Rabbi Marshal Klaven

The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life welcomes Marshal Klaven to its dynamic team of Jewish professionals. Rabbi Klaven succeeds two outstanding Rabbis, Debra Kassoff and Batsheva Appel, as the Institute’s third Director of Rabbinic Services. In addition to continuing their inspirational work - facilitating the religious needs of our Southern Jewish communities - Rabbi Klaven looks forward to strengthening the relationships that have been built throughout the years of ISJL service to these communities.

As a native of St. Louis, Missouri, Rabbi Klaven first learned the value of community action in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle. Yet, his path towards leadership in the Jewish community began in the Reform Movement’s youth organization:  The North American Federation of Temple Youth – Missouri Valley, as he served on the regional board of this seven state region.

While attending college at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida and earning a Bachelors of Social Work with two minors (Ethnic Studies & Judaic Studies), he continued his passion for community service. He founded the first Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America – Gold Coast Chapter – Teen Support Group (receiving the Palm Beach County Service Award in recognition for this work) and spirited the Conservative Movement’s youth organization: United Synagogue Youth – HaNegev Region as an advisor. Instead of taking breaks during the summers, Rabbi Klaven worked at the URJ Camp of Goldman Union Camp Institute as a counselor as well as a Migdal (Climbing Tower), Ivrit (Hebrew) and Tefilah (Prayer) specialist.

Most recently, Rabbi Klaven comes to the ISJL from Cincinnati, OH after serving as the Rabbinic Intern for Valley Temple and being ordained at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. His outstanding service to the Cincinnati community - for which he was honored by the seminary with the Rabbi Ferdinand M. Isserman Prize – mirrors his dedication to the global community. In 2006, Rabbi Klaven took a commission in the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lt. Chaplain Candidate. In his three years of service to our country he supported our service men and women here and abroad, earning numerous commendations including the USAF Distinguished Leadership Award.

His life’s devotion to our country, its communities as well as its individuals is and will continue to be a great asset to the ISJL and the communities we are honored to serve. After all, God said to Abraham (Gen. 13:14): “Raise your eyes and look out from where you are, to the north and the south.” Well, Rabbi Klaven has set his sights on our Southern communities and looks forward to seeing y’all soon!

If you would like to contact Rabbi Klaven, you can email him at mklaven@isjl.org or call (601) 362-6357.