About -> Clergy and Staff - Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

Our Rabbis

Rabbi Stephanie Alexander

Rabbi Stephanie Alexander received her undergraduate degree from Tulane University, and ordination, as well as Masters degrees in Hebrew Literature and Religious Education, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, studying on its Jerusalem, Cincinnati and New York campuses.

Throughout her training and practice as a rabbi and educator – including at Temple Beth El in Dubuque, IA; Temple Isaiah in Lexington, MA; and in the Youth Department of the Union for Reform Judaism – Rabbi Alexander has sought out institutions that value creativity, inclusivity, and spirituality – all of which brought her to Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim in the summer of 2010.

Since that time, in partnership with KKBE’s dedicated lay leadership and staff, the congregation has expanded its adult education offerings, made multiple trips to Israel and other worldwide destinations, welcomed dynamic scholars and artists in residence, and deepened its involvement in social justice. Rabbi Alexander and KKBE were founding members of CAJM, the Charleston Area Justice Ministry, a faith-based social justice organization of 29 diverse congregations. She has served on its board since its inception, most recently as co-President. In 2016, Rabbi Alexander was awarded the John H. Gillison Award for Racial Healing by the South Carolina Christian Action Council, the first female and the first Jewish recipient of the award.

But more important than anything, Rabbi Alexander is wife to Rabbi Aaron Sherman, who serves as a spiritual leader to Temple Beth El in Florence, SC; and mother to Eli, whose accomplishments will most assuredly far surpass hers someday.

Rabbi Stephanie Alexander
rabbia@kkbe.org

Rabbi Greg Kanter, DD

Rabbi Greg Kanter was ordained from the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion upon completion of his studies in Jerusalem and Cincinnati, Ohio in 1993. As a rabbinical student, Rabbi Kanter worked for the HUC-JIR Dean of Admissions and friend to KKBE, Rabbi Gary Zola, as the Director of Youth Programs and Special Assistant to the Dean of Admissions. He also worked as a rabbinic intern for congregations in Lafayette, LA, Jackson, TN and Natchez, MS. His Rabbinic thesis was entitled “From Jerusalem a Remnant Shall Go Out: The Siege of Jerusalem in Biblical Times and the Twentieth Century.” He still has a fondness for biblical and American Jewish history.

Before settling in Charleston, Rabbi Kanter moved with his family from S. Florida where he served at Temple Sinai in Delray Beach. Rabbi Kanter was a member of the Palm Beach County Board of Rabbis, worked with Israel Bonds and the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation where he helped to register new potential life-saving donors and was also a donor match.

Rabbi Kanter grew up active in NFTY and Reform Judaism’s summer camp movement and still loves advising and supporting today’s Jewish youth. Rabbi Kanter joins us with his husband Mike and their daughters, Emily and Alayna.

Rabbi Greg Kanter
rabbikanter@kkbe.org

Anthony D. Holz, DD

Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Anthony David Holz assumed the spiritual leadership of KKBE in August,1992 and transitioned to Rabbi Emeritus in August of 2010. Rabbi Holz was born and educated in Cape Town, South Africa, where he received a B.A. degree with a major in music. He completed his rabbinic studies at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio and was ordained in 1970. He was awarded his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1995.

Before coming to KKBE, Rabbi Holz held positions with the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation at Ohio's Miami University, the Pretoria Progressive Jewish Congregation in South Africa, Congregation Beth Tikvah near Columbus, Ohio and Temple Israel in Duluth, Minnesota. Rabbi Holz is active in numerous Jewish and community organizations. He has special expertise in religious education, youth work, creative liturgy and music. Rabbi Holz and his wife, Judy, have three adult daughters and four grandchildren, and they reside in Los Angeles.

Anthony D. Holz, Rabbi Emeritus
holzanthony@gmail.com