Michael Asher was ordained by the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute (JSLI) in June 2025. He is a rabbi, educator, and community builder committed to creating welcoming, meaningful, and engaging Jewish experiences for people from diverse backgrounds.
His path to the rabbinate grew out of many years of active involvement in Jewish communal life, worship, leadership, and adult learning. His rabbinate is rooted in the belief that Jewish tradition can be both deeply meaningful and genuinely welcoming, and that there should be a place within Jewish life for all who sincerely seek to learn, participate, and stand with the Jewish people.
Rabbi Asher leads worship services, teaches adult Jewish education, and serves as a rabbinic leader with Sim Shalom Online Synagogue. He is also the founder of the Center for Jewish Discovery of Central Florida, a nonprofit Jewish community focused on inclusive worship, learning, and connection.
Before entering the rabbinate, Rabbi Asher spent 35 years in the newspaper industry in leadership roles spanning journalism, technology, and management. He brings that experience in communication, organizational leadership, and connecting with people to his rabbinic work.
Rabbi Asher has also completed Level 1 Clinical Pastoral Education at AdventHealth University, strengthening his skills in pastoral care, compassionate listening, and interfaith engagement.
He lives in Central Florida with his wife, Robin.