Think about a younger girl with a present for the performing arts, raised in a standard Jewish residence in Maryland and feeling a profound calling to pursue rabbinical research. Social The Life-style Journal is honored to interview Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski, identified on Instagram as @myhotrabbi. On this interview, she shares her journey of embracing her spiritual calling, discusses her work with Constructing Collectively: Constructing Relationships between Palestinians and Israelis, and displays on her household life and what it means to be a rabbi on this period. Moreover, Rabbi Jablonski explores how her coaching as an actor and performer at NYU’s Tisch College of the Arts has performed a pivotal function in her journey. She can also be an achieved creator, together with her memoir, Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World. Do you know Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski has even hosted a podcast, Shalom In Your Cellphone (how cool is that)?
Meghan Forte: Are you able to share a bit about your journey to changing into a rabbi, significantly your private path by each Mesifta Adas Wolkowisk rabbinical seminary and NYU’s Tisch College of the Arts?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: It’s arduous to sum up how an observant Jewish lady who used to dream of changing into a performer grew to become a rabbi in only a few sentences. In confession III of my memoir, Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World,I inform the complete story – however listed here are the cliff notes.
I grew up within the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. Proper after my very own bat mitzvah, I began working in Jewish training and prayer instruction. I taught and ready youngsters for his or her bar and bat mitzvahs (educating Hebrew and the complicated cantillation system for Jewish scripture), however by no means thought that I would turn into a rabbi. I had no ladies Rabbis to look as much as, and I assumed that function might solely be held by males. As a younger grownup, I used to be extra fascinated by changing into a performer than a member of clergy. Whereas finding out drama at NYU’s Tisch College of the Arts I met the award-winning, groundbreaking, and prolific Broadway composer and director, Elizabeth Swados. Swados forged me because the lead of a musical and we started an extended relationship engaged on performs and literary works, usually with Jewish content material. In my early twenties I nonetheless labored for a number of synagogues and households as a Hebrew instructor, b’nai mitzvah tutor, or lay chief of providers. With Swados’s steerage, I finally started to know I might let go of a few of my extra conventional beliefs. I stepped into my calling. I started researching rabbinical seminaries throughout the previous few weeks of Swados’ life, which was reduce brief by most cancers. I requested the recommendation of many rabbis I had beforehand labored with and understood that Mesifta Adas Wolkowisk’s program, primarily based in New York, labored greatest for me.
Meghan Forte: What impressed you to create an “on-demand one-woman synagogue,” and the way do you see this mannequin reshaping the function of clergy in at this time’s world?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: The necessity for on-demand facilitators of faith is what helped me form my rabbinate as a non-institutional rabbi. Whereas I’m the product of Jewish education and synagogue membership, in my early years of educating in New York, I met many households who have been what I name “de-shuling,” leaving their synagogues due to a handful of causes. I discovered that the primary causes for leaving a shul (that’s Yiddish for synagogue and college) have been time, cash, irrelevance, or one thing traumatic that occurred to repel them from holding membership. The COVID-19 Pandemic exacerbated all of this, as for practically a yr, locations of worship closed their bodily doorways to members.
To dwell in New York Metropolis it’s a must to be extraordinary, but temples usually cater to a typical denominator. Some synagogues don’t have a ton of flexibility as a result of they function with boards, insurance policies, and particular spiritual second necessities. What if your loved ones didn’t match the traditional mildew? Possibly a baby had a studying problem or incapacity that made synagogue Hebrew college not an possibility. Possibly a household spent weekends in one other metropolis or state. Possibly a household was present process a divorce or one guardian wasn’t of the Jewish religion and due to this fact felt unwelcome in a synagogue. I grew to become more and more conscious of the statistic that Jewish American enrollment in Hebrew college was down by practically 50% from the years 2006-2020. So, I used to be fascinated by those that determined that whereas Hebrew college didn’t work for them, they nonetheless needed to be Jewish and mark their lifecycle moments in a Jewish approach. I by no means inform any household to go away their home-base establishment. However for many who have left or are leaving and nonetheless need to have Jewish experiences, I can hold them concerned.
