Associate Rabbi (2023-Present); Assistant Rabbi (2020-2023)

Member of a 3-clergy team in a 1300-family suburban community that prioritizes relationships, innovation, and member engagement. Regarded as the flagship Reform congregation in Tampa, with a 400-student Preschool and a 500-student Religious School, the congregation has experienced growth over the past 5 years while retaining its fundamental culture of being a synagogue where members want to know each other and want to be known. 

Avodah – Creating impactful spiritual experiences for people of all ages and stages

·       Collaborated with Senior Rabbi and Cantor to plan and lead accessible, musical Shabbat evening and morning services.

·       Brought a warm, engaging presence to worship, striking a balance between kevah and kavanah.

·       Crafted engaging and relevant Shabbat and holiday sermons designed to connect Jewish values to the issues of our time and to help people live a more conscientious life viewed through a Jewish lens.

·       Developed and co-led majestic, reflective High Holy Day and festival services that met the spiritual needs of the community and helped connect them to Judaism and to each other.

·       Wrote creative and engaging High Holy Day family and tot services that incorporated sets, costumes, stories, and songs.

·       Worked with youth advisor and youth group to design participatory, engaging High Holy Day youth service.

·       Led community seders for families and for the synagogue’s sizeable 20s and 30s cohort. 

·       Worked with a consultant to design and lead weekly Friday morning Preschool Shabbat musical program for 400 students.

Torah – Encouraging Jewish curiosity and discovery

·      Built deep relationships, inspired a love of Judaism, and catalyzed Jewish identity in young people as they and their families prepare for unforgettable B’nei Mitzvah experiences.

·      Met learners of all ages "where they are" by leading engaging weekly and episodic Adult Ed programs on popular and eclectic subjects, in-person and on-line.

·      Ran a Dungeons and Dragons group for middle school-aged students.

·       Guided a cadre of curious adult learners in thoughtful, interactive weekly Torah study.

·       Taught a bespoke curriculum for 8th-Grade Pre-Confirmation Class.

·       Created and taught a syllabus for much of the synagogue’s "Intro to Judaism" course

·       Built relationships and inspired an appreciation for Jewish life in hundreds of conversion students.

·       Coordinated the conversion program and bringing a supportive, receptive perspective to help shepherd candidates through the process.

·       Studied a wide range of Jewish texts, fiction, and history to collect wisdom to share with the community.

Gemilut Chasadim – Connecting meaningfully with congregants in times of sorrow and joy

·       Came to the community a few months into the Covid pandemic, scheduled one-on-one Zoom meetings with numerous members, and maintained an “open door” schedule to prioritize relationships and availability.

·       Officiated at weddings and worked with couples to help them better understand their relationship, the home they want to build together, and how Judaism fits into their lives.

·       Devoted time to listening to families tell stories of their loved ones prior to funerals, shiva services, and unveiling ceremonies.

·       Offered comfort and support to congregants through hospital visits and pastoral meetings.

·       Officiated at baby-namings and b’rit milah ceremonies for member and non-member new parents.

·       Made every effort to put people at ease by creating a safe space to explore complex ideas and topics.

Rabbinic Intern
Rockdale Temple, Cincinnati, OH                                                                                2019 — 2020

·      Planned and led Shabbat services.

·      Designed and led Torah study based on Mikraot Gedolot.

·      Trained for and taught "Resetting the Table" (a multi-vocal course on Israel) to adults.

·      Provided Jewish enrichment for Religious School students ages 3-14.

Student Rabbi (bi-weekly)
Mt. Zion Congregation, Sioux Falls, SD                                                                        2017 — 2018

·      Planned and led bi-weekly Shabbat evening services and holiday services.

·      Led Torah study and adult ed sessions based on Jewish ethical texts.

·      Provided pastoral care and consulted with conversion candidates.

·      Welcomed and taught groups of college students studying world religions.

Student Rabbi (monthly)
Beth Boruk Temple, Richmond, IN                                                                               2016 — 2017

·      Planned and led monthly Shabbat evening and holiday services.

·      Led Torah study sessions in a congregant’s home.