HONOREE
Rabbi Simeon Cohen
Rabbi Simeon Cohen joined Temple Beth Shalom in July 2017, after receiving rabbinic ordination and an MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Prior to rabbinical school, Rabbi Cohen completed his undergraduate work in the Joint Program between Columbia University and JTS, where he earned a BA in Philosophy from Columbia and a BA in Jewish Thought from JTS.
Rabbi Cohen engages members of our congregation by creating dynamic programs that bring Jewish learning and tradition to life in accessible and meaningful ways. His warmth, creativity, and approachability make him a beloved presence among TBS families with young children, strengthening their connection to the synagogue and to Jewish life.
Rabbi Cohen has also cultivated a deep and lasting connection with the broader congregation. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate pastoral care, and commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and warmth, he enhances the spirit of the Temple Beth Shalom community. Under his leadership, the sanctuary has become not just a place of prayer but a true spiritual home.
Rabbi Cohen is particularly proud of the trips he has led since coming to TBS. Rabbi Cohen and Ariel have led successful Jewish heritage trips to Morocco and Sicily and last March, he led a mission of TBS members to Israel in the wake of October 7th. He is also proud to have been one of the first rabbis on the ground in Israel after October 7th, arriving to volunteer and bear witness as part of a cohort of rabbis from our Greater Metrowest Federation in late October 2023, just three weeks after the attack.
Beyond the synagogue, Rabbi Cohen is an active leader in the greater Livingston community. He currently serves as the president of the Interfaith Clergy Association in Livingston, which has allowed him to emerge as a broader communal leader. He has spoken passionately at many communal events, particularly since October 7th, on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people.
On a national level, Rabbi Cohen serves on Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz’s Rabbinic Cabinet, helping to shape the future of the Conservative movement. His leadership has been widely recognized; in 2023, he was honored as one of Representative Mikie Sherrill’s Heroes of the Year, and in 2024, he received recognition from the Essex County Board of Commissioners for “embodying the spirit and pride of the Essex County Jewish community.”
Yet Rabbi Cohen’s greatest joy comes from his family. He is the proud husband of Dr. Ariel Fein and father to two beautiful daughters, Amalya and Sivan, both of whom attend the TBS preschool. When he is not working on behalf of TBS and the Jewish people, Rabbi Cohen can be found very happily spending time with Ariel, Amalya, Sivan and their dog, Ophelia.