Clergy
Rabbi Miriam Potok
Rabbi Miriam Potok is proud and honored to begin a new chapter as Adat Shalom’s Senior Rabbi after years of service to the community as Torah Reader, Religious School Teacher, Rabbinic Intern, and Scholar-in-Residence. Born in Northern California, Rabbi Potok came to Los Angeles to pursue Jewish learning, and studied Hebrew and rabbinics at American Jewish University and the Academy for Jewish Religion, California before receiving ordination from the Ziegler School for Rabbinic Studies.
Rabbi Potok’s rabbinical career reflects her commitment to communal service, teaching, and Jewish study. She brings her wealth of compassion and empathy, as well as her love and dedication to the Jewish people, as she leads Adat Shalom’s next chapter as spiritual leader.
Rabbi Potok was raised and educated on the West Coast and East Coast and has lived in New York, San Francisco, Kalamazoo, and Jerusalem. Her Jewish journey has been eclectic, unexpected, and full of good stories. She now lives in West LA with her husband Akiva Potok, where she spends her free time studying Talmud and propagating houseplants. She truly feels she has come home to Adat Shalom.
Rabbi Karen Isenberg is joining the Adat Shalom Community as our Religious School Director. She has worked in various areas of Jewish Education for over 30 years, serving Jewish communities across Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Her roles have included Religious School Education Director, teacher of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, B’nei Mitzvah instructor and tutor, and Judaic librarian. In addition to this, she has served as a congregational rabbi and a hospital chaplain.
Rabbi Isenberg is passionate about Jewish education both as an educator and as a life-long learner herself. Having received ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University, she has also earned two Master’s degrees (one in Rabbinic Studies and one in Movement Therapy), a certificate in Jewish Education from AJU, and a California multiple-subject teaching credential.
Rabbi Isenberg has two grown daughters and is "Bobbeh" to two wonderful grandchildren. She lives in Long Beach with her adorable miniature greyhound.
Dale Schatz
Dale Schatz brings music and meaning as our Shaliach Tzibor, congregational prayer leader. Filling our cantorial needs on Friday Night, Shabbat morning, holidays and High Holidays, he offers inspiring instrumental accompaniment and humor. He brings energy and love of Judaism to the main sanctuary and the children’s services as well.
Dale has shared his musical talents to enhance prayer at a variety of Jewish communities in Los Angeles and Orange County, including as artist-in-residence at Congregation Bnai Israeli in Tustin; Temple Bat Yahm, Newport Beach; Kehillat Horim at Heritage Pointe in Mission Viejo; Temple Beth Emet, Anaheim; the Orange County Community Scholars Program; and with the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County. Dale’s Klezmer and Pop band has performed at more Jewish weddings within the Conservative Jewish community than any other ensemble in Southern California.
To hear Dale Schatz, please subscribe to the Adat Shalom Youtube Channel.
