Clergy

Rabbi Jay Perlman
Senior Rabbi
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Rabbi Perlman is active in both the Needham and the Greater Boston Jewish community. He is an active member of the Needham Clergy Association, including having recently served as president. He currently serves on the New England Regional Board of the Anti-Defamation League. Rabbi Perlman has served as a rabbinic mentor for both the Hebrew College Rabbinic Program and the rabbinical school at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. 

Rabbi Perlman is originally from the Boston area. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Brandeis University, where he received his B.A. in both History and Near East and Judaic Studies. Rabbi Perlman has participated in numerous study opportunities in Israel, including programs at the Hartman Institute, the Conservative Yeshiva, the Pardes Institute, Hebrew University, and through the World Zionist Organization. 

Rabbi Perlman has a passion for teaching, learning, building bridges, and sharing the beauty of our Jewish tradition. 

Rabbi Todd Markley
Senior Rabbi

Rabbi Markley completed his studies at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, receiving a Master of Arts in Jewish Education in addition to his rabbinical ordination. A native of Connecticut, Rabbi Markley was an active youth leader in the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) before attending Tufts University where he studied Psychology and Judaic Studies. He has outstanding teaching skills and has worked with students of all ages. He also has extensive experience in Jewish youth work and Jewish camping, regularly continuing to serve on the faculties of the Union for Reform Judaism's Crane Lake and Eisner Camps. 
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While he serves as rabbi to all segments of our congregation, he has played key roles in the transformation of our youth programs, helping to make their learning more experiential by including retreats at camp and travel opportunities, in addition to our many  options for children and teens to engage in Jewish life. Rabbi Markley is engaged in a number of efforts to deepen and enrich the connections among our synagogue members, fostering stronger and more meaningful relationships within our temple community.  

Rabbi Elyse Pincus Abrahams
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Rabbi Elyse Pincus Abrahams was ordained at Hebrew College, and received both Rabbinic Ordination and a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education. During her time as a student, she served as Rabbinic Intern in both congregational and residential care settings, established and led a vibrant Women’s Study group, and completed a rigorous Clinical Pastoral Education program. Prior to beginning rabbinical school, she organized and led multiple Hillel Birthright Trips to Israel and served as a Jewish early childhood educator.​
Rabbi Elyse is originally from Tucson, Arizona, and now lives in Natick with her husband, their son, and their dog Angel. In her free time she enjoys exploring local coffee shops, baking cookies, and spending time with her family.

Cantor DJ Fortine 

Cantor Daniel “DJ” Fortine has served Temple Beth Shalom since 2016 as a cantorial intern and soloist, and has served as our congregation’s full-time Cantor since 2022.
Cantor DJ earned his cantorial ordination and a Master’s degree in Jewish Studies from Hebrew College in May of 2022. During his cantorial school journey, Cantor DJ sang as a featured soloist with Boston’s foremost Jewish vocal ensembles, including the Zamir Chorale of Boston, Koleinu, and Hebrew College’s Kol Arev chamber choir.
Prior to his time at TBS and Hebrew College, Cantor DJ earned his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School, where he performed principal roles in the Hartt Opera Theater’s main stage productions and sang in numerous vocal ensembles including the Hartt Chorale and L’Shir – the university’s premiere coed a cappella group.
Cantor DJ’s love for Jewish music was first cultivated at Temple Israel of New Rochelle, New York, where he spent his childhood years, and later at the URJ’s Eisner Camp, where he spent his summers song-leading and musicking in other various capacities from 2003-2017. He previously served as cantorial soloist at Congregation Beth Israel of West Hartford, Connecticut and Temple Beth Hillel of South Windsor, Connecticut.
Cantor DJ works along with Rabbi Jay and Rabbi Todd in creating moving and spirited worship services throughout the year. Cantor DJ creates new pathways for adult singing and builds upon the already strong musical culture at TBS. He creates relationships with our B. Mitzvah students and their families, and serves as a key member of our Mayim/Etzim Learning Team as he brings music to our community’s children and teens.