Tom Samuels is the rabbi at the Congregation Kol Ami synagogue in Elmira, NY. He recently relocated to Elmira from British Columbia, Canada, and before that from Chicago, IL where he served as the rabbi for a variety of communities. Being a rabbi is a relatively new path for Tom in his pursuit of a life of meaning, purpose and of service.

Prior to attending and graduating from rabbinical seminary, Tom worked as an urban designer for the City of Chicago organizing local communities to take ownership of the design of their built environment. Ultimately, whether designing roadway intersections or leading a prayer service, Tom’s mission, his calling, is to build holiness with others in our everyday lives.