Meet the Rabbi

Rabbi Susan Tendler believes that her primary role in life is to open doors—to create and nurture opportunities to strengthen individuals, communities, the Jewish people and even the world at large. With a deep appreciation for history, she strives to enter every conversation and situation with an open mind particularly for what could be. Susie fervently believes that the richness of the Jewish tradition offers timeless paths for leading a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Before coming to Beth Tikvah, Rabbi Tendler served as the rabbi of B’nai Zion Congregation in Chattanooga, TN, the associate rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Norfolk, VA and as the assistant rabbi in Greensboro, NC where her primary focus was on education and programming. As well, she spent many happy, summer days as faculty at Camp Ramah Darom.

Rabbi Tendler received her bachelor’s degree in religious studies with concentrations in Islam and Judaism from the University of Virginia. At the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Susie received her rabbinical ordination and her Master of Education in Informal Jewish Education. Later, she completed the two-year Rabbinic track of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. An ardent Zionist, she is proud to be the first student of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel to have taught for the program.

Currently Rabbi Tendler serves on the Rabbinical Assembly’s Ethics Committee and previously co-chaired the Resolutions Committee. While in Chattanooga, she co-chaired the Faith and Culture Committee of the Mayor’s Council Against Hate and also served on the United Synagogue Board.

Having met her husband, Ross Sadoff at Beth Tikvah (the third of three countries they met in), over twenty years ago, they—along with their daughters Hannah Sofia and Daniella (Ella) are thrilled to have come full circle and call Richmond home.