Jonathan Siger, born in Boston and raised in New
York, graduated with honors from Brandeis University where he was awarded the
Andrew Grossbardt Memorial Prize in Poetry.
He then spent several years writing, directing and
performing. During this period he worked for the producers and studied at The
Second City in Chicago.
He received his Masters Degree and later his
Rabbinical Ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of
Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. His clinical pastoral education focused on
oncology and stem-cell transplant patients.
Siger’s rabbinical thesis is an annotated
translation and commentary on part of a 13th century Hebrew imitation of
Dante’s Inferno written by Immanuello Romano.
Prior to his appointment as Rabbi for Congregation
Jewish Community North, Rabbi Siger served as the Executive Director of Central
Florida Hillel in Orlando and as the Campus Rabbi for Hillel at the University
Of Florida in Gainesville, where he developed Torah on Tap, a program that
gained national attention for its innovative approach to engagement and
education.
He is a frequent lecturer, panelist, and media
spokesperson, particularly on interfaith issues and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
He has conducted workshops on improvisational bibliodrama (comedy Bible study)
at national conventions and local synagogues. He enjoys swimming, martial arts,
music and movies.
Rabbi Siger serves as national chaplain of Sigma
Alpha Mu Fraternity and has served as a civilian and uniformed chaplain with
military and law-enforcement agencies.
He is married to Jennifer, a writer, artist, and
Jewish educator. The couple have two pre-school children, Azriel and
Gavriella.
To send him an EMail, click here.
Clergy and Staff 
Prior to arriving at CJCN, Rabbi Sharff served the Liberal Synagogue of Baton Rouge, LA. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Ministry at the Graduate Theological Foundation of Notre Dame University in 1990. During his tenure, he served as president of the Southwest Association of Reform Rabbis, president of the Houston Rabbinical Association, and president of the Northwest Assistance Ministries. Since his retirement, he and his wife Linda have remained in the congregation and in the community as a constant and inspiring presence. 