Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester: Rabbinic Intern
September 2022 to Present
Working under the mentorship of Rabbi Howard Goldsmith, I am learning to clearly articulate my rabbinate through writing, service-leading, educating life-long learners, and creating opportunities for teen engagement and leadership.
Most excited about: Our Academy students (8th & 9th grade) completing programmatic and philanthropic projects that will support further learning opportunities for all students..
Most fun activity: Creating b’tzelem Elohim boxes with an incredible group of 6th graders!
The most important thing I’ve learned thus far: Presence speaks most loudly when there are no words that can be said.
Jewish Learning Collaborative: Educator
September 2022 to Present
On a weekly basis, I empower Jewish professionals to engage in Jewish learning in ways that they find approachable: by topic, Biblical book, halakhic literature, or holiday.
Best connection: Aligning the two parts of Zechariah 8:16 with two Aladdin videos.
Most surprising realization: When Biblical characters retell something that happened in their story, they often add in superfluous details!
The most important thing I’ve learned thus far: I am able to learn just as much from my students as they are able to learn from me.
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion: Teaching Assistant
Fall 2020 to Present
For the past two years, I have supported HUC-JIR professors in creating coursework, managing technology, and maintaining a healthy physical/hybrid/digital learning atmosphere. Courses include Teaching & Learning Praxis, Teaching Lab, and Introduction to Medieval Jewish Philosophy.
Random fun fact: Before working for Dr. Evie Rotstein, I both took and guest lectured for her class!
My favorite thing I’ve taught is: constructing a strong lesson plan (with top secret tips!)
The most important thing I’ve learned thus far: It is important to include feedback from your learners in order to reach a true assessment of your learning plan (and to implement changes!).
Temple B’nai Chaim - Georgetown, CT: High Holy Day Student Rabbi
Fall 2022
During my last High Holy Days as a student, I was thrilled to work with an excellent cantorial mentor (Cantor Harriet Dunkerley), who empowered me to lead Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur both on and off the bima.
Favorite Fun Fact: I worked my 36th birthday into my Erev Rosh Hashanah sermon.
Thinking Outside the Sanctuary: During Rosh Hashanah, I created an outdoor learning opportunity based off of the three shofar services.
The most important thing I learned: The best way to lead is to be who you are.
Temple Shaaray Tefila of Westchester: Rabbinic Intern
September 2020-May 2022
The second half of 2020 began a time of transition at Temple Shaaray Tefila: I began my rabbinic internship just as my mentor, Rabbi David Wilfond took the position of Senior Rabbi. Through teaching, youth engagement, adult programming, pastoral care, service-leading, and sermon-writing, I found competence and confidence as a rabbinic presence.
Greatest Gift: Rabbi Wilfond empowered me to take cantorial coaching in order to bolster my presence on the bima!
Most Improved Player Award: Learning Megillah trope and reading four sections of the scroll
The most important thing I learned: How to write a strong and succinct sermon!
92nd Street Y: Consultant on the Elie Wiesel Living Archive
July 2020-March 2021
With Rabbi Jan Katz, I had the privilege of indexing Elie Wiesel’s lectures at the 92nd Street Y, going through decades of talks on Hasidism, Talmud, Biblical characters, and clever conversations. These videos with our notes, keywords, and favorite quotes are now on the 92Y website.
Favorite Wiesel Lecture: ALL OF THEM! But he sings in “Come Celebrate!” at 00:54:22-00:57:44 and 01:00:47-01:05:53. Listen in — it’s fabulous!
Random fun fact: I made word clouds out of every Elie Wiesel transcript to help pick major keywords.
The most important thing I learned: There is always so much to learn from every and all teachers— but if you don’t understand something at first, you may very well pick it up the next time around!
Temple Sinai - Summit, NJ: Director of High School Program & Youth Engagement
August 2019-August 2020
Working with the teens, youth, and community at Temple Sinai in Summit under the mentorship of Rabbi Dennis Ross, was an incredible experience showing how youth leadership can be developed (even while pivoting during a pandemic!). An extended summer unit enabled our students to engage with leadership through a Jewish lens, resulting in the creation of a fully virtual Purim Carnival and the raising of L’Taken scholarships for increased teen participation.
