Category Archive: Inspiration

Blessings to, from, and within Colorado!

My heart overflows with gratitude. Experienced my first ALEPH ordination/Smicha and first OHALAH conference. Mazal Tov again to all our new clergy and thank you to everyone who helped create the sacred space of OHALAH.

I want to share part of my remarks that I made on Tuesday:

About six months ago, I found my soul yearning for something more both professionally and personally. There is more to my story as a Jew by Choice and as a Jewish professional working within the Jewish community. I was asked during the interview process how I would do in a room full of rabbis. And so here I am. I know I can do this. Just as I said standing on the Bima 4 years ago as an adult bat mitzvah, it doesn’t matter that I am a Jew by choice. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t grow up in a Jewish home or go to Jewish camps. God is always here. No middle man. I am not seeking salvation. What I continue to seek is meaning — a life of purpose, a life filled with love and connection. No posturing. No games. There is something to be said about not trying too hard. Fully embracing myself and those around me. Submerge. Surrender. Speak honestly and openly. Turning and re-turning.

Inspiring Rabbis


ALEPH offers a heartfelt mazal tov to the 32 rabbis named in the Forward’s list of Most Inspiring Rabbis 2016 – especially to ALEPH co-chair Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and Rabbi Shafir Lobb, both ordained by ALEPH; Rabbi David Ingber of Romemu, one of the world’s largest Jewish Renewal communities; and Rabbi Royi Shaffin, husband of our Executive Director Shoshanna Schechter-Shaffin. They join the many other Renewalniks who have been honored on this list in years past. Here’s to rabbis who inspire — who breathe spirit into lives of service to others and to God.

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