Who will guide us through this transition? 

After many years with a beloved rabbi, your community may now find itself in the wilderness, in just such a liminal space—without a permanent spiritual leader, yet full of hope for what lies ahead. And as you begin the sacred task of discerning what comes next, you may consider the essential benefit of a visiting rabbi who brings years of pulpit experience, flexibility, creativity, and deep respect for the unique rhythm and culture of your community.

A fresh perspective can energize your community. 

Your community may be volunteer-led or supported by a small team, and you may benefit from occasional onsite or virtual clergy visits. bringing new insights, stimulating discussion, and strengthening the social ties within the congregation. I offer pastoral guidance and support to those facing personal challenges.  And, if you want to hire a rabbi, having a visiting rabbi can be a way to test the waters, to see what kind of rabbi would be a good fit for you. 

I don’t replace your future rabbi, but I will walk with you until they arrive.

As a visiting rabbi, I come to be with you, to hold the heart of your community in a transitional season.  I help ensure that services and programs are meaningful and effective. I partner with lay leaders, bridging the gap between the past you have loved and the future you are shaping. Together, we create a model that blends in-person visits with ongoing virtual connections.

Visiting rabbis are essential in preventing clergy burnout. 

Even in thriving congregations with strong spiritual leadership, there are times when your rabbi or cantor needs a break. A Shabbat off. A sabbatical. Time to breathe. While your lay leaders may step in, it is vital to have a clergy person who can provide spiritual support and maintain continuity.

When I fill in for even just one Shabbat, it conveys a powerful message to your community: We value our clergy’s well-being, acknowledge their need for rest, and trust that our community will be cared for in their absence.

Whether your congregation is in a time of struggle, transition, or simply needs to pause and renew, I help you navigate the in-between with grace, strength, and hope.

“Always spot on in your understanding”

I so appreciated–and loved–working together to think through what an effective weekend would look like for Beth Shalom, and seeing the wheels spinning with your creative thinking and ideas, always spot on in your understanding of the layering of this weekend to give the community a journey to help them begin a further journey of feeling and thinking. . .

Rabbi J.B. Sacks

Congregation Beth Shalom, Palm Desert, CA

“Sharing her calming and beautiful joyful energy”

Rabbi Leider provided spiritual leadership, light, love, and her special brand of ruach at last year’s annual shabbaton for a very diverse group of Jewish women in Southern California. It was truly wonderful to see her in action, whether leading a service, participating in a musical celebration, managing challenges, or simply sharing her calming, beautiful, and joyful energy with us. We are thrilled to have her returning next year; we hope to continue partnering for years to come!

Laura Arnold

Women’s Weekend

“She helped us heal after multiple congregational transitions”

We feel deep gratitude for Rabbi Leider’s wisdom as she helped us heal after multiple congregational transitions. She enabled our Cantor to take some well-deserved time off and spend quality time with his family.  She guided us with grace, shared her profound knowledge, and most importantly, led us with kindness and compassion. Her presence has been a source of comfort and strength to many, and she made us feel seen, heard, and understood.

President Felissa Goldstein

Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Louisville, KY

“It was such a relief and profound gift when she returned. . .”

She came to us as a High Holiday Rabbi and consultant when I had been the sole full-time clergy for two years. It was a profound relief and a great gift when she returned for short periods beyond the High Holidays to expand what we could do. Beyond giving inspiring Divrei Torah, she worked with preschoolers, adults, chanted Torah and Megillah, visited hospital patients, and helped congregants to process difficult national and local issues. Her skills and reach of resources are hard to find in one person.

Cantor David Lipp

Congregation Adath Jeshurun Louisville, KY

“I cannot recommend her highly enough. . .”

I had the pleasure of working closely with Rabbi Leider for about a year when we had an unexpected rabbinic vacancy. As we searched for a permanent rabbi, she filled that gap brilliantly, leading us with great compassion, wisdom, and empathy.  Her door was always open for thoughtful advice and counseling to staff and congregants during a difficult transition.  Her insights were invaluable to our ultimate search success. I cannot recommend her highly enough for any synagogue in need of rabbinic support for either the long or short term.

Andrew Epstein

Search Committee Chair
Congregation Adath Jeshurun
Louisville, Kentucky

 “She leads with professionalism and warmth. . .”

Rabbi Leider is on my short (and mighty!) list of rabbis who cover for me on weekends when I go away. With her many years of pulpit experience, I feel beyond comfortable as she officiates Shabbat services and attends to pastoral needs that arise while she is here. Many congregants tell me how much they enjoy Shabbat as she leads with professionalism and warmth, adding meaningful drashot (Torah interpretations) and davenning (prayer leading) to services. When I am away, I am confident that our community is well taken care of.

Rabbi Amanda Russell

Congregation Beth Sholom
San Francisco, CA