MEET

Rabbi Ari Perten

Hi, I'm Rabbi Ari Perten. I have spent my career working within the Jewish community serving as a synagogue rabbi, camp director, Hillel director, and, most recently, as the founding Director of the Norman E. Alexander Center for Jewish Life in Washington Heights, NY. I hold rabbinic ordination from JTS, an MA in Jewish Education from the William W. Davidson School of Jewish Education, and BAs from both JTS (Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages) and Columbia University (International Politics).

I believe in creative thinking and deeply resonant, multi-entry access to Judaism as a tool towards crafting a meaningful life. The joy of Jewish learning is centered on unabashedly asking questions and exploring a wide array of responses.

Ari lives in Teaneck, NJ with his wife, three children, and dog.