Rabbi Dr. Lila Chertman is a physician, cantorial soloist, and spiritual leader whose life weaves together medicine, music, and a deep commitment to Jewish tradition. She received her Rabbinical Ordination in June 2025 from the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute, the culmination of a lifelong journey in faith and service.

Raised in Miami to Peruvian parents and nurtured in a deeply musical family, Lila’s love of Judaism began early. She attended Jewish Day School throughout her formative years, where her passion for Jewish learning and leadership first took root. She went on to graduate cum laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry, before earning her M.D. from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine with Alpha Omega Alpha and Phi Beta Kappa distinction.

Driven by a desire to use knowledge to heal, Dr. Chertman trained in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach and completed her fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System. Her contributions to medicine include published research, medical mission work in Peru, and service as a health policy intern for U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy in Washington, D.C. She currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor at Ross University School of Medicine, as a preceptor for medical students.

At the same time, music and spirituality have been guiding forces throughout her life. Lila began singing at age 10, performing as both a soloist and choir member in community events and private functions. While still in high school, she began leading services at Temple Emanu-El of Miami Beach, where she now serves as the Cantorial Soloist for the High Holy Days. She has performed internationally, including concerts in Lima, Peru, where she also recorded her CD of Jewish music, Every Soul, and in 2024 released Holy Days & Nights. During college, she was frequently invited to sing at special events such as convocations and joined the University of Miami Women’s Chamber Ensemble. Before medical school she served as Cantorial Assistant at Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton. From 2019–2024, she was a member of the Master Chorale of South Florida, performing in works such as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Verdi’s Requiem, and sharing the stage with Andrea Bocelli.

Lila’s musical leadership during services has been described as angelic, spiritually uplifting, deeply moving, smoothly melodic, and gently lyrical. Her voice is known to elevate prayer, opening hearts and inspiring connection. Equally, her words have left a lasting mark: her Divrei Torah were widely praised by colleagues in rabbinical school as powerful, motivating, and profoundly touching—often pulling at the heartstrings. Encouraged to share her writings more broadly, Lila began publishing her Divrei Torah on her Times of Israel blog, where many of her reflections and teachings can be found today.

Beyond her professional achievements, Lila is deeply passionate about Jewish community and Zionism. She held leadership roles and traveled extensively with organizations such as the Jewish National Fund and American Jewish Committee. Lila believes in strengthening relationships with Zionist allies beyond the Jewish community and fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding.  Her heritage and family have been constant sources of inspiration: her uncle, a pianist trained at the Manhattan School of Music, and her aunt, an opera singer in Salzburg, Austria, fostered the musical environment in which she was raised. Today, Rabbi Dr. Lila Chertman continues to unite her gifts as a healer, singer, and spiritual guide—bringing music, medicine, and meaning together in service of the Jewish people and the wider world.