Learn More About Our Clergy!
Click on a clergy member to jump down to their bio and video.
Rabbi Daniel A. Weiner
Senior Rabbi Daniel Weiner believes passionately in building Judaism for the 21st century and in healing the world through social justice. Temple De Hirsch Sinai has grown to more than 5,000 members and 1,600 families across two campuses in Seattle and Bellevue since he took charge in 2001.
He has served congregations in Baltimore, Maryland, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His innovations in worship include producing “rabcasts” on video, streaming services on the internet, and leading a rock band in popular Rock Shabbat services. He tweets @rocknrabbidanny.
Weiner and his team won the Union of Reform Judaism’s Fain Award for their campaign on gun responsibility. Rabbi Weiner’s efforts with other clergy contributed to the founding of the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, which drafted and helped pass a number of key initiatives, placing Washington State at the forefront of efforts to reduce gun violence.
He is part of the first cohort of Rukin Fellows for 18 Doors (formerly InterfaithFamily.com), an organization dedicated to embracing and supporting couples and families from multi-heritage backgrounds.
He has served on numerous boards, including the Board of Governors of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion; as current President of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis; as a board member of AI and Faith; on various committees of the Central Conference of American Rabbis; and he has chaired local rabbinic boards and served on multiple national boards of Jewish organizations.
Rabbi Weiner cherishes teaching as one of his most critical rabbinic roles. He has taught at various colleges and universities, with a special emphasis on his role at Seattle University as instructor, member of various advisory committees, and a catalyzer in the creation of the Center for Ecumenical and Interfaith Engagement.
His rabbinate places a special emphasis on interfaith and ecumenical efforts, working closely with the Episcopal and Catholic Dioceses and creating bonds of partnership and faith with local African American churches.
His columns have appeared in The Seattle Times, The Forward, and Haaretz. Weiner wrote Good God: Faith for the Rest of Us about the dangerous polarization between fanatical faith and soulless secularism.
Weiner is married to Cindy Tepper Weiner of Baltimore. They are the proud parents of Julia and Benjamin. He frequently enjoys the glorious climes of the Pacific Northwest while walking their black lab, Sadie.
Rabbi Kate Speizer
Rabbi Kate Speizer coordinates Adult Engagement for Temple. The focus of Speizer’s rabbinate is to help individuals find meaningful ways to live and learn Jewishly through community and connection.
As an undergraduate at the University of Arizona, Rabbi Speizer participated in Jewish Life in her spare time, while devoting her academic pursuits to business administration and marketing. After a few years in the technology sector, Israel beckoned and Rabbi Speizer responded by volunteering as a Project Otzma fellow. She assisted with hydrotherapy sessions, taught English, supported teens, and worked at Kibbutz Lotan. Her year in Israel led to an opportunity back in the US to work full-time for the Jewish community as Program Director at the University of Pennsylvania Hillel.
Passionate to advance her Jewish knowledge, Rabbi Speizer went on to attend the Reform Movement’s seminary, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, first in Jerusalem and then in Los Angeles. Upon ordination, she served as the Campus Rabbi at Cornell University before joining Temple De Hirsch Sinai in 2013.
Rabbi Speizer’s community and volunteer leadership beyond her work at Temple include the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, WA State Coalition of Rabbis, the Women’s Rabbinic Network, PCC Community Markets, and Seattle Public Schools.
Born and raised in Northern California, she is at home now in the Pacific Northwest. She loves to explore nature’s bounty, including cooking local, sustainable food with her husband, Rafi, and their two children.
Rabbi Brett Weisman
Rabbi Brett Weisman joined our rabbinic staff in 2022 after receiving his ordination from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC). A lifelong student of Jewish texts, he brings a deep passion for Jewish learning and a strong commitment to education in all aspects of his work.
Rabbi Weisman grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended The Ohio State University, where he received a B.A. in Comparative Religions in 2011. He spent six years at Temple Beth Shalom in Columbus, where he developed a diverse skill set in marketing, program and event management, and education.
Rabbi Weisman’s education continued at HUC, where he earned an M.A. in Hebrew in 2019 and an M.A. in Jewish Education in 2020. While living in LA, he held internships at URJ Camp Newman, HUC’s Admissions Office, and Good Samaritan Hospital. He also worked at several LA-area synagogues, including Stephen Wise Temple in Bel Air, where he served as Prayer Hebrew and Junior Torah Study Director.
Rabbi Weisman is thrilled to begin a new chapter of life in the Pacific Northwest, along with his wife Molly and their son Daniel. He looks forward to meeting you and walking with you on your Jewish journey.
Rabbi Jeff Silverstein
Rabbi Jeff Silverstein is the newest addition to our rabbinic staff, having received his ordination at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC) in 2025.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rabbi Silverstein grew up deeply entrenched in the local Jewish community as an active member of Rockdale Temple and a yearly camper and then staff member at URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute.
After graduating from high school, Rabbi Silverstein spent a year on Shnat Netzer, a gap year closely associated with the International Movement for Progressive Judaism and the global Reform Zionist youth movement Netzer Olami. After returning home, Rabbi Silverstein spent his freshman year at the University of Cincinnati before transferring to the University of Colorado – Boulder where he achieved his bachelor’s degree in film with an emphasis on criticism and theory.
Rabbi Silverstein has enjoyed the rigorous academic challenge and spiritual growth he has experienced at HUC. He especially cherishes engaging with the Hebrew language and rabbinic literature, and he has received academic prizes in both subject fields, as well as in academic writing.
Outside of his professional life, Rabbi Silverstein spends most of his time with his wife Meg and their dog, Mani (Manischewitz for long). He enjoys playing guitar, playing Nintendo with his friends and family, searching for his new favorite taco or Korean barbecue spot, and exploring the world. He even studies text for fun!