Meghan Forte: You’ve officiated many life cycle occasions, from weddings to child namings. Is there a specific second or ceremony that has profoundly impacted you?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: One ceremony that I solely briefly point out in my memoir, Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi, was with a younger man who had profound bodily and developmental disabilities. For the sake of this story, let’s name him Steve. I used to be by no means given a precise analysis by Steve’s mother and father and I by no means heard from any of his nurses as to why this boy wanted 24/7 help and care. Steve struggled with primary motor expertise and didn’t converse clearly. His maturity degree at occasions was that of a bit boy and different occasions well beyond his years. He went to a college for disabled youngsters. Steve couldn’t totally specific himself with phrases however might sing alongside to any tune on his iPad. Once I taught for the household and led the bat mitzvah for his older sister, Steve’s mother and father observed how their son loved the service. Steve expressed to his mother and father he needed to have a prayer service when he turned 13. I used to be not sure that Steve would be capable to take part on this custom, as he must sound out difficult phrases in Hebrew. However he longed to rejoice this milestone and longed to study extra prayers. I started educating him aurally, so he might study prayers and songs for a modified bar mitzvah service. Every week we went by the prayers he already knew and tried so as to add yet one more. We at all times checked in on what Jewish vacation was approaching or learn a narrative from the Jewish bible. Classes have been difficult for varied causes – we sat on the ground and the boy was surrounded by distracting toys and dolls that he would take breaks to point out me. His consideration was arduous to carry; typically he simply rolled round on the ground; typically he insisted on singing a single prayer 5 occasions as a substitute of transferring on to a brand new one. After solely 6 months of coaching, from his wheelchair, Steve and I led his bar mitzvah service collectively on a superbly embellished bima (a spiritual stage). There was not a dry eye in his congregation of household and mates. Folks have been amazed to see this baby so completely satisfied and capable of specific himself and his love of his faith by tune– bear in mind he might barely specific his primary wants. It was all so transferring. Within the Jewish group, mother and father beam with delight after their baby has a coming-of-age ceremony, like a bar mitzvah. Whereas most thought Steve would by no means be capable to take part on this custom, I used to be capable of present him and his mother and father pleasure and delight in his accomplishments. He had a beautiful time at his celebration as properly. For the subsequent yr, we had periods each Saturday afternoon. Each week, we’d re-do his whole bar mitzvah ceremony, and study a brand new bible story or rejoice holidays collectively. I continued my relationship with this household and I educated the youngest brother, who grew to become a Bar Mitzvah in 2023. My work with this household spanned 7 years, and I served the household on completely satisfied and tragic events. Working one-on-one, within the boutique approach that I do, was the rationale I might present this household with such unimaginable spiritual experiences.
Meghan Forte: As somebody who works with synagogues and households globally, how do you navigate and mix numerous Jewish traditions and customs from totally different communities?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Jews should not a monolith: we come from many areas of the world and maintain totally different practices if we’re European, Spanish or from Jap locations of origin. Generally, when working with a household that has a distinct spiritual or ethnic background from me (conventional Ashkenazi), I’ve to analysis melodies and rituals inside their group’s observe. Usually, nevertheless, I’ll meet a household with just one guardian, grandparent or member that has a singular background. I inform folks on a regular basis that each household is an intermarriage of some sort. For instance, I’m married to a Jewish man who’s from Australia however his mother and father have been raised in Jap Europe. My mother and father additionally got here from totally different backgrounds (my father was from an observant background and my mom was secular and had Israeli citizenship). Many households have an fascinating make-up: I’ve one pupil with a Pakistani/non-Jewish guardian. I’ve one other pupil whose mom was Mexican and Catholic. I serve individuals who have a guardian who has transformed however their grandparents should not Jewish. Being a clergy member within the fashionable world calls for that I’m welcoming and versatile for all the members of our broader communities. As a result of I craft particular person providers for every household, every service can have parts that mirror their household’s distinctive make-up. For some, it could be prayers in one other language moreover English or Hebrew. For some, it means further readings to make non-Jewish visitors comfy. For a lot of with members of the family who should not Jewish, the household needs all the Jewish conventional customs with adjusted explanations earlier than every prayer.
