I believe Jewish life should awaken the soul, deepen connection and inspire action for the common good.
About Me
Welcome to my online portfolio. By exploring the menu above, you can learn about my nearly two decade service as a congregational rabbi, community leader, and educator. My rabbinate is rooted in creativity, music, and thoughtful engagement with the world.
I strive to create sacred spaces where people feel seen and connected—to one another, to tradition, and to the Divine. Whether through soulful prayer, teaching, or pastoral care, I aim to nurture empathy, curiosity, and hope.
I currently serve as Jewish Chaplain at the Claremont Colleges, supporting Jewish students across seven campuses and fostering spiritual growth, community, and meaningful exploration of Jewish identity. Previously, I served a large Conservative Movement congregation in Denver, Colorado.
I believe deeply in egalitarian and inclusive Judaism — creating spaces where all feel welcome and valued. Music and soulful prayer are central to my work, as are creative approaches to teaching and community-building that make Judaism accessible, relevant, and deeply meaningful.
I am a first-generation American; my grandparents were refugees and survivors who fled Europe on the eve of WWII and rebuilt their lives in Peru, where my parents were born and raised. That legacy has given me an abiding sensitivity to questions of belonging, resilience, and moral responsibility.
I hold a master’s degree in anthropology and women’s studies from UC Santa Barbara , training that continues to inform how I listen, teach, and lead as a rabbi. I am a proud graduate of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where I gained a deep appreciation for vibrant, dynamic Judaism rooted in tradition and a commitment to serving people.
I am also an artist with experience in drawing, painting, ceramics and Hebrew calligraphy. I believe beauty, music, and aesthetic intention are essential pathways to spiritual life. Outside of work, I enjoy yoga, meditation, watching films, hiking, camping, snowboarding, and cycling.
I am grounded by my loving family: my wife Melanie, a lifelong Jewish professional, our twins Hannah and Micah, and the enduring memory of our son Koby, of blessed memory.
