EDUCATION
Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion
Projected Ordination, May 2017
Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature, May 2016
Thesis: From Strength to Strength: The Impact of Interim Rabbis on Rabbinic Transitions. (Advisor: Rabbi Nancy Wiener, D.MIN)
New York University – Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
Advanced Professional Certificate in Management for Public & Nonprofit Organizations, December 2016
University of Maryland, College Park
Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Development & Community Leadership, May 2007
Thesis: Strategic Management in the American Synagogue. (Advisor: Dr. M. Susan Taylor)
Fellowships & Leadership Development
Bonnie and Daniel Tisch Rabbinical Fellow — 2014-Present
Explored the future of the American Synagogue through a unique, interdisciplinary approach, incorporating interactions with religious leaders and artists of a variety of faiths.
Wexner Graduate Fellow — 2012-2016
Developed skills of visionary leadership through interactions with world-class faculty and fellows from diverse backgrounds.
Be Wise Jewish Entrepreneurship Fellow — 2014-2015
Co-created a day of learning on the use of technology as a community-building tool for synagogues. Designed an experimental t’filah service incorporating various methods of digital participation.
JOIN for Justice: Seminary Leadership & Organizing Course — 2013
Developed community organizing skills for the purpose of animating communities and achieving social change.
Shalom Hartman Institute, Rabbinical Student Seminar — 2012-2013
Engaged with diverse topics related to Israel, Jewish life, and Jewish texts in a pluralistic learning environment.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Pulpit & Pastoral Experience
Beth Haverim Shir Shalom, Rabbinic Intern
Mahwah, NJ – 2015-Present
As the Community Organizing Intern, engage numerous congregants in one-to-one and group conversations to identify and develop new leaders.
Designed a pilot initiative, in collaboration with the board, to create opportunities for congregants to share their time and talent in meaningful ways.
Create and teach curriculum on character development and ethical decision-making for teens and adult education courses on topics ranging from prayer practice to rabbinic texts to navigating life transitions.
Work with the clergy team to plan and lead dynamic Shabbat and holiday worship and deliver meaningful sermons.
Mount Sinai, St. Luke’s, Clinical Pastoral Education Summer Intern
New York City, NY – Summer 2016
Provided spiritual care and support to patients and families in a neurological Intensive Care Unit.
Prayed with and supported families and patients as they made difficult, end-of-life decisions and mourned lost loved-ones.
Temple Micah, Tisch Fellowship Summer Residency
Washington, DC – Summer 2015
Expanded the congregation’s High Holy Day preparation learning program by introducing new social media elements.
Consulted on the redesign of the synagogue’s website.
Shadowed Rabbi Zemel through the daily pastoral and programmatic activities of an active congregation.
Temple B’nai Israel, Monthly Weekend Pulpit
High Point, NC – 2014-2015
Provided the sole rabbinic presence, including assisting the board with aspects of congregational life, leading Shabbat and holiday services, and creating adult education opportunities for the community of 50 members.
Temple Emanuel, Summer Rabbinic Intern
Denver, CO – Summer 2013
Redesigned the religious school prayer book.
Shadowed the clergy team through their daily activities and meetings.
Youth & Education Experience
Shwayder Camp of Temple Emanuel, Senior Jewish Educator
Idaho Springs, CO – Summer 2014
Created an innovative t’filah education curriculum.
Empowered counselors to build dynamic Jewish education programs.
Designed a new camp prayer book that integrated traditional prayers with camper artwork and writing.
East End Temple, Religious School Teacher
New York, NY – 2013-2014
Gettysburg Hillel, High Holy Day Rabbinic Intern
Gettysburg, PA – Fall 2013
Temple B’nai Shalom, Assistant Educator & Youth Director
Fairfax Station, VA – 2009-2012
Developed new curricula for the Hebrew school and 8th and 9th grade religious studies.
Created engaging family education programs.
Coordinated three youth groups for grades 5-12 and advised the senior youth group board.
Led the development of a strategic, synagogue-wide technology plan and the design of the synagogue’s new website.
Organizational Experience
JFFixler Group, Social Media Strategist
Denver, CO – 2007-2010
Coached clients on using social media as a method to engage volunteers and members more deeply.
Implemented a company-wide social media plan.
Designed materials for consultant presentations.
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom, Program Coordinator
Washington, DC – 2007-2009
Coordinated the logistics and programming for seven grassroots-advocacy conferences, training more than 200 young adults in community organizing and faith-based advocacy.
Supervised 20 campus organizing interns.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, New York
- New York Campus Dean Search Committee, student representative.
- HUC-JIR Mission Statement Task-Force, student representative.
- 2017 New York Ordination Committee.
- Worship Working Group.
- New York Campus Culture Task Force.
Union for Reform Judaism, Resolutions Committee
Helped develop new social justice policies introduced at the past three URJ Biennials. (2011-Present)
Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning, IsraelQuest Advisory Board, Washington DC
Assisted in creating new ways to encourage community youth to go on trips to Israel. (2011-2012)
826DC Youth Writing Center, Washington DC
Helped operate the organization’s store in order to raise funds for tutoring and writing programs. (2010-2012)
PRESENTATIONS AND ARTICLES
“Your Synagogue’s Strategic Plan is Missing Something,” E-Jewish Philanthropy, May 2016.
“Using Social Media in Your Volunteer Engagement Strategy,” E-Volunteerism, July 2009.
“Technology in the Jewish Classroom” and “The Jewish Hero Concept,” (presentations) Limmud Colorado, May 2009.
“Engaging Volunteers Online,” (presentation) Advanced Practitioners Institute, DOVIA (Directors of Volunteers in Agencies), Denver, May 2009.
“Engagement 2.0: Cultivating Volunteer Relationships Online,” Volunteer Management Review, Co-Author with Jill Friedman Fixler, May 2009.
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP
Irving & Molly P. Cohen Memorial Prize in Midrash, 2016
Rabbi Bernard M. Cohen Award in Ecumenical Studies, 2016
Elisa Brickner Memorial Prize, 2016
Gavi Klonsky Award for “Amitz Lev,” 2015
Martin Berman Memorial Prize in Philosophy, 2014
Anselm Rothschild Memorial Prize in Talmud, 2014
David G. Sacks Scholarship Prize for General Academic Excellence, 2014
Rabbi Jason Huebsch Prize for Excellence in Community Service, 2013
Dr. Irwin E. Vinnik Fellow for Advanced Study in Israel, 2013
INTERESTS
Jewish Folklore – Teaches classes about Jewish ghost stories and Jewish superheroes. Owner of Brooklyn’s largest collection of Golem books and memorabilia.
Theater – Authored a blog for 20’s and 30’s about DC arts and culture. Sees 20-30 plays per year.
Poetry – Interested in the intersection between poetry and liturgy. Led a creative service at HUC-JIR integrating modern American poetry into prayer.