Spiritual Leadership

Sacred community comes alive when tradition meets contemporary resonance. Through thoughtful, text-grounded preaching, dynamic musical prayer, and participatory ritual, my approach to spiritual leadership invites people of all ages into shared song, intellectual inquiry, and collective purpose. Through thoughtful, text-grounded preaching, dynamic communal song, and deliberate ritual craft, I invite congregations into honest wrestling with our tradition—transforming ancient wisdom into modern meaning and mobilizing communities around a vibrant, shared purpose.

Sermon Portfolio

Not A Promise, A Prayer

Rosh Hashanah, 5787

How do we hold onto hope when life breaks our hearts and leaves our efforts uncertain? Through the lens of two weeping Talmudic sages—Rav Yosef, who mourned the injustice of loss, and Rabbi Ami, who wrestled with fragile hope and Psalm 126, I explore how transforming certainty into a prayer allows us to find meaning in the acts of loving, learning, and community building, even when we don't get to see the harvest.

Staying the Ma’achelet: Living with Crisis Without Being Consumed

Rosh Hashanah, 5786

What do we do when the world feels like it’s eating us alive?". In this sermon I explore the concept of the Jewish people as the "ever-dying people"—a community that has lived in a state of eternal crisis since the time of Abraham. Drawing on the story of the Akedah, I identify the ma’achelet (the knife) as a metaphor for a crisis that threatens to consume us.

Lo L’fached—Be Not Afraid

Rosh Hashanah, 5785

Written in the shadow of the October 7th attacks and personal loss, this collaborative sermon-in-song with Cantor Claire Franco and Cantor Ella Gladstone Martin wrestles with the declaration, Lo L’fached (“Be not afraid”), at a time when fear feels unavoidable.

Musical Leadership Portfolio

Yesh Kochavim (Rabbi Dan Freelander and Jeff Klepper)

Sheva Brachot

Hinei Mah Tov Medley (Elana Arian, Folk & Rick Recht)

Adonai Ori (Cantor Becky Mann) - with Cantors Claire Franco and Ella Gladstone Martin

What People Say

"This sermon reflects your sharp intellect, your compassion, your love of text, and your incredible ability to translate our texts for our congregants. Yasher Koach!"

"I often think about why I am going to services each week (during the first year of mourning) for my Dad. You put an important component of my ‘why’ into words yesterday. I am still feeling grounded in my ‘why’, and this is because you were able to frame that for me. I'm still grieving deeply—I miss him very much—but sometimes the words help a lot and I wanted you to know."

"Your sermon, funny and profound, relatable in its anguish as inspiring in its message of hope, easy to listen to, yet deeply grounded in biblical scholarship, was extraordinary. You had me, and the entire kahal captivated from start to finish."

Recognition & Affiliations

  • Stephen S. Wise Memorial Prize in Homiletics (Hebrew Union College -Jewish Institute of Religion)

  • Dr. Jules Backman Memorial Prize in Human Relations (Hebrew Union College -Jewish Institute of Religion)

  • Fellowships: Regional Congregational Clergy Leadership Development Cohort, The Jewish Education Project Leadership Journey, JOIN For Justice Community Organizing.

  • Affiliations: Central Conference of American Rabbis (Member, Rabbinic Mentor, and Annual Campaign Solicitor), Women’s Rabbinic Network, Port Washington Interfaith Clergy.