Experience

Congregation Bet Haverim
• United States
• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Rabbi

  • Aug 2022 - Present


Congregation Beth Elohim

• United States
• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Rabbi

  • Jun 2017 - Jun 2022

  Served as spiritual and ritual leader for 280-family synagogue. Achievements: • Attracted over 50 new families • Revitalized Shabbat and chag services, introducing fuller davvening and Torah leyning, including more interactive Torah study sessions, and reintroduced Slichot and Tisha B’Av to the ritual calendar • Cultivated social justice consciousness within congregation, helping guide congregational Na’aseh justice team in advocacy efforts such as demonstrations and davvening at local ICE offices, connections with the Ugandan American Muslim Association (UAMA), and organizing fundraising efforts in collaboration with the Jewish community in Puerto Rico • Created “low-threshold” engagement initiatives, like “Coffee House Rabbi” and “Bible & Bourbon” • Collaborated with Cantor and Educator to invigorate preschool and youth Shabbat experiences • Nurtured relationships with community partners, including elected officials, school administrators, and local religious leaders, enabling synagogue to quickly respond to communal and national crises • Revamped B’nei Mitzvah D’var Torah process, creating a generative relationship with students to allow them room to create deep and personal text-based drashot • Guided lay leadership on creating revised ritual policies and stronger governance structures Show less



Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice

• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-chair, Bay Area Regional Council

  • 2012 - May 2017

  Shared responsibility for organizational goals, including staying true to mission of enabling Jews to do justice work as a core expression of Judaism. Maintained organizational partnership across lines of race, class, and faith. Identified and cultivated organization-wide issues and opportunities with Regional Director and staff. Prepared and led annual retreat. Represented organization externally to Jewish and non-Jewish stakeholders. Achievements  Partnered with other region leaders in contributing to the passage of Proposition 47, reforming sentencing guidelines throughout the state of California  Part of founding core that launched region’s first-ever Racial Justice Team  Utilized public pressure and civil disobedience in partnership with interfaith leaders to pressure county DA to drop charges against local Black Lives Matter activists  Travelled with other interfaith leaders to speak at US House and Senate Briefings, entitled “Faith Voices Speak Out on Criminal Justice Reform.” Show less



Beth Chaim Congregation

• United States
• Performing Arts
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Rabbi / Educator

  • Jul 2012 - Jul 2015

  Created and implemented a vision for all educational activities. Served as Principal of community's Beit Midrash, supervising staff of 24 teachers and madrichim, and school administrator. Coordinated all B'nai Mitzvah programming, including creating policy regarding ritual, spiritual, and ethical components. Mentored students along B'nei Mitzvah journeys, including developing a personal path within Torah, and cultivating each student's Torah trope skills. Served as Shabbat service leader in senior rabbis's absence. Achievements: • Led congregation on a journey to re-imagine and implement new Beit Midrash and B'nei Mitzvah programs • Introduced Chugim (project-based electives) to Sunday Beit Midrash, allowing students to present creative and artistic collaborative work to the congregation, in areas such as drama, film, music, conversational Hebrew, Talmudic debate, and visual art * Created "Hebrew Power Hour," a streamlined midweek class allowing students of different grades to work together in mastering prayer skills • Collaborated with Bend the Arc, Fair Trade Judaica, and the Simcha Sisters to hold region-wide "Raising the Bar on the Mitzvah" socially-responsible B'nei Mitzvah Fair • Delivered Rosh HaShanah sermon reflecting experiences in Ghana with AJWS delegation • Restructured Sunday morning "Z'man Kehillah" to reflect order of shachrit service • Initiated and organized Friday night Shabbat dinners at "Ruach" Shabbat experience • Introduced “Mensch Cards” and “Rabbi Bucks” to incentivize and reward students for hard work and good behavior • Helped to grow and integrate BBYO youth groups within synagogue community • Organized "Stressbusters" panel discussion to help families cope with academic, sports, and social pressures • Led synagogue's first “Parents’ Circle” group, to introduce young families to Jewish ritual and community • Streamlined B’nai Mitzvah manual to make it more readable and usable • Revived synagogue's dormant Facebook presence Show less



Philipstown Reform Synagogue

• Rabbi

  • Jul 2009 - Jul 2012

  Served as sole rabbinic leader for congregation. Led monthly Shabbat study and acted as shliach tzibbur for services. Leyned Torah for Shabbat worship. Conducted lifecycle events. Developed creative approaches for holiday observance. Achievements • Revamped approach to Torah study and literacy • Guided congregation in transition to new siddur, Mishkan T’filah • Revitalized monthly Shabbat observance, utilizing both traditional nusach and modern music • Initiated annual "Blessing of the Animals" Shabbat • Created congregation’s first family-friendly Sukkot celebration • Crafted and led congregation’s first Slichot observance • Spearheaded outreach to print and digital media outlets • Developed first “Artist Shabbat,” bringing local artists to discuss role of Judaism in the creative process • Helped create film screening (“Heir to an Execution”) and Q&A with filmmaker Michael Meeropol Show less



