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Parkland’s Congregation Kol Tikvah Welcomes Rabbi Cookie Lea Olshein as Interim Rabbi 4

Rabbi Cookie Lea Olshein, Interim Rabbi {Congregation Kol Tikvah}

Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland has welcomed Rabbi Cookie Lea Olshein as its interim rabbi as the Reform Jewish congregation begins a year of transition and prepares to select its next long-term spiritual leader.

Olshein recently joined the congregation, which serves more than 300 Jewish families in Northwest Broward County. She brings nearly two decades of rabbinic leadership and experience working with Reform congregations during periods of transition.

During her year at Kol Tikvah, Olshein will work with congregation leaders and members on community engagement, worship and planning for the future. She will work alongside Cantor Debbie Hafetz, whose longtime role at the congregation will provide continuity during the transition.

“I believe every new beginning carries the possibility of something extraordinary,” Olshein said. “The High Holy Days invite us to look inward, celebrate the blessings we share, and imagine the possibilities ahead.”

Olshein will lead Kol Tikvah’s 2026 High Holy Days services, including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah services are scheduled for Sept. 11-13, while Yom Kippur services will be held Sept. 20-21.

“Throughout the coming year, I look forward to exploring new ideas together, honoring the traditions that define Kol Tikvah while creating opportunities to learn, grow, and discover what will help this community flourish for generations to come,” Olshein said. “My hope is that this journey will be filled with inspiration, celebration, and transformation.”

Olshein most recently served as resident rabbinic scholar at Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson, Nevada, where she led worship services, taught adult education and Torah study, and worked on social action and community engagement initiatives.

She previously served as senior rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Tempe, Arizona, and spent eight years as rabbi of Temple Israel of West Palm Beach. There, she became the first woman to lead an established congregation in Palm Beach County and later became the first female president of the Palm Beach County Board of Rabbis.

Olshein currently serves as a vice president and member of the Executive Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. She has also served on the National Campaign Leadership Team for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and participated in the Rukin Family 18Doors Rabbinic Fellowship, which supports interfaith and intercultural couples and families exploring Jewish life.

Kol Tikvah President Alan Rosen said the congregation chose an interim rabbi following Rabbi Boxman’s 17 years of leadership to give members time to consider the congregation’s future.

“Congregation Kol Tikvah has always been a community built on relationships, belonging, and a shared commitment to Jewish values,” Rosen said. “Following Rabbi Boxman’s remarkable 17 years of leadership, our Board thoughtfully chose the interim rabbi model because it gives our congregation the opportunity to reflect, explore new ideas, and thoughtfully prepare for the future. Rabbi Olshein’s warmth, experience, and expertise make her the ideal leader for this exciting chapter.”

Before entering the rabbinate, Olshein worked as a civil litigation attorney in Las Vegas for more than a decade. She received her rabbinic ordination and Master of Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She also earned a law degree from California Western School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in international business from George Washington University.

Her honors include the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s inaugural Tikkun Olam/Community Service Award and the Judy Waltzer Award for service to Women’s Philanthropy. She has also served as an Olympic chaplain and taught internationally as a scholar-in-residence.

Those interested in learning more about Congregation Kol Tikvah, membership, worship services, its Early Childhood Center, Mensch University Religious School or other programs can contact Executive Director Justin Pollack at justin@koltikvah.net or 954-346-7878.

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Sharon Aron Baron

Sharon Aron Baron is a Parkland resident and editor of Talk Media. She has been covering Parkland news since 2012. Parkland Talk was created to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Parkland.