EDUCATION

1980-1990
Independent Rabbinical Studies
Ordination 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-
Psychology 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

2010-2012
Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Jewish Hospice Network, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbinic Intern 

2003-2011
Interfaithways: Interfaith Family Support Network of Greater Philadelphia
Co-Facilitator, Interfaith Shabbat Dinner Programs

2003-2010
Rabbinic Support to Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael
Beth Israel Congregation, Woodbury, NJ 

2006
Staff for Philadelphia Area, March of the Living Tour to Poland and Israel

1994-1996
Jewish Chaplain, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA

1991-1998
Rabbinic Support to Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael
Leyv Ha’Ir Reconstructionist Congregation, Philadelphia, PA

1990
Rabbinical Co-Officiant, High Holy Day Services
Congregation Kehillat Ahavat Hesed, Toronto, ON

1986-1988
Executive Director and Resident Counselor
Benjamin Institute for Community Education and Referral, Toronto, ON
Founded a death awareness education and bereavement program  

1985-1987
Rabbinical Co-Officiant, High Holy Day Services
Jewish Student Federation, York University, Toronto, ON

1985-1986
Jewish Family and Child Service, Toronto, ON
Mental Health Consultant at Shearim Hebrew School  (for Learning Disabilities)

 1985-1986
Toronto Jewish Congress Chaplaincy Program
Volunteer Chaplain, Palliative and Chronic Care, Toronto Grace Hospital 

1984-1985
Palliative Care Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, QC
Volunteer Chaplain, Pastoral Care Team

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”

1978-1979
Goddard 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”

1972-1973-77
Teaching Assistant to Dr. David MIller
Department of Religion, Concordia University
“World Religions”

ADMINISTRATIVE  EXPERIENCE

 2015-2017
Steering Committee, Aleph Alumni Association

2008-2009
Rabbinic Pastor Association of Ohalah, Membership Committee Chair

1990
Jewish Community Relations Council, Philadelphia, PA
Coordinator, Israel Independence Day Celebration 

1980-1982
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

1977
Coordinator, Aquarian Festival
Montreal, QC

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 Programmin
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