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About Me 

Rabbi Allison Vann is known for her warmth, knowledge, spiritual presence, and innovative approach to Jewish life and living.

Rabbi Vann is serving her rabbinic colleagues as the Special Initiatives Coordinator for the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis). She is a one-on-one educator for the Jewish Learning Collaborative, an award-winning platform where Jewish professionals can meaningfully expand their own Jewish education. As an ICF-certified life coach, she is building a niche coaching practice, VannLifeWorks,  dedicated to supporting neurodivergent teens and emerging adults and their families. 

She spent more than 25 years as a congregational rabbi, most recently serving Suburban Temple Kol Ami in Beachwood, Ohio. There, Rabbi Vann was known for her spiritual presence on the bimah, seamlessly combining prayer, Torah and accessible teaching. She strengthened the congregations' unique legacy by paving the way for programs such Our Tent, the unique innovative learning model, and the creation of Open Doors, the sustainable membership model. During her tenure, the congregation broadened its' scope of social justice and social action with RAC-Ohio (Religious Action Center-Ohio) and GCC (Greater Cleveland Congregations). Rabbi Vann provided grounding work and narrative-shaping, as well as local and national leadership.
While celebrating its' 75th anniversary of the congregation Rabbi Vann worked closely with colleagues and leaders to plan meaningful celebrations. Importantly they secured more than 2 million dollars in lead gifts.

Rabbi Vann is a local and national leader. Some highlights of her Board service are: Past President of the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis;Jewish Family Services Association; Jewish Education Center of Cleveland.

She is a founding core team member of Religious Action Center (RAC) Ohio, an organizing community bringing Reform Jews from across Ohio together in the pursuit of justice. She served on the Ethics Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. In the summer of 2025, she participated in the ReKindle Fellowship, a cohort program which creates meaningful social change by bringing leaders from the Black and Jewish communities together.

Rabbi Vann graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1999. She began her career at Temple Beth- El in San Antonio, Texas where she served until coming to Cleveland in 2011. She is married to Charlie Vann, a public-school educator. Their son Isaac is a college student. The family is dedicated to their three rescue dogs, Annie, Mag and Cosmo.