Shira (she/her), a proud native of Bethesda, Md., grew up immersed in the vibrant community of Ohr Kodesh Congregation. Her passion for history took root early, eventually leading her to earn a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in medieval and early modern studies from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Fascinated by sacred spaces and the ways people move through the world through architecture, she developed a particular focus on architectural history.
Throughout her time at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Shira has engaged with diverse Jewish communities, always centering her work on fostering deep connections. She has guided students at Hillel of West Chester University, enriched the lives of residents at Lions Gate, an assisted-living facility in Voorhees, N.J., and most recently, stepped into new spiritual terrain as a chaplain intern at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa., providing multifaith spiritual care.
Shira relocated to St. Louis to serve as the rabbinic intern for Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community and will become their rabbi upon graduation. She leads services that weave together tradition and innovation, offers compassionate pastoral care and supports congregants on their Jewish journeys. Dedicated to deepening spiritual connections, facilitating learning and building meaningful relationships, she strives to create a space where everyone can explore and celebrate their Jewish identity.
One of Shira’s greatest joys is chanting Torah, where she finds her spiritual voice and helps others connect to the living history of our tradition. She is excited to continue her journey of bringing people into a meaningful relationship with both their spiritual heritage and the sacred texts that shape it.
She is profoundly grateful for her family — Ida, Maarten and Becca — whose unwavering support and belief in her have sustained her every step of the way. Shira offers gratitude to all the mentors, guides, teachers, hevrutahs, friends and family that have created spaces for learning and growing on this journey.
כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד בְּפִ֥יךָ וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ׃
“No, the thing [Torah] is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.”
— Deuteronomy 30:14
עֵץ־חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ וְֽתֹמְכֶיהָ מְאֻשָּֽׁר׃
“She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and whoever holds on to her is happy.”
— Proverbs 3:18