Meghan Forte: Your involvement in Constructing Collectively: Constructing Relationships between Palestinians and Israelis is notable. How do you method fostering dialogue and understanding in such a fancy and infrequently polarized house?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: With any problem, I flip to scripture and commandments to work my approach by. The Previous Testomony instructs us to “love thy neighbor” (Leviticus 19:18). By the way in which, the world’s most well-known former Rabbi, Jesus, preached and taught the identical to his followers. Normally, Judaism’s texts promote a loving relationship with G-d, his folks, and all peoples. Israelis and Palestinians are neighbors and human beings, every deserving of dignity and love. Once I come again to this primary precept, I see the necessity for constructive interactions that may result in constructive relationships and enterprise partnerships between Palestinians and Israelis.
Each peoples rely upon agriculture, dwell in the identical area, and maintain comparable considerations. Each peoples harvest produce and promote to their markets. Constructing Collectively launched the 2 communities to allow them to share greatest practices and co-design similar amenities to streamline their income. Constructing Collectively raises cash to reward prepared Israeli and Palestinian communities with all-expenses-paid factories to create a co-owned and co-branded product: date honey. This honey is offered within the USA, largely at religion establishments and universities. The income are break up between the 2 communities and enhance high quality of life on either side. As an increasing number of communities will see the upside of working collectively, this course of will develop to an increasing number of communities. By being an middleman and doing the work to search out peaceable and prepared events from Palestinian and Israeli populations, Constructing Collectively is attempting to essentially have an effect on change within the Center East. Actually the vast majority of Palestinians and Israelis are reasonable and need the most effective for one another. We assist facilitate a sensible effort.
Constructing Collectively’s board is equal components Christian, Jewish, and Muslim. All members are devoted to creating the lives higher for the inhabitants of Israel and Palestine. Usually even board members don’t interpret present occasions in the identical approach. We’re not a political group however see we each acknowledge our fortune and chance to assist. It doesn’t matter what, we’re neighbors and behave neighborly. We maintain house for one another’s experiences and attempt to have productive dialogue. Generally we conform to pause once we understand we’re taking place a path with no decision. Extra usually, we now have a lot in frequent with our humanity. As leaders, we proceed to return again to that.
Meghan Forte: With so many modifications in how folks connect with religion, particularly amongst youthful generations, how do you retain Judaism related and significant to the group?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Firstly, I lead by instance, balancing my very own lifestyle as deeply Jewish however engaged in fashionable life. Then I acknowledge that every state of affairs, household or particular person in entrance of me is exclusive and has their very own mishigas – idiosyncrasies which have introduced them to me. Religion is private, observe is private and I’ve to get to know the particular person(s) I’m working with. I additionally establish what practices or beliefs from the vastness of Judaism could be related to every cohort that I facilitate for. I lean into their pursuits and open the door to spiritual thought and observe by that curiosity or concept. The remaining takes care of itself. Judaism is fascinating, enjoyable, musical and sophisticated. There’s at all times a approach in. Speaking with the usage of expertise and staying updated on traits and popular culture the way in which this technology communicates is so vital. I textual content. I dm. I’ve a bit canine who goes all over the place with me. I’m a rabbi for this century, on this century.
Meghan Forte: How does your background within the arts from NYU affect your method to educating, officiating, and group constructing?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Anybody in a public dealing with job has to have public talking expertise. My coaching as an actor has helped me finetune this expertise. I’m additionally a rabbi that sings and reads music. I punctuate spiritual occasions with musical parts, drawing from modern Jewish composers in addition to historic melodies. I’ve working relationships with many musicians so as to add to the ambiance of any ceremony. I’m additionally conscious that whereas spiritual ceremonies typically should not scripted, they comply with an order that permits for improvisation and feeding off of an viewers. As a rabbi, I regulate my phrases primarily based on every group I serve and their real-time suggestions. I’ve to be humorous and current – expertise I honed in my craft as a performer.
Meghan Forte: What recommendation do you’ve gotten for ladies aspiring to management roles inside spiritual communities, significantly in areas historically dominated by males?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Ladies can do every thing males can do, however not everybody desires that. Take dangers, break by, encourage as you wish to, and know there are going to be many parishioners fascinated by your providing. Nonetheless, some won’t approve, and they’re as free to decide on as you might be. Be sturdy and courageous. Hear rigorously to clues from guides above that may provide help to craft your observe.
