Our Clergy Team
Rabbi Daniel Schaefer
Rabbi Daniel Schaefer is a graduate of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, where he earned his M.A. in Jewish Studies. Prior to joining Mishkan Israel, Daniel served as the Interim Director for Jewish at Life at Georgetown University and the Assistant Rabbi at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline, MA.
Daniel grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut before attending Stanford University, where he studied History and Jewish Studies. His award-winning honors thesis, American Judaism Reconsidered: Religion & Nationalism in the Thought of Irving Reichert, explored visions of American Judaism before World War II. At Hebrew College, his capstone project, The Way of the Wilderness, focused on connections between nature and Torah in the book of Numbers.
After college, Daniel worked as an entrepreneur and ghostwriter, taught at a wilderness school, and served in AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, before returning to rabbinical school. In addition to Hebrew College, he studied at Mechon Hadar, the Hartman Institute, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Hebrew Union College.
He is passionate about Torah study, experiential learning, spiritual exploration, and building multi-generational Jewish community. In his free time, he loves spending time hiking with his dog Ruby and cheering on the Boston Celtics.
Cantor Sierra Fox
Cantor Fox was ordained in May 2025 by Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, where she also received her Master's of Sacred Music. She graduated with highest honors from Syracuse University with a Bachelor's of Music in Vocal Performance and Religion & Society. She continued with graduate work towards a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Temple University and towards a Master of Social Work degree at Widener University before realizing her calling toward the cantorate. Most recently, Cantor Fox served as Cantorial Intern under the mentorship of Cantor Azi Schwartz at the prestigious Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City and as a Tisch/Star Summer Cantorial Intern at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, NY.
Cantor Fox also held the positions of student cantor, b’nei mitzvah tutor, Religious School instructor, and cantorial soloist at Temple Emanuel of South Hills in Pittsburgh, PA, East End Temple and Central Synagogue in New York City, Congregation Beth Yam in Hilton Head, SC, and Keneseth Israel Synagogue in Elkins Park, PA, from 2014 to 2023. She is the recipient of numerous awards and prizes, including the Tisch/Star Fellowship with renowned author and liturgist Rabbi Larry Hoffman, the Joyce Rosenzweig Prize for Creativity in Worship Music, and the Lee Gura Memorial Prize for Special Aptitude and Interest in Synagogue Choral Music. Her senior thesis, "Sound-Informed Spirituality, Spirituality-Informed Sound: Exploring the Sonic World through Science and Mysticism," culminated in a recital that delved into the scientific and mystical origins and applications of sound in a wide range of styles.
In her spare time, Cantor Fox loves learning about and collecting mineral specimens, making origami and jewelry, playing hand-drums, meeting local pets, and exploring museums, zoos, and coffee shops. She is delighted to begin her tenure at Congregation Mishkan Israel, and looks forward to connecting with the congregants and local community in the weeks, months, and years ahead!
Rabbi Emeritus, Herbert N. Brockman
Herbert N. Brockman is a seventh-generation rabbi. Raised in a richly Orthodox home, he chose the liberal tradition of Reform Judaism. After graduating from Ohio University, Rabbi Brockman attended Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, where he received both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Hebrew Letters. He received his Ph.D. from the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary’s Seminary and University of Baltimore. Upon completion of 25 years in the rabbinate, Rabbi Brockman was awarded the Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College. He also is certified in divorce mediation.
Rabbi Brockman teaches and engages in community projects, and he has been at the forefront of interfaith and justice work, not only in New Haven, but also nationally and internationally. He serves on the board of Interfaith Cooperative Ministeries and Hartford Seminary, and teaches at Yale Divinity School. He has been described as a champion of compassion and justice. Rabbi Brockman describes the synagogue as being a spiritual home as well as a place where individuals can learn about and gain an appreciation of other peoples, cultures, and traditions. He views involvement in the community as central to the synagogue’s mission. “A temple exists to serve its members, first of all, but it should be a light to the community as well.”
Cantor Emeritus, Arthur Giglio
Cantor Arthur Giglio is a graduate of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) with a Master of Sacred Music and Diploma of Hazzan. He also holds a Bachelor in Voice and a Master in Music Education from Manhattan School of Music. Prior to coming to CMI, Cantor Giglio served as Interim Cantor at the Conservative Synagogue of Fifth Avenue, High Holiday Hazzan at Heichal Baoranim in Flagstaff, AZ and Temple Beth Israel at Plattsburgh, NY, and Assistant Cantor/Cantorial Soloist at Congregation Emanu-el of the City of New York.