EDUCATION
2008-
Academy for Jewish Religion, Riverdale, NY
Program of Rabbinical Ordination
1977-1986
Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology
California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, Ca.
DISSERTATION:
“Judaism’s Contribution to the Psychology of Death & Dying”
1980-1990
Independent Rabbinical Studies
Rabbinic Pastor Ordination from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
Aleph – Alliance for Jewish Renewal, Philadephia, Pa.
1972-1975
Master of Arts, History and Philosophy of Religion
Concordia University, Montreal, Que.
RESEARCH STUDY: “History of Jewish Education in Quebec”
1968-1972
Bachelor of Arts, (Honors, with distinction), History and Philosophy of Religion
Sir George Williams University, Montreal, Que.
Boyd Sinyard Prize in Religion, Graduating Student with Highest Standing
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Spring 2011
Retreat for Emerging Jewish and Muslim Leaders
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
2002-2003
Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Training, Elat Chayyim Retreat Center
1997-2000
Mystery School with Dr. Jean Houston
Program of Mythology, Spirituality and Consciousness Studies
Spring 1995
“Jewish-Muslim Dialogue” – Prof. Mahmoud Ayoub and Rabbi Leila Berner
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, Pa.
Spring 1995
“How to Engage People in the Psychodrama of Torah”, with Dr. Peter Pitzele
Fifty Hour Training Intensive for Rabbis and Educators
Aleph- Alliance for Jewish Renewal
1989
“Jewish-Christian Dialogue”, Hartmann Institute, Jerusalem
1988-1989
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, One Year Program, Jerusalem
RECENT EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
2012-
Founding Director
DA’AT Institute – Death Awareness, Advocacy and Training
Elkins Park, PA
2010-2012
Rabbinic Intern
Jewish Hospice Network of
Jewish Family and Children’s Service
Melrose Park, PA
2007-
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Jewish Studies
Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.
“Jewish Mysticism: History and Mystery”
2006
Mental Health Counselor and Ritual Facilitator
March of the Living Tour to Poland and Israel
1991-date
Private Practice as Transpersonal Psychotherapist
Mount Airy Counseling Center, Philasdelphia, Pa.
1999-date
Spiritual Director
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, Pa.
2001-2002
Adjunct Professor, “Religion and Psychology”
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, Pa.
1990-1994
1996-date
Adjunct Professor, Department of Religion
LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pa.
1994-1996
Assistant Professor, Department of Religion
LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pa.
1996
Adjunct Professor, “Pastoral Counseling: Death and Dying”
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, Pa.
1980-date
Freelance Resource Lecturer/Professional Development Consultant
Workshops/Classes on Death Awareness Education and Jewish Spirituality
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
COUNSELING & CHAPLAINCY EXPERIENCE:
1994-1996
Jewish Chaplain, La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pa.
1995-1996
Counselor, Academic Enrichment Program
La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pa.
1986-1988
Benjamin Institute for Community Education and Referral, Toronto, Ont.
Executive Director
RESPONSIBILITIES: Founding a death awareness education and bereavement support program; individual, family and group counseling; writing educational resources; administration; staff management; budget development; public relations; community advocacy; teaching, etc.
1985-1986
Jewish Family and Child Service, Mental Health Consultant
Shearim Hebrew School (for Learning Disabilities), Toronto, Ont.
1985-1986
Toronto Jewish Congress Chaplaincy Program
Volunteer Chaplain, Palliative and Chronic Care, Toronto Grace Hospital
1984-1985
Palliative Care Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec
Volunteer Member of Pastoral Care Team
1982-1985
Private Practice as Transpersonal Psychotherapist, Montreal, Que.
1978-1979
Integral Counseling Center, San Francisco, Ca.
Supervised Counseling Internship
OTHER TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
1990-1992
Gratz College, Adjunct Professor, Division of Continuing Education
“Psychology of Death and the Afterlife in Judaism”
1982-1983
Dawson College, Dept. of Humanities (Montreal, Que.)
Instructor, “The Human Encounter with Death”
1979-1980
Midrasha High School (Berkeley, Ca.)
“Jewish History”; “Bible & Archaeology”; “Hebrew”; “Death & Judaism”
1976-77
Marianopolis College (Montreal, Que.), Department of Religion
“Psychology of C.G. Jung” “Spirituality: East-West” ”
1972-1973
Sir George Williams University, Department of Religion
Teaching Assistantship, “Religions of the World”
RABBINIC/LITURGICAL EXPERIENCE:
1990
Congregation Kehillat Ahavat Hesed, Toronto, Ont.
Rabbinical Co-Officiant, High Holy Day Services
1985-1987
Jewish Student Federation, York University, Toronto, Ont.
Rabbinical Co-Officiant, High Holy Day Services
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
1979-1980
Live Oak Institute, Oakland, Ca.
Research Assistant – Project on Holistic Health for the Elderly
1978-1980
California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, Ca.
Research Assistant, “Kern Foundation Theosophical Studies Project”
(Application of spiritual perspectives in counseling)
1976-1977
Douglas Psychiatric Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Research Assistant to Dr. N.P.V. Nair, Director of Research
“Neurophysiology of Meditation and Altered States of Consciousness”
1973-1975
Concordia University, Department of Religion, Montreal, Que.
Research Assistant “A Psycho-Sociological Study of New Religious Movements in Montreal”
ADMINSTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:
2008-2009 Rabbinic Pastor Association of Ohalah, Membership Committee Chair
1990
Jewish Community Relations Council, Philadelphia, Pa.
Coordinator, Israel Independence Day Celebration
1980-1982
B’nai Or Religious Fellowship, Philadelphia, Pa.
Executive Director/Secretary to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi
1979-1980
Aquarian Minyan of Berkeley, Coordinator
1978-1979
Integral Counseling Center, San Francisco, Ca.,
Coordinator
1977-1979
California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, Ca. Asst.
Registrar, Public Relations Director
1975-1977
C.G. Jung Society of Montreal, Founding Chairman
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
2011
Recipient of Rabbi Chana Timoner Creative Liturgy Award
Association of Rabbis and Cantors for “Seventh Night of Passover – Shvi’i Pesach – Ritual Crossing of the Red Sea: A Night of Study and Celebration”
2009-2010
Rabbis Without Borders Fellowship, CLAL, New York, NY
1989-1991
Affiliated Research Scholar
Religion Department, Temple University
1988
William Haber Award for Excellence in Programming
for Benjamin Institute Program – “Death Awareness Week”
1985
Grant for Doctoral Dissertation Research
Gamma Rho Foundation, Montreal, Que.
1983-1984
Grant for Doctoral Dissertation Research
Emet Foundation, San Rafael, Ca.
1982
Grant for Doctoral Dissertation Research
Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation, Montreal, Que.
1982
Kern Foundation Fellowship for Dissertation Research
At: The Krotona Institute of Theosophy, Ojai, Ca.
1974
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Fellow
All-India Cultural Program of Study and Travel in India
1973
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Fellow
All-India Cultural Program at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
1972
Boyd Sinyard Prize in Religion for Graduating Student with
Highest Standing – Sir George Williams University, Montreal, Que.