’s growth included the expansion of religious school learning through high school years; the establishment of Interfaith learning through partnerships with many of the Houses of Worship in the Madison and Guilford communities, the development of a broad and dynamic adult education program and the initiation of outreach to those who were unaffiliated. Rabbi Sommer received his MAHL, Rabbinic Ordination, and Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, from the New York campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. His Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling (1998) is from the joint program of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and the Post Graduate Center for Mental Health.

Rabbi Sommer is married to Dr. Linda Waldman, a retired pediatrician. His daughter, Leah, who was born a few months after he became TBT’s rabbi, is a clinical social worker. She is married to Elvys Contreras and is the mother of Kaleb and Luna.