Rabbi Mark Raphael came to Kehilat Shalom in 1996. A graduate of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts he holds a Masters Degree in Jewish Education in addition to his ordination in 1981 from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. In 2007, he was granted a D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) honoris causa for 25 years of Rabbinic Service.

Growing up on Long Island, Rabbi Raphael was drawn to the synagogue by the music of services, and he became committed to Jewish life through years of involvement in Camp Ramah, the summer camp movement of Conservative Judaism.

Rabbi Raphael previously served in congregations in Windsor, CT and Binghamton, NY. He is currently serving as the co-President of the Washington-Baltimore Rabbinical Assembly and Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington Board of Rabbis. He is a past Chair of the Board of Community Ministry of Montgomery County. He is a national Jewish leader in "Community Organizing," grass-roots political action within synagogues and other faith communities. Rabbi Raphael through his involvement in Jewish education has received his Teacher's and Principal's Licenses from the Jewish Education Service of North America.

In addition to the love of the pastoral, educational and spiritual duties of the rabbinate, Rabbi Raphael spends his free time tinkering with his computer, exercising, and reading (mostly science fiction). He especially relishes whatever leisure time he can enjoy with his wife Diane and son Tali.

Rabbi Raphael keeps regular mid-morning and late afternoon office hours Tuesday through Friday.