Mark is a rabbi (ALEPH 2012), hazzan, musician, and storyteller. He is founder and spiritual guide of MOSh: Minyan Oneg Shabbat, the only exclusively online Zoomagogue. Mark has served numerous congregations as rabbi/cantor, including Congregation Har Shalom In Ft. Collins, CO and Adath Israel in Merion Station, PA.
Mark began his music career as a child, singing in a professional Jewish choir, and appearing on Broadway in the musical Oliver. From 1977-1986 he was the music director of Living Stage at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. His original theater pieces have been performed at Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts and The Smithsonian.
Mark began his music career as a child, singing in a professional Jewish choir, and appearing on Broadway in the musical Oliver. From 1977-1986 he was the music director of Living Stage at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. His original theater pieces have been performed at Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts and The Smithsonian.
Co-founders of The MutiFaith Storytelling Institute, Renée Brachfeld and Mark Novak are master storytellers. They have shared their vision of sacred storytelling at the Wisconsin Chaplaincy Association annual retreat and a full week's course at The Vacouver Theological Seminary. This husband-wife duo have been presented as Scholars/Artists in Residence at over 150 synagogues across the US and Canada, leading services, presenting workshops, and performing for both adult and family audiences. Their recording, King Solomon's Daughter, was awarded the Parents' Choice Gold Award. They have been featured presenters at LimmudFest in England, Limmud NY, Ruach HaAretz, Routes, and the Seattle International Storytelling Festival.
Renée has been a professional storyteller since 1986. In addition to performing she teaches a variety of workshops, including family storytelling, integrating storytelling in the classroom, and building community through storytelling. Renee has led High Holiday services for young families at Congregation B'nai Israel in Rockville, MD, and B'nau Shalom of Olney. MD. Her work has been published in Penina Schram’s Chosen Tales, and Goldie Milgram’s Mitzvah Stories
