Meet Our Clergy
Before coming to MRT, Rabbi Edelman served congregations throughout the New York and New Jersey area, including Temple Emanu-El in Westfield, New Jersey; The Community Synagogue in Port Washington, New York; and Temple Sha’arey Shalom in Springfield, New Jersey.
Rabbi Edelman was ordained at the New York campus of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in 1997 and received her Honorary Doctorate from HUC-JIR in 2022. She is a graduate of Brandeis University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1990.
A passionate teacher and spiritual guide, Rabbi Edelman is particularly dedicated to helping ancient Jewish texts speak to contemporary life. She believes that Torah remains a living source of wisdom and strives to make Jewish learning engaging, meaningful, and relevant. Known for meeting people where they are, she cultivates deep and lasting relationships with congregants at every stage of life, from young children and families to older adults.
Rabbi Edelman is also committed to social justice, interfaith engagement, and building bridges across communities. She believes that Jewish values call us not only to strengthen our own community but also to work toward a more compassionate and equitable world.
Outside the synagogue, Rabbi Renee enjoys reading, musical theater, hiking and climbing mountains, practicing yoga, and challenging herself in a great Pilates class.
Rabbi Renee and her husband, Shane, are the proud parents of three children.
Prior to joining MRT, Cantor Lebovitz served as Assistant Cantor at Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto from 2022-2026, where she played a central leadership role in worship, youth engagement, and collaborative clergy work.
Cantor Lebovitz is ordained at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and holds a Master of Sacred Music, as well as a Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service with high honors in nonprofit management from Gratz College. Her work is guided by a cantorial vision rooted in sacred relationships, meaningful prayer, and compassionate presence.
In addition to her congregational leadership, she is deeply committed to community service, serving in Disaster Spiritual Care roles with the American Red Cross in both the United States and Canada — work she looks forward to continuing upon her return to the U.S. She also brings a lifelong love of Jewish camp, shaped by her experiences as a camper, staff member, and faculty member at URJ Camp Harlam, URJ 6 Points Sports Academy, and URJ Camp George.
Originally from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Cantor Lebovitz is excited to be returning to New Jersey and joining the Monmouth Reform Temple community. She looks forward to building strong relationships, honoring MRT’s musical traditions, and helping shape a vibrant spiritual future.
Cantor Emerita
Cantor Gabrielle Clissold, Cantor Emerita, devoted twenty five years to serving Monmouth Reform Temple with creativity, compassion, and a deep love of Jewish music and community. Since joining the clergy team in 2002, she helped guide the congregation through periods of growth and transition while building meaningful connections across generations of temple families.
A native of South Orange, New Jersey, Cantor Clissold discovered her passion for Jewish music and communal life at an early age. After studying classical voice and serving as a cantorial soloist in North Carolina, she pursued cantorial studies at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. Her connection to Monmouth Reform Temple began even before ordination, when she first stood on the bimah as a substitute cantor and immediately felt the warmth and spirit of the congregation that would become her extended family.
Known for her warmth, accessibility, and joyful spirit, Cantor Clissold became a beloved presence in the lives of congregants of all ages. She formed lasting relationships with generations of B’nai Mitzvah students and their families, embraced technology and livestreaming to expand participation and connection, and helped sustain and strengthen temple life through times of change. Her leadership blended tradition, innovation, music, teaching, and pastoral care in ways that helped create a vibrant and welcoming Jewish community.
Cantor Clissold now resides in New York City’s Hudson Heights neighborhood with her husband, John. She is the proud mother of two grown sons, Asher and Simon, and looks forward to remaining connected to the MRT community in this meaningful new role as Cantor Emerita.
Rabbi Emerita
Rabbi Sally J. Priesand, America’s first female rabbi, was ordained in June 1972, by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to the Bachelor of Hebrew Letters and the Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Cincinnati. In 1973, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Florida International University, and in 1997, an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from HUC-JIR. Upon ordination, Rabbi Priesand accepted a position at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City where she served for seven years, first as Assistant Rabbi and then as Associate Rabbi. Beginning in 1981 she served as Rabbi of Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. In 2006, she retired, becoming Rabbi Emerita. Her steady guidance in the subsequent years makes her a guiding light at MRT. To learn more about the many organizations she’s been apart of shaping, the books she’s published, or the myriad awards bestowed upon this transformational rabbi we’re so grateful to call one of us, please click here.