Rabbi Ariel Tovlev, MAJE
Rabbi Tovlev currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland with his spouse, Cantor Ze'evi Tovlev. He is the sole spiritual leader of Kehila Chadasha, an independent progressive chavurah which serves the Greater DC area.
A Bit About Me
As someone who grew up feeling I couldn’t fully be myself in Jewish spaces, I’m committed to creating spaces where all Jews can show up with as their authentic selves. I believe Judaism should be accessible, inclusive, and relevant. Rooted in the conviction that tradition and innovation can coexist, my work fosters spaces of belonging. Whether sharing my story as a transgender Jew, teaching about gender diversity in Jewish tradition, or leading creative prayer-writing workshops, I aim to inspire deeper connection, personal authenticity, and meaningful engagement with Jewish life.
Work Experience
July 2024 - present
July 2023 - present
June 2019 - present
Sole Rabbi / Spiritual Leader of Kehila Chadasha, an independent progressive chavurah in the DMV. Engages in children's and adult education, creates programming for holiday celebrations, provides pastoral care, and leads services/rituals.
Independent / Freelance Rabbi
Serves those who are not connected with a Jewish community. Creates unique rituals for weddings, Bar/Bat/Bet Mitzvah, and baby namings, catered to the individuals' needs. Also provides spiritual counseling, especially in preparation for marriage.
Guest Speaker / Guest Teacher / Scholar-in-Residence
Delivers a sermon which weaves personal experience with Jewish tradition and text; creates educational experiences which explore ancient Judaism's culture of inclusion; spends the weekend with a community to teach and preach and dive into deep engagement with Jewish text. To date has visited 15+ communities as a Guest Speaker, Guest Teacher, or Scholar-in-Residence. ​
Publications
CCAR Press, 2025
CCAR Journal, 2025
Literary Magazines, 2025
CCAR Press, 2023
CCAR Press, 2020
The Sacred Struggle: Jewish Responses to Trauma, Contributor
Edited by Rabbi Lindsey Danziger and Rabbi Benjamin David, The Sacred Struggle is a powerful anthology of personal stories, offering a deeply moving exploration of how Jewish wisdom can help us navigate life's most difficult moments.
Winter 2025: Opening the Doors to LGBTQIA+ Clergy: Past, Present, and Future, Editor
Along with co-editor Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, Rabbi Tovlev solicited abstracts, selected submissions for acceptance, and went through several rounds of edits to create this anthology of articles, dialogues, and poetry.
ONE ART: a journal of poetry, Contributor
Pensive: a Global Journal of Spirituality & the Arts, Contributor
Had three poems published in ONE ART and one poem published in Pensive. Was honored as one of the top ten read poets of February in ONE ART.
The First Fifty Years: a Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis, Contributor
Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah, Contributor
Contributed a chapter for each publication which speaks to my experience as a transgender Jew and rabbi.
Mishkan Ga'avah: Where Pride Dwells, Contributor
Wrote three pieces of original liturgy for this compilation of LGBTQ+ Jewish prayers and prose. After submitting a transgender blessing to the anthology, was contacted by the editor Rabbi Denise Eger and commissioned to write two more pieces specifically for the collection.
Education
July 2017 - May 2023
September 2011 - May 2013
September 2007 - May 2011
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
Master's of Hebrew Letters - 2020
Master's of Jewish Education - 2021
Rabbinical Ordination - 2023
Chapman University
Master's of Fine Arts, Creative Writing - Concentration in Poetry
University of British Columbia
Bachelor's of Fine Arts, Creative Writing
Bachelor's of Arts, Psychology
Additional Experience
September 2023 - July 2024
December 2023
September 2022 - May 2023
Tri-Faith Initiative Emerging Clergy Cohort Fellowship
​One of 14 clergy members from various religious traditions chosen to advance interfaith relationships and understanding. Through intentional dialogue, fellows grew their skills in creating connections across religious and cultural communities
URJ 150th Shabbat Service Leader
Invited to lead services at the URJ's 150th Gathering. Along with Cantor Natalie Young, led innovative prayer that integrated poetry and music to translate tradition into spiritual expression
CCAR Ethics T'shuvah Task Force
One of ten rabbis chosen to participate in a task force addressing ethical concerns within the Reform Movement. Directly heard from those affected in listening campaigns, crafted a public letter of apology on behalf of the CCAR, and created a ritual for CCAR members to use which acknowledged wrongdoing and asked for atonement.
Let's Get
Social
