Jewish spirituality begins with awareness of the sacred breath that connects body, soul, and Divine presence. Through mindfulness, music, and prayer, we learn to slow down and cultivate compassion. Spiritual practice is not an escape from the world but training for living wisely and lovingly within it.

In my rabbinate, I’ve been part of dynamic teams that create uplifting prayer and communal singing experiences. We’ve welcomed innovative song leaders like Joey Weisenberg, Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz, and Chava Mirell, whose artistry and spirit helped us elevate and deepen our community’s davening.

Jewish life flourishes in relationship. In a world hungry for connection, synagogues must be places where people are seen and known—where we listen, forgive, and celebrate together. Each shared meal or simple conversation becomes holy work, reviving the bonds that make community—and life itself—meaningful.

In my first year as Senior Rabbi of HEA, I had 180 coffee meetings with members. We implemented a model of small affinitity group programming that made a large synagogue feel more intimate. My leadership aims to connect people to one another through the practice of deep listening and empathy.

A synagogue is a sacred public square, forming citizens of conscience. Rooted in our prophetic tradition, we seek the welfare of our cities through acts of tzedek and hesed. By organizing, volunteering, and leading with empathy, we bring light, justice, and healing into the world. I believe vibrant Jewish communities strengthen our democracy through shared leadership and public service.

In my own rabbinate, I’ve tried to live these values beyond the synagogue. I served as President of the Rocky Mountain Rabbis and Cantors and on the boards of Jewish Family Service, JEWISHcolorado, ADL, and Ramah in the Rockies. I’ve volunteered in the JFS food pantry and taken part in interfaith dialogue and activism, including Faithful Tuesdays at the Colorado State Capitol. These experiences continue to shape my belief that Jewish life and civic life are deeply interconnected.

I am a Zionist who cherishes the miracle of Jewish sovereignty and also believes that the moral strength of the Jewish people depends on our capacity for self-reflection and compassion for others.  I have seen firsthand, through my work as Jewish Chaplain at the Claremont Colleges, how students long for spaces where they can wrestle honestly with Israel, identity, and justice — without fear of judgment or exclusion.

For me, Jewish learning isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about growth. I try to teach in ways that reach both the head and the heart, inviting people to explore text, art, and life in conversation with one another. I create imaginative educational experiences that engage multiple learning modalities.

In every setting, I want learners to feel curious, connected, and a little more awake to the world and to themselves.

Creating a community where everyone feels they belong has always been central to my rabbinate. In my first year as Senior Rabbi at HEA, I launched our Warm & Welcoming initiative. We expanded outreach to LGBTQ+ members, partnered with 18Doors to better support multi-heritage (interfaith) households, updated our membership policy to include non-Jewish spouses, and improved accessibility across the synagogue—from added learning supports to braille siddurim and other adaptive resources. My hope is simple: that everyone who enters Jewish space feels seen, valued, and at home.