Scholar in Residence

Rabbi Matthew L. Berkowitz is the Director of Israel Programs for The Jewish Theological Seminary of America and co-founder of Kol Ha-Ot, a new Jerusalem-based venture devoted to exploring the arts and Jewish learning.  For ten years (1999-2009), Matt served as the JTS Senior Rabbinic Fellow, organizing substantive adult learning throughout Florida and beyond.  He is a member of The Wexner Heritage Program Faculty and has taught the Atlanta, Houston, and Phoenix groups.

He completed his undergraduate work in International Relations and Middle East Studies, summa cum laude, at Colgate University. While in Israel, he studied at Pardes and The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies. He was ordained from JTS in 1999 and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow alumnus.

An accomplished artist, Matt was formally trained in Jewish scribal art in Jerusalem and completed the writing of Megillat Esther, the illumination of several ketubbot, and a limited edition artist portfolio entitled Passover Landscapes: Illuminations on the Exodus which was acquired by Yale University, exhibited at Yeshiva University Museum (April, 2006) and is on permanent exhibit at The Jewish Theological Seminary. The Lovell Haggadah (jointly published in 2008 by Schechter Institute and Nirtzah Editions) is based on this work.  In 2008-2009, he studied illustration and oil painting at The Jerusalem Studio School and printmaking at The Jerusalem Print Workshop (2011).

Rabbi Berkowitz resides in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem. He is married to Rabbi Miriam Berkowitz, author of Taking the Plunge: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to the Mikveh.  They have three children, Adir, Rachel and Shira.

• Art and Jewish learning
• Interplay between Judaism and Other Cultues through the Ages
• Passover! I am the author and artist of The Lovell Haggadah so always a great topic
• Purim: Megillah Creation Workshop
• Israel