About Ariel

Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe is a mother, musician, and neurodivergent rabbi in love with nature. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA, where she founded and directs Ma’alot, a spiritual community transforming lives through music, nature and Jewish wisdom.

Originally from Philadelphia, Wolpe grew up in an observant household where hiking was a typical after-shul activity and blessings were sung in harmony. Wolpe studied religion and music as an undergraduate at Emory University and co-founded an interfaith cafe for college students to perform and share religious art. Her senior year of college she created the inter-religious CD Spirit Sounds, which features musicians from six religions and centers around coexistence, struggles of faith, and the spiritual force of music.

After college, Wolpe moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where she worked as a Moishe House resident and became a ritual leader at Wilderness Torah festivals, leading prayer focused on Judaism’s ancient connection with nature. Wolpe joined in a band where she met her now husband, Jon Mitchell, who collaborated with her to record her second album, My Teachers.

In 2015 Wolpe moved to Los Angeles to begin rabbinical school at Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, where she focused on Hasidic commentaries and feminist interpretations of Jewish history and ritual. While in school, Wolpe worked as a spiritual counselor at Beit T’shuvah, a residential addiction treatment center, and performed her original music with her band, Sisters and Misters. For a year in Jerusalem, Wolpe co-led monthly Friday night services with Nava Tehila’s ensemble. During school Wolpe completed four fellowships, was awarded the Whizin prize for her essay exploring Jewish sexual ethics, and served as Beit Midrash Educator and Artist in Residence at Brandeis Collegiate Institute.

After ordination, Ariel moved to Philadelphia to study Jewish music as a resident through Hadar’s Rising Song Institute and served as Rabbi Artist in Residence at Adath Israel on the Main Line. She recorded her third album through Rising Song Records, Ruach Neshama. She continues to compose music and shares current projects through SoundCloud.

Currently, Wolpe is building a spiritual community in Atlanta through Ma’alot in Atlanta, GA. Wolpe collaborates with synagogues and organizations across the city to bring innovative music and Jewish life to the next generation. Wolpe is also working a book on Jewish texts and rituals to accompany women on their journey towards in motherhood. She shares her vision for Jewish community and spiritual life here, and posts ongoing teachings through her TikTok page @rabbiimma.

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