Rabbi Jennifer Gorman
Rav Jen come to Beth Torah with a diverse background working in civilian and military communities in Canada and the United States. She grew up in the Conservative Jewish community, beginning with Hebrew school, through Kadima and USY as a child, and later having the honour to work and volunteer with USY, USCJ, Camp Ramah, Women’s League and Men’s Clubs, Schechter day schools, MERCAZ Canada, MERCAZ & Masorti Olami, and the Rabbinical Assembly. Receiving her BA in sociology at Brandeis University, with a focus on the Jewish community, Rav Jen continued her education at the University of Judaism and Seminary for Jewish Studies (now Schechter Rabbinical Seminary), earning her MA and rabbinic ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
She is a contributor to The Women’s Haftarah Commentary, and was featured in a digital publication about prayer produced by the Jewish Student Union of the United States Naval Academy. Rav Jen has additional pastoral education from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The Postgraduate Centre for Mental Health with Hebrew Union College. She also holds a certificate from the Department of the US Army in the Spirituality of Trauma.
Prior to joining Beth Torah, Rav Jen served as the National Director of Outreach & Programming for CJPAC and as Interim Rabbi to Beth Tzedec Congregation while also serving as the Executive Director of MERCAZ-Canada and the Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism. Rav Jen continues her volunteer activities with the Toronto Board of Rabbis and Rabbinical Assembly.
She is married to Rabbi Sean Gorman and mother to Jesse, Gavriel, and Keren.
Rabbi Jennifer Gorman is proud to be part of, and excited to support and build, the Beth Torah community, sharing her love of and excitement about Jewish life.
Cantor Steve Zeidenberg
Cantor Steve Zeidenberg is honored to serve as Cantor at Beth Torah. He brings a rich and diverse background to his work, having started his cantorial career at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) in New York City, the world’s largest synagogue serving the LGBTQ+ community. From there, he went on to serve at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue in Burlington, Vermont, a Conservative-affiliated congregation, where he enriched the spiritual lives of his community.
Born and raised in Toronto, Cantor Steve is a proud graduate of the Leo Baeck Day School and Tanenbaum CHAT. He holds a Specialized Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from York University, which provides the foundation that informs his compassionate, people-centered approach to teaching and spiritual leadership.
Cantor Steve earned his Master of Sacred Music degree and was ordained as a Hazzan at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York in May 2017. His cantorial training has shaped his deep commitment to Jewish music and prayer. He is particularly passionate about the education and training of B’nai Mitzvah and customizes his pedagogical methods to suit the unique needs of each student, whether they are children or adults.
A lifelong musician, Cantor Steve has played piano since the age of four, and in recent years, he has added guitar to his repertoire. He joyfully incorporates both instruments into his work, bringing music to Tot Shabbats, family services, and Kabbalat Shabbat celebrations. He has also created special cabarets and coffeehouse-style events, fostering community connection through the arts.
One of Cantor Steve’s greatest passions is the power of Jewish music, especially niggunim—Jewish wordless melodies. Whether during services or in participatory song circles, he believes in the profound impact these melodies have on deepening the spiritual experience of the community. In his work, Cantor Steve strives to create Jewish spaces that promote Shleimut—wellness and wholeness—where all feel welcomed, uplifted, and spiritually nourished.
Outside of his cantorial duties, Steve is an avid tennis player and swimmer, and he enjoys indulging his love of word games (especially Scrabble). Above all, he is a proud son, brother, and uncle, and treasures the love and support of his family.
Cantor Steve is excited to be part of the Beth Torah community and looks forward to sharing in the joys and challenges of Jewish life with you.
Nathaniel Callen – Ba’al Korei
After completing his degrees in NYC, a BA from Yeshiva University and an MA from Columbia University, Nathaniel moved to Toronto in 2008. In 2009, Nathaniel began to read Torah on an occasional basis for the First Narayever Congregation in Downtown Toronto and in 2010 started preparing B’nai Mitzvah for their ceremonies.
In 2017, Nathaniel became the regular Torah read at Beth Radom Congregation in Toronto.
We are pleased to have Nathaniel join our clergy team as our full-time Torah Reader.