About Rabbi Sam

Rabbi Sam Pollak is a dedicated educator and leader who joined Temple Isaiah in 2024 as Director of Youth & Family Education. Most recently, Rabbi Sam served as the Director of Congregational Learning at Kerem Shalom in Concord, Massachusetts, and previously he served as one of the rabbis of The Community Synagogue in Port Washington, New York. Rabbi Sam grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, receiving his rabbinical ordination in 2017 from that city's founding campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He currently lives in Cambridge with his husband, Rabbi Ari Abelman, and their son, Lev.

Rabbi Sam is honored to partner with Temple Isaiah families in nurturing the next generation of our Jewish community. As Director of Youth & Family Education, he leads a team of full-time temple educators, and he works closely with temple members, clergy, and staff. In collaboration with students and parents, he creates meaningful and joyful learning experiences for children, teens, and their families. Most of all, Rabbi Sam loves learning with and from the youngest members of our community.