Rabbi Shohama Wiener [2] continues as a co-editor of several Reclaiming Judaism Press books, including The Wisdom of Reb Zalman, publication anticipated in 2018. She long served as our Rosh Hashpa'ah and now does so for ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. She is also founding Director of HASHPA'AH, ALEPH's training for Jewish clergy to receive ordination as Spiritual Director and Mashpia (Jewish Spiritual Guide) and serves as Rabbi of the inclusive and innovative Temple Beth-El of City Island, NY.
Rabbi Shohama Harris Wiener was the first woman in history to head a Jewish seminary, and the first to introduce meditation and spirituality into rabbinical and cantorial training. From 1994-2001 she served as President and Spiritual Director of The Academy for Jewish Religion, New York, the first pluralistic seminary ordaining rabbis and cantors. Prior to her appointment as President, she headed AJR in the role of Executive Dean. Currently she holds the title of President Emerita. In 2010 she was selected by the Jewish Daily Forward as one of the Top 50 Female Rabbis.
Rabbi Wiener is a graduate of Wellesley College and Harvard University Graduate School of Education, a rabbinical ordinee of The Academy for Jewish Religion and recipient of the Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary. In addition, she received ordination from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi as mashpi'ah ruchanit, Jewish spiritual director and guide.
Because of her pioneering work in the field of Jewish spiritual development, she was chosen to be the honoree of the anthology Seeking and Soaring: Jewish Approaches to Spiritual Direction (ed. Goldie Milgram, Reclaiming Judaism Press 2009) and joined Rabbi Milgram as co-editor of the second expanded edition in honor of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi: Seeking and Soaring: Jewish Approaches to Spiritual Guidance and Development. She is editor of The Fifty-Eighth Century-- A Jewish Renewal Sourcebook (Jason Aronson, 1996), co-editor of Worlds of Jewish Prayer (Jason Aronson, 1993), and contributor to numerous journals and books, including Jewish Spiritual Direction: An Innovative Guide from Traditional & Contemporary Sources and Meditation from the Heart of Judaism (ed. Avram Davis, Jewish Lights, 1997).
Rabbi Wiener is the developer of SHOHAM: Spiritual Healing of Heart and Mind, a unique psychospiritual process based on Biblical texts and mystical Jewish practices. She is also known for her uplifting spiritual musical compositions and inspirational guitar playing.
Shohama Wiener is married to Alan Dattner, M.D., a physician specializing in Nutritional Medicine and Dermatology, who often assists her in leading services and workshops on spirituality and healing. In their blended family, they delight in four adult children and six grandchildren.