Kanaan Goldstein was raised in Norman, Oklahoma, in a small Reform Jewish community. Her parents, Krisanne Klein and Gary Goldstein worked hard to build a strong Jewish foundation for Kanaan and her sister, Edaan. She is grateful for their dedication to Jewish life and instilling a love for Torah and a deep connection to Israel.
In 2021, Kanaan was named a Tillman Scholar, and she remains deeply committed to a life of service. She is honored to continue serving both her country and her community in this meaningful role.
At 17, Kanaan joined the United States Navy, serving as a Fire Controlman. While deployed on the USS Wasp, she became the Jewish lay leader, leading services and creating sacred space for people to gather and talk. Reflecting on this experience and community was the beginning of her call to the rabbinate. Celebrating Shabbat in a setting where open flames were prohibited, she embraced the concept of menuchat hanefesh (“rest for the soul”), and symbolically drew flames as a way to “light” Shabbat candles, a practice that helped shape her approach to reconstructing tradition.
After six years of active duty, Kanaan transitioned to the Reserves and pursued a B.A. in psychology and Judaic & Israel Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She later worked for three Hillels, serving Jewish communities at the University of Oklahoma, Goucher College, and Syracuse University.
Currently, Kanaan serves as a chaplain for the Oklahoma City Police Department, providing spiritual and pastoral care to officers and their families. Her passion lies in supporting underserved communities, particularly in spaces where barriers to mental health and self-expression exist. After 15 years of enlisted service, she was recently commissioned as a Naval Officer and will continue her military service as a Navy Chaplain upon ordination.
A meaningful part of her journey has been the opportunity to work alongside her sister, Edaan Eidelbaum, a Jewish professional working for the Maccabee Task Force. Since attending AIPAC together in 2020, they have sought opportunities to stand as Zionist sisters, working to protect Israel and uphold Jewish values. Kanaan is eager to continue this mission in her rabbinate.
The saying “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” speaks to the idea that true growth is forged through challenge and adversity. This lesson was deeply connected to the journey of becoming a rabbi for Kanaan. A rabbi is not simply someone who studies texts and leads services; a rabbi is a guide, a source of strength, and a beacon in both joyful and turbulent times. Just as sailors learn to navigate rough waters, a rabbi must learn to navigate the complexities of faith, community, and human experience. The struggles, whether personal, academic, or communal, albeit obstacles, were essential parts of the journey that helped shape Kanaan into a rabbi. Becoming a rabbi is not about avoiding the storm, it’s about learning to steer through it.
Kanaan is deeply grateful for the steadfast support of her friends and family, whose care has been a constant source of strength. Above all, she is thankful for her fiancé, Curtis, a devoted partner and petroleum engineer, who has surrounded her with stability, love, and unwavering encouragement. As they look ahead to their wedding this October, Kanaan is filled with joy and anticipation for their life of shared purpose, growth, and love they continue to build together.
“I am a Jew. I am a stage on my nation’s journey, a “connecting link between the generations”. The dreams and hopes of my ancestors live on in me, and I am the guardian of their trust, now and for the future.”
– Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
