Shalom, my name is Bena KaneGraber. I live in Washingtonville N.Y., located in the Lower Hudson Valley.

I am a full-time rabbinic student of the Academy for Jewish Religion in Yonkers, New York, pursuing rabbinic ordination and master’s degree. My passions include: my family, gardening, baking, music, painting, leading/studying/teaching prayer, leyning/studying/teaching Torah, connecting with others, learning, and tutoring.

Until fairly recently, I taught for four different Jewish organizations concurrently, engaged in part-time shul work, served as High Holiday and Shabbat Morning Cantor, attended school part-time, and tutored privately; two years ago, I began chaplaincy work. Pre-pandemic I served as covering rabbi in single clergy shuls; through modern technology, I can continue to tutor and do my weekly chaplaincy work.

Time is a treasured gift: I had already worked out my Fall study/course schedule—a full list of tasks in chart form! Could I afford to add yet another task… the hook in Shelli’s email that drew me in: the participating audience is those “who are curious about America’s changing relationship with religion and want to be introduced to innovation tools in the context of religion and spirituality.” Full disclosure, Shelli had me at: “Exploration…successfully lead innovative change in faith-based organizations.”

I am looking forward to this exploration process and engaging with you,
Bena