Rabbi
Rabbi Debra Orenstein comes to Congregation Bnai
Israel after 18 years in Los Angeles. There, she was an instructor at
the American Jewish University (formerly University of Judaism), where
she taught in the rabbinical, graduate school, undergraduate,
conversion, Elderhostel, and continuing education programs. She served
as spiritual leader of Makom Ohr Shalom, as well as a teacher and
scholar-in-residence across North America, regularly speaking at
synagogues, universities, and conventions.
She received her
training at Princeton University (A.B. summa cum laude), University of
Judaism (B.H.L.), The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (M.A. and
ordination), The Neighborhood Playhouse, and The Meisner-Carville School
(Two-year Program). She completed an internship in pastoral psychiatry
at The Jewish Theological Seminary, as well as mediation, meditation,
marketing, administrative, and new media trainings for rabbis.
Rabbi
Orenstein is the author or editor of five books, including the
award-winning Lifecycles book series: Lifecycles 1: Jewish Women on
Life Passages and Personal Milestones, Lifecycles 2: Jewish Women on
Biblical Themes in Contemporary Life, and the forthcoming Lifecycles
3: Jewish Women on Holy Days and Communal Celebrations. She
co-authored From Generation to Generation, a collection of
sermons and Bible commentaries, with her grandfather, Rabbi Israel
Mowshowitz. She has also written essays for The Women's Prophets
Commentary (2004), Etz Hayim Humash (2001), and The
Tallit (forthcoming), among others. She has written 30 columns for The
(Los Angeles) Jewish Journal.
A frequent guest on radio and television, Rabbi Orenstein has appeared on dozens of media outlets, including as a repeat guest on WOR Radio, New York; Jewish Television Network; Good Day LA (Fox Television); and KABC Radio, Los Angeles. She also "worked her way through rabbinical school" as an actress and has appeared in a handful of films and numerous stage productions.
Debra's rabbinate represents both the inherited tradition and its flexibility in every age. A seventh generation rabbi, she is also an alumna of the first entering class at The Jewish Theological Seminary to include women. Her parents are Rabbi Jehiel and Sylvia Orenstein of South Orange, NJ. She is glad to be returning to the Garden State with her Californian husband, Craig, and their children, Emmett and Hannah Mathilda.
