Michael Witman joined Temple Emanu-El as the Director of Lifelong Learning in 2023. He is focused on creating accessible moments for parents to model Jewish life for their children throughout their lives. Prior to joining the team at Temple Emanu-El, Michael served as the Director of Family Life and Learning at B’nai Jeshurun in New York City for the past seven years. He previously served as the Director of Education at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck. Michael is a graduate of the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford.
Upon graduation, Michael joined the staff of Central Synagogue in Manhattan, initially as a member of the first full-time teaching team for supplementary religious school education, and worked as a liaison to the World Union for Progressive Judaism in Belarus.
In early 2012, he studied in Israel as a fellow in the third cohort of Leadership Institute: Shaping Congregational Leaders and Learners and was in one of the first cohorts of Matan Institute for Education Directors, a program that educates Jewish leaders in precepts for providing all Jewish children, including those with special needs, with a rich and meaningful Jewish education.
In 2012, he became the first winner of the Jewish Education Project’s (JEP) Young Pioneers Award for Congregational Learning. In June 2013, The Jewish Week recognized Michael as one of its “36 Under 36,” citing, in particular, his role in making Temple Beth-El a warm and welcoming house of gathering in the days following Hurricane Sandy.
Michael has a deep passion for music, especially rhythm, and has used his Shul of Rock program to enhance spirituality through drumming. He is an avid percussionist who enjoys playing with many other contemporary Jewish artists.
Michael is thrilled to be serving as the next Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple Emanuel and to be a part of an incredible team of clergy, professional staff, educators, and lay leaders looking to reignite how families identify with Jewish life. Michael lives in Manhattan with his wife, Rabbi Melissa Buyer-Witman, and three daughters Josie, Lily, and Nessa.
Read Mike’s latest blog, “Relational Zionism: Connecting the Next Generation to the Jewish People and Israel.”
Listen to Mike featured on “The Jewish Education Project’s Adapting Podcast.”
