Pronouns: she / her
What people call me: Rabbi Miriam
Organization: Am Kolel
Denomination: Reform
Where was I ordained? Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Where am I located? DC and Maryland
What do I love most about my work? I love helping Jews find the parts of the tradition that speak to them. Whether it’s Torah, God, prayer, food, Israel, history, ritual, community, or anything else, I just want to help people find their Jewish joys.
How is Judaism valuable in my life? I owe so much to Judaism. It has given me my best friends, some of my best memories, and provided ways to help me cope with the tough times. Everything I do is Jewish, even things that are deeply secular.
Why did I decide to become a rabbi? I wanted to be a therapist since the 2nd grade. When I studied abroad in Spain my junior year of college, I was the only Jew around for miles. That had never been my experience. I went to Jewish day school, Jewish summer camp for 15 years, and was deeply involved with Hillel and Chabad. And for the first time, I realized how much I needed Judaism, instead of just living a passive Jewish life. One Shabbat I traveled by myself to the Chabad of Madrid (the only Jewish community I could find online) and felt so whole on the train ride back. I realized I could either continue down the path to becoming a therapist and make Judaism my entire personal life, or combine my passions of therapy and Judaism and be a rabbi. So I chose the latter and never looked back!
What services do I offer? Weddings/Other Lifecycle Events, LGBTQIA Counseling, Conversions, Holiday Services, Counseling, Group Learning, 1:1 Learning Opportunities, Shabbat Services, Adult B’nai Mitzvah, Interfaith Marriage
For more information, email me, visit my website, or find me on Instagram at @rabbimiriam18!
