In June 2009, with the restructuring of the Union, Rabbi Elliott Kleinman, RJE, became the director of Advancing Reform Judaism. In this capacity Rabbi Kleinman is responsible for coordinating the Union's presence in the global and North American arenas. He is responsible for the Biennial Conventions of the Union – North America's largest Jewish gathering – that brings together more than 5,000 synagogue volunteer leaders and professionals for 5 days of worship, music and study. Rabbi Kleinman is also the executive editor of Reform Judaism magazine.

Prior to taking on this reponsibility, Rabbi Kleinman, was the chief program officer for the Union for Reform Judaism. In that role he coordinated the work of the departments of Outreach and Synagogue Community, Jewish Family Concerns, Worship, Music and Religious Living and Social Action.

Rabbi Kleinman, RJE (Reform Jewish Educator), received his M.P.S.A from DePaul University, M.A.H.L. (Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion), M.Ed. (Xavier University), and Rabbinical Ordination from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. Before coming to New York, Rabbi Kleinman was the Regional Director for the Northeast Lakes Council/Detroit Federation of the Union. Prior to his work at the Union for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Kleinman served as a rabbi at Temple Sholom of Chicago.

Rabbi Kleinman finds time to write and lecture about educational issues confronting the Jewish community and about issues in leadership and organizational dynamics. For something to do between doing things, Kleinman serves on the Boards of the Interfaith Broadcast Commission and Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, on the Advisory Council of Myriam's Dream Foundation and on the Member Council of Faith and Values Media. An author and editor, Kleinman has taught teachers and students in both Jewish and secular schools and universities. He is a Chicagoan by birth and a Cubs fan by nature.

In a previous life, Kleinman was steeped in Chicago Politics for more than ten years where he developed an appreciation of cigars and good politics. Elliott Kleinman is also Shira and Avi's father.