Rabbi Jan Salzman

In 2016, Rabbi Jan Salzman left her position as Chazzan at Ohavi Zedek (a Conservative Synagogue in Burlington, VT) and founded Ruach haMaqom, a Jewish Renewal congregation. She was ordained as Rabbi in 2010 by ALEPH and was a student of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the founder of Jewish Renewal. Rabbi Jan nurtured a robust community through regular services, holiday celebrations, lifecycle events, Torah study, and community-building with other Jewish congregations. She continues to offer life-cycle ceremonies. Now, emerata, Rabbi Jan lives in Vermont and is enjoying her role as grandma, gardener, writer, and elder.

Dancing My Way Back Into Judaism

July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 by Rabbi Jan Salzman

It was a spiritual experience, to dance with abandon, no choreography except what came from each heart, each body, unique and expressive, improvisational at its core.