“If you will it, it is no dream.” Theodore Herzl wrote these famous words as he struggled to realize his dream of a Jewish homeland. In these words, I have found the strength to pursue and make my dreams a reality. 

I believe that the best dreams drive you to action and positive change. Through my experiences, I have worked hard to ensure that my dreams are willed to fruition. However, I never imagined where my dreams would take me or how they would profoundly change me. 

The synagogue has always been my home. I remember singing in the children’s choir, seeking out Jewish programming, and joining youth groups from a young age. I love the light glimmering in from the stained-glass windows, dancing in the aisles while the words of our ancestors echoed in the sanctuary. However, I often found myself on the outside looking in. I interacted with prayer differently than others.  I grew up in a Reform community, went to a Conservative High School, joined the youth group, USY, only to switch to NCSY because I wanted something more Jewish, and attended Chabad and a Modern Orthodox Shul for Shabbat. I was searching for connection in a way that many of my peers were not. The challenge of feeling like an outsider has made me uniquely aware of those like me and has allowed me to begin to bridge the gap between our traditions and innovation. 

As I grew up, I continued to explore what my Judaism meant to me. It eventually led me to Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. I chose this institution because, through Reform Judaism, I can adopt more stringent practices or choose to embrace my creativity as I see fit. I see Judaism as a playground. It is a space that often brings joy and comfort to people, maybe even nostalgia. However, for different reasons, it is not always accessible to everyone. That is where I see the role of the Rabbi. A Rabbi is the bridge that offers the joy of Judaism to all who wish to experience it.

In my capacity as Assistant Rabbi, Director of Engagement, Education, and Outreach, I wore many hats. As Director of our Religious School, I revigorated our school to include a morning t’fillah service, Hebrew class, and Jewish culture curriculum. In doing so, I increased the student registration by 15 percent. After talking to the parents, I also created a parents and guardians group called Adults Rak (Adults only). This group met monthly during Religious School to learn and socialize. Finally, I created a youth group called TJs for grades pre-k through 7th grade. Also, meeting once a month, this youth group is focused on socializing and having fun! My goal for our Religious School was to create a fun environment for the students and adults to learn to love Judaism. By focusing on that, learning became a natural positive consequence.

As a Director of Engagement, I have strived to create a space that lives the value of inclusion. During my tenure at Temple Israel, I have increased our membership by more than 20 percent in this endeavor! This was done by meeting with individuals over a cup of coffee or holding office hours at a cafe. In these meetings, I learned about their Jewish needs and did whatever I could to support their journey. This increase in membership spans from the ages of 18 all the way to 96. In each situation, they all found a community at Temple Israel that was ready to embrace them.

As the Director of Outreach, I worked closely with our other Jewish institutions in Tulsa, such as the JCC, the Federation, and Moishe Pod. By partnering with our other institutions, I was able to reach members of the Jewish community who were not yet on our radar. We were able to create meaningful events together that might not have been possible otherwise. I attended as many community events as my schedule would allow, ensuring I was always visible. I take pride in my ability to remember small facts about each person so that I can build deeper and more authentic relationships.

Among my passions for Judaism, I am also an artist. As an artist, I can turn a blank piece of paper into something beautiful. I firmly believe that we can turn our lives into meaningful pieces of art through Judaism and our sacred teachings. My dedication to creativity means I bring my enthusiasm for ongoing learning to every Adult Education course, Religious School class, and casual conversation I participate in. My job as a Rabbi is to be the easel of my community and support them through each brushstroke of life. 

I truly love what I do. For me, the Rabbinate is a calling. I could not imagine doing anything more impactful with my life. My passion for Judaism is interwoven into everything I do, all in the hope of creating a safe and authentic space for others to discover their love of Judaism as well. I could not do this incredible work without the help of my amazing spouse, Yonah. I am blessed to have Yonah in my life, to support me, and more importantly, to read my sermons several times before Shabbat.