Education
BA in Psychology from California State University, Northridge
MA’s in Rabbinic Literature and Education from the University of Judaism
rabbinical ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
Certificate in Jewish Meditation Instruction
Certificate in Non-Profit Business Management from the Rabbinic Management Institute at American Jewish University
Bio
“Oh, what a long, strange trip it’s been...” This iconic lyric captures the joy Rabbi Katzan has had on his professional journey.
A native of the Jewish Pico/Robertson neighborhood in West Los Angeles, Rabbi Katzan grew up in traditional Jewish Day Schools but began to identify passionately with the Jewish ethical and spiritual tradition while in college at the California State University, Northridge in the mid-1980s. At that time, he discovered the Jewish practices of meditation and realized Judaism’s voice was one that sought to challenge and build the soul and character of the individual as well as the soul of a society as a whole. This began a lifelong career of exploring and teaching the wisdom of Judaism. His passion for psychology, guitar, meditation, and Israel were also realized in those formative years at University, and they remain at the forefront of his life and style as an educator to this day.
Rabbi Katzan earned a BA in Psychology from California State University, Northridge; MA’s in Rabbinic Literature and Education from the University of Judaism; rabbinical ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies; Certificate in Jewish Meditation Instruction; Certificate in Non-Profit Business Management from the Rabbinic Management Institute at American Jewish University; and is a lifelong student of guitar having studied at CSUN and Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA.
Professionally, Rabbi Katzan has taught at the Milken Community High School in Los Angeles, served as Associate Rabbi at the Hebrew Educational Alliance in Denver, CO, Senior Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of Congregation Habonim in Manhattan, New York, interim Rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Phoenix, AZ, adjunct lecturer in Rabbinics at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, and is presently the Senior Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of Mishkon Tephilo in Venice Beach, CA.
Rabbi Katzan seeks to uplift his students, congregants, and community with the aspirations of Jewish tradition, joyous and leisurely Shabbat meals with intellectual and spiritual conversation and practice, and with music.