Who We Are
About Rabbi Tanenbaum

Irwin A. Tanenbaum, D.D. was Rabbi of Temple Beth Am starting in 2003 and of the merged Congregation Shir Shalom since 2012. He provided our Congregation with rabbinical service and leadership in religious ceremonies, spiritual and pastoral support and counseling, religious and Jewish education for both children and adults, officiates at life cycle events, assists with the Temple´s Youth Group and more. Rabbi Tanenbaum retired from service at Congregation Shir Shalom in June 2013.

Additionally, Rabbi Tanenbaum was active in the Network of Religious Communities, Rabbinical Association of Western New York, Williamsville Clergy Association and teaches at Hebrew High.

Rabbi Tanenbaum came to us from Temple Sholom in the Catskills. Prior to this he served for eight years as Rabbi at Temple Israel, Ottawa, Canada. He additionally served as a Rabbi in Jackson, Michigan.

Rabbi Tanenbaum taught every grade of Religious School from pre-kindergarten to post-Confirmation. He introduced Family Education Programming with emphasis on the B´nei Mitzvah year. Additionally, Rabbi Tanenbaum lead Tot Shabbat Services, pre-school activities and camped with Youth Groups. He built a strong personal relationship with students.

Rabbi Tanenbaum also taught continuing education courses for the Congregation and community including Intro to Judaism and Hebrew.

Rabbi Tanenbaum is a 1969 graduate of Oberlin College with a Bachelors of Arts with a major in Music and Religion. In 1975, He was ordained (S´micha) with a Masters and Bachelors of Hebrew Letters from the Cincinnati Campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. In 2000, he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity, from the Hebrew Union College, New York City.

Rabbi Tanenbaum is married to Marta Braiterman, M.L.A., and they are the parents of three children. He is currently rabbi emeritus and living in New York City.