EDUCATION
1980-1990 Independent Rabbinical StudiesOrdination from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi as Rabbinic Pastor 1988-1989 Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, Israel One Year Intensive of Jewish Learning 1977-1986 Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA DISSERTATION: “Judaism’s Contribution to the Psychology of Death and Dying” 1972-1975 Master of Arts, History and Philosophy of Religion /Jewish Studies Concordia University, Montreal, QC RESEARCH STUDY: “History of Jewish Education in Quebec” 1968-1972 Bachelor of Arts, (Honours, with distinction), History and Philosophy of Religion /Jewish Studies Sir George Williams University, Montreal, QC Recipient of Boyd Sinyard Prize in Religion, Graduating Student w/ Highest Standing
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
2008-2012
Academy for Jewish Religion, Yonkers, NY
Advanced Rabbinical Training
Spring 2011
Retreat for Emerging Jewish and Muslim Leaders
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
1997-2000
XIVth, XVth, XVIth, XVIIth 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
Graduate Course at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (Audit)
Spring 1995
“Bibliodrama Training Intensive”, Dr. Peter Pitzele, Alliance for Jewish Renewal
Summer 1989
“Jewish-Christian Dialogue”, Hartmann Institute, Jerusalem
RECENT EMPLOYMENT
2016-2017Psychology Department, Bryn Athyn College, Bryn Athyn, PA
Adjunct Professor
Courses in Death and Dying
2015-
Professor of Jewish Spirituality, D. Min. Program in Jewish Spirituality
Graduate Theological Foundation, Mishawaka, IN
2012-
DA’AT INSTITUTE – Death Awareness, Advocacy and Training
Founding Director
2007-2014 Jewish Studies Program/Religion Department, Temple University, Adjunct Associate Professor Courses in Jewish Mysticism; Judaism; Death and Dying; Religion in the World 1990- LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA Adjunct Professor, Department of Religion Courses in Psychology of Religion; Death & Dying; Judaism; World Religions 1999-2009 Spiritual Director Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, PA 1991- Private Practice as Transpersonal Psychotherapist and Spiritual Director Mount Airy Counseling Center, Philadelphia, PA 1990- Freelance Rabbinic Lifecycle Ritual Officiant 1980- Freelance Resource Lecturer/Professional Development Consultant Workshops and Classes on Jewish Spirituality & Death Awareness Education
RABBINIC, LITURGICAL AND CHAPLAINCY EXPERIENCE
2010-2012Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Jewish Hospice Network
Rabbinic Intern
2003-2011
Interfaithways: Interfaith Family Support Network of Greater Philadelphia
Co-Facilitator, Interfaith Shabbat Dinner Programs
ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
2001-2002
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, PA
Adjunct Professor, “Religion and Psychology”
1994-1996
LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA Assistant Professor (*), Department of Religion;
Courses in: Psychology and Religion, Death and Dying, Judaism, World Religions
(*) Full-time, non-tenure track status, terminated due to financial cutbacks
1996
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, PA
Adjunct Professor, “Pastoral Counseling: The Human Encounter with Death”
1990-1992
Gratz College, Adjunct Professor, Division of Continuing Education
Courses: “Psychology of Death and the Afterlife in Judaism”
1982-1983
Dawson College, Dept. of Humanities, Montreal, QC
Instructor, “The Human Encounter with Death” (4 sections)
1979-1980
Midrasha High School, Berkeley, CA
“Jewish History”; “Bible & Archaeology”; “Hebrew”; “Death & Judaism”
1978-1979Goddard College, Plainfield, VT
External Faculty Advisor, Human Studies Center 1976-77
Marianopolis College, Religion Dept, Montreal, QC
“Psychology of C.G. Jung” “Spirituality: East-West”
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
2015-2017Steering Committee, Aleph Alumni Association 2013-
Co-Convener, Philadelphia Death Café2008-2009 Rabbinic Pastor Association of Ohalah, Membership Committee Chair 1990 Jewish Community Relations Council, Philadelphia, PA Coordinator, Israel Independence Day Celebration 1980-1981 B’nai Or Religious Fellowship, Philadelphia, PA Executive Director/Secretary to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi 1978-1979 Integral Counseling Center, San Francisco, CA Coordinator 1977-1979 California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA Assistant 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 Award 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, QC 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, QC 1982 Kern Foundation Fellowship for Dissertation Research At the Krotona Institute of Theosophy, Ojai, CA 1973-1975
Department of Religion
Concordia University, Montreal, QC
M.A. Fellowship, Study of New Religious and Para-Religious Movements
in the Greater Montreal Area
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, ON 1972 Boyd Sinyard Prize in Religion for Graduating Student with Highest Standing – Sir George Williams University, Montreal, QC