40 Under 40: Jordan Ottenstein
Jordan Ottenstein, 36, is the senior rabbi of Congregation Dor Tamid
Rabbi Jordan Ottenstein is the senior rabbi of Congregation Dor Tamid. He has been instrumental in bringing young family programming and services to the congregation, helping to shape the education landscape of the community for all ages, creating an Empty Nesters social group, and working to connect the congregation to the broader Jewish and interfaith communities.
Ottenstein, who is a founding member of the Johns Creek Interfaith Alliance; has worked to link CDT to The Cohen Home, where he leads monthly Shabbat worship; In the City Camp, which is opening a new location at Dor Tamid this summer; and churches and a mosque in Johns Creek.
“I think it’s important that the Jewish community grow relationships not only with our own members, but also with our neighbors in the broader community in order to effectively be stewards of our traditions and participate in tikkun olam.”
He previously served in various roles for congregations in Fort Worth and St. Louis and, as a student, served congregations and hospitals in several states, as well as correctional facilities in Texarkana and Southern Ohio.
“I think throughout all my experiences, every interaction and every relationship that’s built has the potential for holiness,” Ottenstein said.
Additionally, he was a member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and the board of the Jewish Education Agency in Fort Worth. He has been granted the title of Reform Jewish Educator by the Reform movement.
Ottenstein earned his Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters in 2013 and was ordained a rabbi in 2014 by the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He served in many leadership roles among the student body on campus and was selected to attend the 2013 Emerging Religious Leaders Institute of the Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies.
Ottenstein is married to Marni Phon, a certified pediatric nurse and RN. They are the proud parents of Noah and Kaden, as well as their goldendoodle, Keshet.
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