Elissa Sachs-Kohen has served for 16 years as one of the rabbis at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. In addition to all the life cycle, teaching and preaching responsibilities which she shares, she is the Director of BHC Cares and advises BHC Justice, concentrating in recent years on racial justice, immigration, poverty, and environmental issues. Elissa annually leads Rosh Hashanah Under the Stars at Oregon Ridge Park, BHC’s Erev Rosh Hashanah service which is free and open everyone. During its 13 years of existence, the service has attracted as many as 6000 participants and has continued to grow. Elissa has recently completed the Clergy Leadership Program with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, an 18-month fellowship bringing together early Chasidic wisdom, mindfulness meditation, yoga, chant and prayer. The fellowship has renewed her rabbinate and her own spiritual life in remarkable ways, and she is grateful to have had the opportunity. Before coming to Baltimore, Elissa served for 5 years at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, CT. She was ordained in 1999 from HUC-JIR in Cincinnati. In 1992, she earned her BA in theater and drama at the University of Michigan. She grew up at Temple Beth El in Harrisonburg, VA. Elissa now lives in the Tuxedo Park neighborhood of Baltimore City with her son and daughter.