Kehillat Lev Shalem -- The Woodstock Jewish Congregation

• Director of Congregational Learning

  • Jul 2011 - Jun 2012

  Oversaw and led congregation’s Adult and Family Education, including the “Family School,” “Shabbat Community” Programming, Adult Education, and Teen programming. Supervised staff of 15 teachers and madrichim. Oversaw all Education budgets. Served as the primary service leader in Rabbi Jonathan Kligler’s absence. Achievements: • Reinvented and led engaging Family Education programs, creating lasting and powerful moments for students and adults, including series “Great Arguments in Jewish History” • Created first-ever Religious School Handbook/Policy Guide • Cultivated creation of lay-led Congregational Learning Committee • Led congregational board in workshop on Values-Based Decision Making • Instituted home Hebrew reading requirement, realizing dramatic increases in reading fluency • Refined professional skills and accountability of teachers and madrichim • Instituted curricular goals, standardizing and routinizing Hebrew skill tracking and record-keeping • Fostered greater sense of community among students of all ages • Led well-received Adult Education classes on Jonah and Esther as models for modern Jewish seekers • Revitalized Religious School Tefilah, empowering students to explore their spiritual and ethical lives • Increased attendance in Grade 6 and below by 24 percent Show less



Hillels of Westchester

• Campus Rabbi

  • Aug 2006 - Jun 2011

  Served as sole rabbinic figure for students at Sarah Lawrence College and Purchase College. Led Shabbat and holiday services. Created opportunities and structures for students to take on leadership responsibilities. Evaluated campus programming. Supervised campus Hillel chair, Israel Interns, and Arts & Culture Interns. Administered, organized and staffed campus immersion experiences, including “Birthright Israel” and Alternative Spring Break trips. Pursued development efforts among area community members and rabbis. Partnered with campus administration and local agencies to further enhance Jewish campus life. Acted as campus Jewish educator and pastoral counselor. As only member of clergy on campus, periodically counseled students of other faiths. Achievements: • Reinvented Shabbat prayer and study experiences, creating an interactive booklet to guide students through Shabbat table rituals • Conceived and guided creative holiday festivities, including interactive multimedia Passover seder, first-ever Purimshpiel/Megillah reading, Lag B’Omer picnic, and Tu B’Shevat seder • Crafted Israel programs to engage unaffiliated students in ongoing relationship with the Jewish State • Raised profile for Hillel as a pastoral support for students of all faiths • Spearheaded campus-wide vigils for victims of homophobic bullying, and memorial for victims of the Virginia Tech shooting • Instituted social-media outreach plan, utilizing email, facebook, and text messaging. • Revamped and invigorated Yamim Noraim services, including all ritual aspects • Contributor to Hillel International LGBTQ Resource Guide • Added Jewish study component to all programs, including student and staff planning meetings • Infused programming with social justice components, as befitting the respective campus populations, including manifold increase in Alternative Spring Break participation • Pursued fund-raising initiative among rabbis, alumni, and community, realizing a doubling of gifts Show less



Rockland Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

• Educator

  • 2010 - May 2011

  Instructed adult learners in various subject areas, including the Social Justice teachings of the prophets, the book of Ruth, and the books of Samuel. Instructed adult learners in various subject areas, including the Social Justice teachings of the prophets, the book of Ruth, and the books of Samuel.



Congregation Kol Ami, White Plains

• High School Educator

  • Aug 2002 - May 2007

  Instructed eleventh and twelfth-grade students in curriculum including halakhah, social justice, and Talmud. Achievements: • Developed and taught congregation’s first weekly curriculum for this age-group • Introduced “‘Sense’-ible Judaism” program and sourcebook, an exploration of Jewish sensory perception • Helped to achieve three-fold increase in attendance Instructed eleventh and twelfth-grade students in curriculum including halakhah, social justice, and Talmud. Achievements: • Developed and taught congregation’s first weekly curriculum for this age-group • Introduced “‘Sense’-ible Judaism” program and sourcebook, an exploration of Jewish sensory perception • Helped to achieve three-fold increase in attendance



Reconstructionist Temple Beth Israel

• Student Rabbi

  • Jul 2004 - Jun 2006

  Served as rabbinic leader for 53-family congregation. Presented divrei Torah and officiated at worship services. Led all Yamim Noraim services, including drashot. Created and taught “Beit Midrash for All Jews” program. Served as liaison for all children’s programming. Coordinated or led all lifecycle events. Served congregants as pastoral counselor. Achievements: • Directed formation of Social Justice (“Tzedek”) committee • Led congregation in transitions regarding kashrut practice and acceptance of patrilineal descent • Implemented “Beit Midrash for All Jews” program, empowering congregants to develop a familiarity with Jewish scripture and study Jewish texts through chevrutah learning • Assisted ritual committee in standardizing service structure • Advised congregational leaders and educators in revitalizing dormant Hebrew School Show less



