Leo Linder, Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern

Leo Linder (they/them) is a third-year KolBo (rabbinical and cantorial) student at the Academy for Jewish Religion.  Before embarking on the path towards ordination, they spent 15 years teaching Latin and Ancient Greek and directing middle school theater.  They also volunteer as a program leader at their local queer community center.  In the Jewish world, Leo has served as a cantorial intern and the director of a congregational Hebrew school. They love leading services and leyning (chanting Torah and other scrolls).

Leo is passionate about adapting traditional liturgy for people and experiences that have not historically been central to the Jewish narrative.  When they’re not in shul, they enjoy reading, crocheting, playing tabletop RPGs, and kvelling about their niblings. They live in Norwalk CT with their spouse Ari and two unbelievably old cats.