Kehillah Academy Staff

Rabbi Danielle Upbin | Director of Kehillah Academy 
and Director of Education and Culture and Congregation Beth Shalom

Rabbi Danielle Upbin has been a Jewish educator for over 30 years, inspiring students of all ages. She is thrilled to be the inaugural director of the Kehillah Academy at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater, FL, a congregation she has called home since 2002. "Rabbi Dani", as the kids call her, approaches Jewish education with a sense of fun, creativity, depth, and spirituality. She is known for her unique style that blends personal development with ancient wisdom. She is a sought after scholar-in-residence around the country, known for her spirited teaching and musicality. You can also find her on myjewishlearning.com, where she has been a contributor and Community Educator since 2019. Originally from New York City, Upbin was ordained from The Jewish Theological Seminary in NYC in 2002, and received her BA from Barnard College of Columbia University. She has also lived and studied in Israel. Rabbi Upbin has been the co-spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Shalom with her husband, Rabbi David Weizman, since 2005. She is a proud mother of four fabulous kids, and "dog mom" to an affable Havanese. She loves nature, working out, and really good coffee (not necessarily in that order).

You can reach her at rabbiupbin@cbsclearwater.org

Jason Palmer |  Teacher

Jay Palmer M.A., M.Div., BCC, currently serves as a Chaplain at St. Anthony’s Hospital, BayCare. He is a Board Certified member of the NAJC, Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies program at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. Jay has completed post graduate work at the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York and Modern Hebrew language studies with the Rosen School of Hebrew in Jerusalem. 

Cantor Laura Berkson

Laura Berkson’s belief in the power of music to nurture Jewish identity; facilitate cross-cultural and interfaith understanding; aid healing; and cultivate a living link between past, present and future generations, has inspired her work in the Jewish and wider world for over forty years.  She is a passionate educator who enjoys engaging with all ages, from young children to senior adults.  An accomplished pianist, guitarist, choral director, composer, and recording artist, Laura has produced three of her own recordings as well as the recordings of other artists.  Laura’s songs are sung in synagogues, choirs, summer camps and conferences across the US and UK, and her musical compositions have been published by the American Conference of Cantors, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Movement for Reform Judaism in the UK, and Transcontinental Music Publications. 

Laura holds a BA from Vassar College and a Master’s Degree in Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University.  She studied the Cantorial Arts from 2003-2009 with Hazzan Pinchas Spiro z”l, who bestowed upon her the title of Cantor.  She has served as a cantorial leader in synagogues in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Montana, Iowa and Florida.  Laura served as Chaplain Resident at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida from August 2020 through August 2021.   She currently works as Spiritual Care Coordinator of the Burgundy Team of Suncoast Hospice / Empath Health where she regularly uses music in her work with patients and their loved ones.  She is pursuing Board Certification through Neshama: The Association of Jewish Chaplains. 

Laura and her wife of 19 years, Penney, live in Safety Harbor with their cats Bella and Bucky Elijah, and their dog Mayzie.  She enjoys crocheting, nature photography, all things Star Trek, and propagating the monarch butterfly population.