Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz
rgurevitz@congregationbnaiisrael.org
Rachel comes to the American rabbinate by a somewhat unconventional route. Born, raised and educated in London, England, Dr. Gurevitz received her BS and PhD from University College London before entering rabbinic school at the Leo Baeck College. In 2003 she transferred to Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York from where she was ordained in May 2006. She was called to the pulpit at B’nai Israel in July 2006.
As well as pursuing her academic studies, for three years she gained worship, educational and pastoral experience by serving a student pulpit in Winter Haven, Florida. In addition she worked with teenage leaders of NFTY as Program Director of URJ Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York and served as a member of the management team and prayer leader at Elat Chayyim, a transdenominational retreat center in upstate New York.
Rachel received numerous prizes and awards while in rabbinic school including ones “for the most deserving student” and “for liturgy and spirituality.” She has done considerable work in the field of Social and Environmental Justice and has published several papers in the field of Ethics and Environmental education.
Iyar/Sivan 5768  / |
From The Rabbi's Study |
May 2008 |
Why I’m proud of BIFTY |
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There are a lot of opportunities and activities available for high school students in Fairfield County – sports teams, drama clubs and theatre opportunities, service opportunities, and several different kinds of youth groups, both Jewish and non-Jewish. In a cultural environment where teens are so pressured in so many ways, it is vitally important to have a safe space just to hang with friends, to play, and to have fun. In recent months I’ve had several occasions to be reminded why our temple youth group, BIFTY – a member of the Reform movement’s National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) – is a particularly wonderful place for high school youth of Congregation B'nai Israel to be. First, when I stop by a BIFTY program on a Thursday evening at the temple, I am struck by what a nice group of people they are! I remember attempting to go to a youth group in London a couple of times as a young, shy teen. It was a miserable experience and a very difficult place to make new friends. What a contrast with the warmth and inclusive spirit that I see among our teens in the BIFTY lounge. Programs and activities are aimed at getting everyone involved. Second, this is a youth group that is led by our youth, running programs that are designed by our youth. There are great opportunities both in our local group, and for those who become actively involved in our Regional leadership institutes and conclavettes, to develop a wide range of social, management and leadership skills. The fact that these programs are led by the members of BIFTY also feeds back into my first point – the encouragement and support of other youth who want to see their friends running a great evening program is part of what makes the culture of both BIFTY and NFTY so wonderfully affirming for our youth. |
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Third, as I’ve recently been looking at mission statements and ethics codes of other kinds of youth movements here in the USA, I am struck by how NFTY not only reflects and reinforces the values of the Reform movement on paper, but ensures that all those who participate in their programs are encouraged to live up to these ethical standards in everything that they do. The principle that we are all made b’tzelem Elohim- in the image of God – is the underlying value that guides not only how our youth respond to each other, but also how they are encouraged to value their own sense of individuality, respect for their bodies, and the innate holiness of their own selves. There are many other kinds of youth clubs that either do not state these kinds of values explicitly, or do not see it as their place to foster this kind of culture as part of their activities. Just take a look at www.nfty.org and read the NFTY goals and values page, or search some of the resolutions that NFTY has passed in recent years, and you will be proud of our Reform youth movement too. This year BIFTY has been designing their new lounge space – it should be fully equipped with furnishings, technology, and décor by June. With ongoing guidance from our BIFTY advisor, Wendy Cohenuram, I look forward to seeing BIFTY continue to be strengthened by more of our youth being a part of this great gateway into Jewish social life, leadership opportunities, social justice work and Reform Jewish values living in an environment that is fun-filled. Don’t miss out! Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz |
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