Alexander Grass Rabbinic Chair
RavTyler@BethAmBaltimore.org
Rav Tyler Dratch became Beth Am’s eighth spiritual leader in July 2026. He joined Beth Am in 2021, first serving as Director of Youth and Family Education and Prayer Leader and later as Associate Rabbi. During those years, he invited the congregation into soulful tefilah (prayer), expanded Beth Am’s innovative Jewish Discovery Lab, and became a trusted teacher to congregants of all ages.
As Senior Rabbi, Rav Tyler is committed to building a community rooted in meaningful relationships, serious Jewish learning, joyful prayer, pastoral care, and a shared responsibility for justice in Baltimore City and beyond. He accompanies congregants through lifecycle moments and times of transition while helping guide the spiritual direction of the congregation.
Rav Tyler is deeply involved in interfaith and communal work throughout Baltimore. He participated in the congregational fellowship of the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS) and serves on the Baltimore Leadership Council of Jews United for Justice. He has also helped lead Baltimore’s annual community Pride Shabbat and community-wide gatherings advocating for immigrants and refugees.
Rav Tyler has welcomed a growing number of younger members to Beth Am through the revitalization of BAYITT, the synagogue’s young-adult community. Through Shabbat dinners, relevant Jewish learning, and opportunities to build meaningful relationships, he has invited young adults into Jewish community—and, for many, helped make Beth Am their spiritual home. He has also developed new programming for families with young children, helping them incorporate Jewish ritual into their homes and find meaning and belonging within synagogue life.
Rav Tyler received rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College, where he also earned a master’s degree in Jewish Education and a certificate in Spirituality and Social Justice. While in rabbinic school, he was selected as a Wexner Graduate Fellow. He holds bachelor’s degrees from the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University. Before joining Beth Am, he worked at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and served as a rabbinic intern at Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Rav Tyler is married to Emily Sellman, a school-based occupational therapist and devoted member of the Beth Am community. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Sadie and Mira.
Ba’alat Tefilah (prayer leader)
Ms. Woloff has 25 years of prayer leading experience, including with the notable Jewish musicians and prayer leaders Joey Weisenberg and Josh Warschawski. She has mastery of numerous nuschaot and trope, as well as experience as a Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation tutor. For six years, she was the director of the Rosenbloom Religious School at Chizuk Amuno before she opted to pursue an advanced degree in social work and a career as a therapist.
Beth Am has arranged for Ms. Woloff to lead Shabbat services once per month, where she will blend our customary melodies (traditional conservative and Weisgal tunes) with other musical traditions. We think you will agree that she has a beautiful voice and engaging presence and that this will be an exciting year of music and learning for Beth Am. We look forward to this upcoming year of further exploration and expect that davening with Ms. Woloff will be very rewarding.
Cantor Emeritus
Cantor Ira Greenstein served as hazzan, choir leader, and teacher at Beth Am from 2000 to 2020. He received his commission through the Conservative movement of Judaism. Cantor Greenstein possesses a rich bass-baritone voice, a deep love of Jewish music, and an engaging personality that invites and encourages congregants to participate in the worship service.
Cantor Greenstein previously served congregations in Bethesda and Columbia, Maryland; Augusta, Georgia; and New York City. A native of Long Island, he graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary’s Prozdor program. In his youth he was a teacher’s aide, choir member, junior congregation leader, and a member of the Camp Ramah staff. He received much of his post-secondary musical training at the University of Maryland, from which Cantor Greenstein earned three secular degrees, including an M.A. in educational administration. He has been a soloist and member of several Maryland choral groups, and he has composed and arranged vocal music for the synagogue and for concert performance.
Cantor Greenstein and his wife Roberta have two adult children: Rabbi Hannah Greenstein Wallick, living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Ben Greenstein, a Baltimore-area business professional.
Cantor Greenstein inherited Beth Am’s musical tradition of Cantor Abba Yosef Weisgal. Weisgal served as hazzan in Beth Am’s building for over 50 years, at the time when it was home to Chizuk Amuno. Weisgal’s melodies, blended with compositions from Sulzer, Lewandowski and other great hazzanim, fill Beth Am’s worship service with a unique spirit.
Rabbi Emeritus
Founding Rebbe
1902-2001
1922-2008
