Rabbi Michelle Pearlman

Rabbi Michelle Denker Pearlman died peacefully at home on September 20, 2026 (9 Tishri 5887), surrounded by her family, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her beloved husband of 25 years Andrew Denker, her children, Madeline, Noa, and Natalia Denker, in whom Michelle’s values of tikun olam, community, sensitivity, and sunshine are reflected every day; loving and dedicated mother, Barbara Pearlman and younger brother, Adam. She is lovingly remembered by her extended family, including Stephanie (Adam) Pearlman, Steven and Karen Denker, Edward and Dana Denker, and nieces and nephews Alexis and Aria Pearlman, Bennett, Landon, Ruby, and Benjamin Denker, along with mothers-in-law Maxine Denker and Betsy Pincus, and countless other family, friends, and the family's devoted dogs Charli and Daphne. She was predeceased by her father, Harvey Pearlman.

Michelle, 56, grew up in Southfield, Michigan, and received degrees from the University of Michigan (go blue) (BFA, 1992), University of Illinois (MFA, 1995), and Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion (Masters of Hebrew Letters, 2004, and Rabbinic Ordination, 2005). Michelle loved the centrality of music in Jewish practice and the beauty of Jewish communal life, leading to her entrance into the rabbinate. Her Jewish professional career included Congregation Kol Ami (Chicago, Illinois), Beit Warszawa Synagogue (Warsaw, Poland), Woodstock Area Jewish Community (Vermont), Temple Shalom of Newton (Massachusetts), Monmouth Reform Temple (New Jersey), and for the last 13 years, Beth Chaim Reform Congregation in Malvern, PA. Michelle was also involved in the Central Conference of American Rabbis, URJ Camp Harlam, Interfaith Philadelphia, and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Michelle practiced relational Judaism, building communities and relationships and bringing Jewish Joy to many. She loved meditation and studying Mussar, which were central to her rabbinate. Many congregants told her that they didn’t know how enjoyable it could be to practice Judaism until she came along. She will be greatly missed. May her memory be for a blessing.

The funeral will be held at Beth Chaim Reform Congregation of Malvern and virtually https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jqZz7JSfQCSwLk6kdb9Eow at 11 am on Wednesday, September 23. Interment to follow at Haym Salomon Memorial Park (Malvern, PA). Shiva will be observed at her home on Thursday from 2-9, and Friday from 12-5, and the family will also be at Beth Chaim Monday, September 28 from 5-9.

Donations can be made to Beth Chaim Reform Congregation of Malvern (bethchaim.net) and the National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation (nlmsf.org). 

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