Favorite Trip: A toss up between our fall NY trip and watching our students lobby at Congress during the RAC’s L’taken Conference.
Funniest program: I’ve never laughed so hard as when our excellent teen leaders led our synagogue in a pandemic-based virtual cooking program (appetizers, entrees, and desserts!) and needed a special “color commentary!”
Craziest “buy”: 200+ mini-milkshakes to share with grades 4-7 for “Shakes in the Sukkah!”
The most important thing I learned: Teens will always give you direct and honest feedback, if you’re just willing to ask for it.
Temple Ohev Sholom - Harrisburg, PA: High Holy Day Student Rabbi & Cantorial Soloist
Fall 2019
This was my first High Holy Day pulpit after our Year-in-Israel where I led family services and co-facilitated main services with Rabbi Peter Kessler and Rabbi Yael Dadoun. Due to a wonderful mentorship with Rabbi Kessler, I was invited back during the fall to act as a cantorial soloist for fall b'nai mitzvah services.
Greatest Realization: Whether you are an ace shofar blower, or you’re just getting started, either way you get to honestly say that you blew it!
Favorite embarrassing memory: At some point, when I was singing Adon Olam with the congregation I lost my place and started laughing—and couldn’t stop. Luckily, the rabbi and the congregation laughed right along with me until we headed back to the chorus!
Random fun fact: My first trip to Harrisburg took me from Brooklyn to the Massachusetts Berkshires to Rockland County to Harrisburg.
The most important thing I learned: The people you lead will also lead you.
URJ Kutz Camp: Torah Corps Immersive Instructor
Summer 2019
As a Kutz alum (‘00, ‘01, ‘03), returning for its last summer as a faculty member was an incredibly special gift. I spent the summer teaching teens Torah, Tanakh, and Talmud, and also acted as a service-leading and divrei Torah advisor. On very special occasions, I also sat in as a drumming accompanist for services/concerts,
Best memory: Watching Elana Arian and the ‘19 Kutz teens perform “I Have a Voice.”
Favorite place at Kutz Camp: The Teatron—I have been known to feed the turtles!
Best trip day adventure: Finding a Jewish-themed Escape Room in Brooklyn for Torah Corps!
The most important thing I learned: It’s important to say goodbye on your own best terms.
Cornell Hillel: Assistant Director
July 2016-June 2018
As I moved into the senior staff team at Cornell Hillel, I learned how to best supervise and support a team of eight in creating a new era of innovative Jewish life at Cornell University. Focused on redefining engagement, we built up niche groups of Jewish life which would come together for larger-scale personal, professional, religious, and learning opportunities.
Sweetest memory: Working with the architecture majors to create the first kosher sukkah in the middle of the Arts quad — which sat exactly 49 people.
Craziest Adventure: Creating Shabbat at Statler was my first attempt at reaching out to an unknown group of Jewish students—being able to host a Shabbat at the Statler Hotel run by Hotelie students in the midst of a blizzard was quite the event to remember!
Most helpful tip: Always make sure that there is a gluten-free option. Always.
Favorite trip: Our board retreats at a lake house near by—a place to bond and grow together..
The most important thing I learned: How to entrust your people to empower others to lead.
Oregon Hillel Foundation: Oregon State Hillel Campus Director, Director of Jewish Leadership & Learning, Director of Student Engagement
November 2012-June 2016
Oregon Hillel was the first job to truly take a chance on me after the 2009 recession—and an organization that has inspired the work that I’ve done to this very day. This job stretched me creatively, personally, and professionally—and allowed me to engage in programming, fundraising, engagement opportunities, deep Jewish learning, and campus expansion.
Most hours spent: in a kitchen on either floor at Oregon Hillel, the AEPi house, or the Westminster chapel at Oregon State: preparing for Shabbat dinners, pancake breakfasts, Passover holidays, chicken soup deliveries, or any number of Loco for Latkes fundraisers!
Best dish served: My famous garlic bread challah (or my mother’s roasted potatoes).
Surprising lesson learned: How to drive a 12-person van on the icy roads of Bend, OR!
Favorite Program Name: Toss up between “BROgramming” or “Shabbar Shalom!”
The most important thing I learned: Programs are vehicles for building relationships.