Meghan Forte: Are you able to speak about how your work in charity and advocacy intersects together with your function as a rabbi?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: It’s a Jewish command to interact in acts of justice and charity. Not solely rabbis should fulfill that command. However as a rabbi, I have to lead by instance. I’ve discovered causes that match my values like supporting veterans, cooking for the meals insecure, Israel advocacy, and Constructing relationships between Israelis and Palestinians by farming. My husband and I are members of varied arts organizations and museums and donate to most fundraisers which are vital to our community of family and friends. Donating or doing acts of charity throughout vital milestones is a approach that my husband and I rejoice as properly. We had a charity mission in honor of our marriage ceremony and infrequently combine our birthday celebrations with causes for which we care.
As a rabbi, the folks I serve come to me for suggestions for charities to contain themselves with. Their distinctive pursuits and causes hold me studying about extra organizations and methods to assist the better world. Whether or not it’s with volunteering or fundraising, all of us have one thing to provide and there are numerous worthy organizations to affix. Generally folks want artistic concepts to get began and I assist folks determine it out.
Meghan Forte: How has your private life, together with your relationship together with your husband, Ben, and your canine, Scout, formed your perspective as a rabbi and educator?
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski: Each rabbi I do know has an all-encompassing job with little or no time for private socializing. My canine, Scout, comes with me to almost all my appointments in per week, whether or not I’m educating, assembly, finding out or making an look for one in all my literary initiatives. I’ve such lengthy days, I deliver frozen pet food with me that thaws over the course of my day and he eats his dinner on the go.
Normally, as a result of being a rabbi is my life, I share my life and am susceptible with the households I serve. They make me cry and I make them cry. They know my hopes and emotions. As a result of I share my struggles and joys with them, they will do the identical with me. Conventional clergy normally keep distance to maintain a sense of authority and gravitas of their communities. I lead with openness and informality. It’s my expertise that this method creates a hotter and extra religious surroundings for all.
My husband is an entrepreneur and leads a really busy life, as properly. Ceaselessly, evenings out with my husband are charitable occasions or one in all my purchasers’ lifecycle occasions. We each get pleasure from an opportunity to decorate up for a celebration, although are equally completely satisfied watching the information or a tv-series on the sofa late at evening. As a result of Ben believes what I do is vital and I really feel equally about his work, we’re understanding of the calls for on our time. I’m extraordinarily fortunate that Ben loves Scout and can also be amenable to Scout accompanying us on each trip – together with our mini-moon (at Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, AZ).
As a younger rabbi who maintains a busy observe, I had little or no time to dedicate to journey and relationships. Now that I’m married, I hope that, with the urging of my husband, I discover house for a extra balanced life.
Amid the realities of our ever-changing world, Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski’s journey epitomizes the significance of following one’s coronary heart and instinct on a deeply private and religious path. By sharing her story, she emphasizes the importance of religion, grit, and openness to alter.
Along with her function as a rabbi, Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski is a personal educator, performer, creator, and entrepreneur. She understands the numerous hats a rabbi wears, serving people from varied walks of life each inside her temple and within the broader group. For the youthful readers, Rabbi Jablonski can also be the creator of a youngsters’s e book titled Dinotsaurus.
Thanks, Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski, for shaping the lives of the subsequent technology together with your religious teachings and serving others with kindness. We admire your willingness to share an intimate glimpse into your journey.
Companies obtainable by Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski’s web site embody Judaic Research and Hebrew Schooling, ceremony officiation, tutoring within the religion (together with conversion tutoring), and the creation of individualized prayer books for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, or household occasions, incorporating private touches.
Jablonski is an alumnus of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day College, New York College’s Tisch College of the Arts, and acquired semicha (rabbinic ordination) from the yeshiva Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk in New York.
Jablonski’s most up-to-date e book, the memoir, Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World, is a compelling learn that shouldn’t be ignored.
Skilled Web site
Contact Type to Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski
Learn: Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World, obtainable on Amazon
Barnes and Noble Hyperlink for Confessions of a Feminine Rabbi: Related Faith in an On-Demand World
Web site for the kids’s e book Dinotsaurus
Hearken to the podcast, Shalom in Your Cellphone , obtainable on Spotify
Rabbi Rebecca Keren Jablonski’s Instagram Profile Tik TokProfile
