Our Rabbis & Professional Team

Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky is​ the Rabbi of Congregation Etz Chayim.  He was the founding Rabbi of Ruaj Ami, a start-up congregation in Santiago, Chile, which he helped grow from five founding families to 130.  He received ordination, and also a Masters in Jewish Education, from the Hebrew College Rabbinical School where he was a member of the inaugural class in 2008.

Chaim’s rabbinate focuses on community building. This expresses itself in big ways when he focuses on creating a Shabbat community full of joy or when he facilitates cross-cultural understanding between Jews and Muslims (or even Jews from different backgrounds). It expresses itself more intimately when he sits with families after a loss or celebrates with them on the bimah at a baby naming.

He also enjoys exploring how different modes of music can enhance spiritual experience.  Luckily, he has landed in a congregation that prides itself on its love of song.

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Chaim completed his undergraduate studies at Vassar College, focusing on Russian Studies.  He has also lived and worked in the former Soviet Union and Israel.

Chaim met his Israel-born wife Keren Henigman in Chile where they were married, and their three children- Yaniv, Noam, and Lielle- were born. In 2015, the family moved to Palo Alto where they are enjoying life, community, and the weather on (North) America’s West Coast.

You can reach Rabbi Koritzinsky by phone at 650-813-9094 x213 or by email at rabbik@etzchayim.org.

Rabbi Ari Mark Cartun is Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Etz Chayim in Palo Alto, CA where he served as Rabbi and Scholar-in-Residence from 1996-2015. He was the Executive Director of the Hillel Foundation at Stanford University from 1975-1996, and a Visiting Scholar, Stanford Program in Jewish Studies 1996-1997. Before moving to Palo Alto, he was a rabbinical student intern at Reform Temple Sinai, Washington, DC, 1974-75. Before that he was active as a member and then rabbinical student staff member for NFTY (Reform youth group) and BBYO: locally, regionally, and as faculty and program director for their national camps.

Executive Director Emeritus Ellen Bob joined the staff of Etz Chayim in February, 2011.  A native of Minnesota, but a graduate of Los Altos High, she has spent most of her life living on the Peninsula. You may recognize her from bob and bob fine Jewish gifts, crafts and books where she chatted with customers, recommended books, gave advice about bar and bat mitzvahs, wedding and baby namings and pretty much everything else, while running the business with her mother for 27 years. She has also worked in community journalism, web-copy writing, retail consulting and summer camp development.

She holds a double degree from Brandeis University in Linguistics and Near Eastern and Judaic studies.  Ellen is happy to bring everything she has ever learned to her position here, where she enjoys helping members create the congregation and celebrations they desire. Contact Ellen for information about any of our programs, activities, membership, donation opportunities or random advice at 650-813-9094 x206 or emerita@etzchayim.org.

Director of Learning Abra Greenspan has worked in Jewish education since she was a teen, including teaching positions at congregations in California and Japan. She has also worked in informal and alternative Jewish Education at summer camps, the Hillel Foundation at Stanford University, Berkeley-based Lehrhaus Judaica and the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center.  Abra also taught English as a Foreign Language to students abroad and in the United States. She holds a BA in Religious Studies and an MA in Japanese Language and Literature from Stanford University, and an MS in Jewish Education from Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago. She completed a course of study through the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and received a Reform Jewish Educator credential from the Association of Reform Jewish Educators.

Interim Religious School Director

Rabbi Elana Zelony most recently served as the rabbi of Peninsula Sinai Congregation. Previously, she led Beth Torah in Richardson, Texas for nearly a decade, where she made history as the first female rabbi in the Conservative Movement to head a synagogue in the state. Earlier in her career, she was the Director of Congregational Learning at Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco, and also served as Assistant Rabbi at Shearith Israel in Atlanta.

Rabbi Zelony’s rabbinate is distinguished by her emphasis on deep text study, inclusion, interfaith collaboration, spirituality, and active community involvement. She received her ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2009 and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from American Jewish University. In addition, she is the author of the children’s book, Peril the Dragon Saves Chanukah.

Born and raised in Sunnyvale, California, Rabbi Zelony now makes her home with her spouse, Adiv, and their two teenage children, Ness and Magen. An avid reader of poetry, she also enjoys yoga, rock climbing, and preparing healthy meals for her family and friends.

Accountant Jennifer Jasso grew up in the Bay Area and recently returned after 18 years in Santa Maria to be near family and friends. She lives in Sunnyvale with her partner and son. They love spending time at the local beaches and finding new places to explore up and down the coast.

Jennifer received her degree in Organized Leadership from the Chapman University remote learning program. Jennifer has over 20 years’ experience working with nonprofit organizations.  In addition to working in the nonprofit medical sector for 15 years, she has experience with education.