It all began in Germany …

If my parents had survived the concentration camps … Dayenu.

If my parents had reunited after the War in Amsterdam … Dayenu.

If my parents had come to Chicago being sponsored by relatives who escaped from Europe … Dayenu.

If those same relatives had come to California … Dayenu.

If my parents had followed the extended family to the “Goldene Medina” (golden state) … Dayenu.

If my parents had joined a fledgling synagogue where I was welcomed during my teen years … Dayenu.

Jewish journeys happen for a reason …

and my early years certainly prepared me for a life dedicated to service in the Jewish community. Finding my place as a youth group member (later as president of both the junior and senior youth groups), I spent every available moment with my Jewish friends. I was invited to work in the Religious School as a madricha (teacher’s aide), and delivered my first sermon to the junior congregation in eighth grade. In high school I was asked to be the religious school secretary (typing and shorthand came in handy!), and became familiar with the inner workings of the synagogue.

A family emergency required one of the teachers to take a leave of absence and voila, I became a Hebrew School teacher. I made lifelong connections with my students, some of which still find me to share fond memories of their years in my classroom. I learned quickly that relationships are what make the curriculum come to life. In other words, I taught students, and the material was what followed.

As an undergraduate student at California State University (Fullerton), I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies, soaking up every class and studying with professors of every faith tradition. I flew through the classes to fulfill the requirements of the degree, and still had time left and units to earn for graduation. I loved psychology but have never been a science-mind, so decided to work towards another degree in Sociology (psychology of groups). I was fascinated by the material studied, and was able to create an extensive project on “The Sociological Institutions of Death and Dying.” While I had no idea what to do with either of my two degrees upon graduation, I now realize that my education would become the foundation for my passion in serving the Jewish community as a rabbi.

I began taking advanced Hebrew at the American Jewish University (previously University of Judaism) while continuing to work as a secretary at my home congregation. I enjoyed knowing how to manage the school and other congregational duties, and then one day was informed of an opening for a director of education at a neighboring synagogue. I applied, and got the job! After a ten-year absence and a deep longing to return to my home congregation, the time was right, and I became the director of the religious school at Temple Beth Tikvah in Fullerton, CA. In 2000 I became the synagogue’s executive director while continuing to manage the school, and in 2016 shifted to a position as director of community engagement and communication.

As the years passed, I never lost the subtle message coming from my soul that the rabbinate could be a next step in my journey. That dream became a reality in June 2020 after earning S’micha (ordination) from the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute. I now have the opportunity to serve the Jewish community more fully, as a counselor, teacher, and mentor. I hope we will have an opportunity to meet and explore ways to transform your Jewish life, in as traditional or as creative a way as you wish. May your life be as fulfilled as mine has become … may we go from strength to strength!