Rabbi Mark S. Glickman is the spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Ami, in Woodinville WA, and of Congregation Kol Shalom, on Bainbridge Island WA. He is also a regular religion columnist for the Seattle Times, and has served on the faculties of Pacific Lutheran University and Seattle University. From 1997-2004, he was rabbi of Temple Beth El in Tacoma, Washington.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in suburban Chicago, Rabbi Glickman graduated cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis in 1985. He received his Rabbinical Ordination from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 1990. After serving as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations' Director of Youth Leadership for one year, Rabbi Glickman became the Assistant Rabbi of Temple Israel in Dayton, Ohio. Later promoted to Associate Rabbi, Rabbi Glickman served in Dayton for six years. Rabbi Glickman is affiliated with a variety of community and civic organizations, and has written and spoken on many topics concerning Judaism and modern life. On January 1, 2000, the Tacoma News Tribune named Rabbi Glickman one of the “20 People to Watch for the Century.”

Rabbi Glickman lives in Woodinville with his wife, Caron, and their children, Shoshana, Jacob, Kyleigh, and Taylor.

Click here to go to Rabbi Glickman's page on this site.

Rita Izhaky was born in New York and studied at the Yeshiva of Flatbush where she learned Tanach, Gemarah, Hebrew, Mitzvot, Halacha, etc. Rita credits her years at the Yeshiva for spiritually molding her into who she is today. Attending Columbia University, Rita has a dual degree in teaching both Regular and Special Education.

Rita lived in Israel for a few years where she worked with children with dyslexia and taught them English as a second language. As Religious School Director, and as a parent, her goal is to inspire our Jewish youth with a love and knowledge of Judaism, Israel, Holidays, Traditions, and Customs.

Rita is married to Tamir, and since 2000 they have lived in Kirkland with their daughters Michali, Tali and Orli.

We are fortunate in having such gifted musical accompanists as Shiri Rosenstein and Abram Spiegelman, both of whom donate their time and talents to our worship services.

Shiri Rosenstein leads our choir, which performs during various Jewish holidays. She also serves as musical accompaniment during our services, playing the flute and singing.

Abram Spiegelman was raised in a household immersed in Jewish tradition and practice, and attended Hebrew day school and yeshiva until the age of 18. He began playing guitar at age 20 and has been involved in numerous bands and musical projects since. Abram began playing music for Kol Ami two years ago. Abram brings both traditional and modern influences to his Kol Ami repertoire.

According to Abram, “Kavanah,or intent, is the key ingredient to prayer. Dogmatic reciting of words is not. If the music helps us get closer to a true prayerful state, then it is a good thing. Whether it is an ancient niggun, or a modern piece, the end result needs to be an enrichment of the experience of prayer and ritual practice.”