Jewish Institute for Pastoral Care

• Hospital Chaplain -- Hospital for Special Surgery

  • May 2004 - Aug 2004

  Served as interfaith chaplain for 50-bed floor. Interacted with nurses, administrators and other staff. Provided emotional and spiritual support to both adult and pediatric patients. Achievements: * Applied skills learned in didactic training to patient interactions * Assisted pastoral volunteers in applying this training to their patient contact Served as interfaith chaplain for 50-bed floor. Interacted with nurses, administrators and other staff. Provided emotional and spiritual support to both adult and pediatric patients. Achievements: * Applied skills learned in didactic training to patient interactions * Assisted pastoral volunteers in applying this training to their patient contact



Congregation Beth Simchat Torah

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations

• Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern

  • Jul 2003 - Jun 2004

  Assisted in serving 900-member congregation. Presented divrei Torah and officiated at worship services. Led Yamim Noraim youth services. Developed and taught adult education classes. Planned and co-officiated at all children’s programming. Served as liaison to CBST congregational groups. Served congregants in role as pastoral counselor. Achievements: • Revitalized Social Justice (“Tzedek”) committee, bringing in new leadership and expanding group activity • Identified need for “20s30s” group for congregants under 40, and oversaw its creation and functioning • Presented d’var Torah (“Difficult Texts, Difficult People”) at Yom Kippur afternoon service at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (New York, NY) Show less



Temple Beth Israel, Winsted CT

• Student Rabbi

  • Jul 2002 - Jun 2004

  Led 60-member congregation in all Shabbat services. Presented divrei Torah and theme-oriented stories. Led High Holiday and Festival Services. Developed and taught all educational programs and classes. Achievements: • Instituted inventive programs, such as “What is Shabbat?” workshop • Taught basic Hebrew and Torah knowledge to congregants with burgeoning Jewish identity Led 60-member congregation in all Shabbat services. Presented divrei Torah and theme-oriented stories. Led High Holiday and Festival Services. Developed and taught all educational programs and classes. Achievements: • Instituted inventive programs, such as “What is Shabbat?” workshop • Taught basic Hebrew and Torah knowledge to congregants with burgeoning Jewish identity



Temple Bnai Shalom

• United States
• Religious Institutions

• Student Rabbi

  • Aug 2000 - Jul 2001

  Assisted in leading 700-family congregation in a variety of worship services. Presented services divrei Torah, and theme-oriented stories. Led Yamim Noraim youth and family services. Developed and taught adult education classes. Instructed seventh through tenth-grade religious school students, as well as b’nai mitzvah students. Advised youth group in organizing, publicizing and implementing programming. Achievements: • Developed well-attended Adult Education series, including such classes as “Slichot – A Teaching and Meditation” and “The Architecture of the Shabbat Morning Service” • Created and implemented seventh grade “Torah of Torah” and comparative Judaism curricula, including teacher guide. Served as seventh grade staff contact. • Revitalized youth group membership, empowering students to implement events and activities, including first-ever regional event, hosting over 250 participants Show less



Reform Temple of Suffern

• United States
• Education Administration Programs

• Youth Director/Religious School Teacher

  • Aug 1996 - May 2000

  Instructed sixth through twelfth-grade students in self-designed curricula including Torah, Prophets, Ethics, History, Rabbinic Commentary, and Tefilah. Advised Senior Youth Group in developing, organizing, publicizing and implementing youth events and programs. Enabled students to conduct periodic synagogue-wide services. Empower students to comprehend and teach Jewish texts to their peers. Instill in students an enthusiasm for Jewish study Achievements • Helped pilot the open classroom Hebrew model that would later become the Mitkadem Curriculum • Guided students in hosting congregation’s first regional Conclave, hosting over 150 participants from New York and New Jersey • Achieved 80% increase in Youth Group membership and participation in regional events • Coordinated first Youth Group trip to the Religious Action Center in Washington, DC • Prepared Youth Group to conduct first student-led Shabbat morning service • Assisted students in creating theme-oriented Kabbalat Shabbat services, including “Tefilah and Kavvanah” and “Honoring Our Teachers” • Helped Youth Group board overcome organizational difficulties in areas such as task distribution, communication and financial management Show less



Temple Ner Tamid

• United States
• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Religious School Teacher

  • 1997 - 1999

  Instructed third and sixth-grade students in curricula including Tanakh, Jewish history, and Ethics Achievements • Improved sixth-grade students recognition of Torah narratives and characters • Established and reinforced guidelines for respect and discipline within classroom • Revamped third-grade letter-recognition curriculum, greatly improving students’ decoding skills Instructed third and sixth-grade students in curricula including Tanakh, Jewish history, and Ethics Achievements • Improved sixth-grade students recognition of Torah narratives and characters • Established and reinforced guidelines for respect and discipline within classroom • Revamped third-grade letter-recognition curriculum, greatly improving students’ decoding skills