I have been an active member of Or Shalom Synagogue since its founding in 1978. Rabbi Hannah Dresner has been Or Shalom's inspiring Spiritual Leader since July 2015. Or Shalom is a creative, egalitarian, and participatory Jewish spiritual community in Vancouver, BC. I am a regular davenen’ (prayer) leader on Shabbat (the Sabbath), the Festivals and the High Holy Days and I teach a monthly Talmud class. 

 

I was ordained as a rabbi by ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. What drew me to ALEPH was their innovative and heart-centered work. This worldwide effort aims to renew Judaism, to reach beyond religious boundaries and institutional structures.

 

I am proud to be a Rabbis Without Borders Fellow. Rabbis Without Borders uses Jewish wisdom as a source of wellbeing for anyone anywhere, expanding the borders of what it means to be a rabbi today.  We share our Torah in pluralistic, innovative ways grounded by a sense of service to all.

 

I am also a member of OHALAH, the Association of Rabbis, Cantors and Rabbinic Pastors for Jewish Renewal helping to bring this meaningful work to metropolitan Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

Before becoming a rabbi, I received my BA (Hon) from the University of Alberta and an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) from the University of British Columbia.  As a lawyer and administrative law judge for thirty years, I specialized in workers’ compensation and administrative law.  Beginning my practice as a workers’ advisor, I subsequently served the people of British Columbia as Vice Chair, Registrar and Tribunal Counsel of the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal and its predecessor Review Board.