Teaching

I am a teacher before anything else. I came to the rabbinate through education and pedagogy and no matter where my career takes me I will always approach my work as a teacher. For my teaching credits, please peruse my CV, but I will say that my particular expertise lies in teaching Tanach (Bible), halacha (Jewish law), liturgy, and Talmud to learners of all ages at any level. I take a no-holds-barred approach; the challenging and confusing parts of our tradition such as the sacrificial system, the pervasive sexism, and the tendency for law to appear regressive or reactionary are all on the table for discussion. Judaism is beautiful and it is challenging, and all Jews deserve to be lifelong learners.

I learn with my students, taking a learner-centered approach to build classroom communities devoted to rigorous engagement with traditional texts while remaining completely authentic to our contemporary moment and our own inclinations. Machlokot l’shem shamayim, debates/disagreements for the sake of heaven, are encouraged and fostered with grace and respect as we strive towards meaning-making.

I got my start in Jewish education as a curriculum developer, and would be more than happy to help your community develop curriculum around any Jewish topic. Below is a non-exhaustive list of topics I have taught before. Please also feel free to peruse some of my divrei Torah and source-sheets.