A N D R E W O B E R S T E I N
Education
Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, NY
Pursuing Rabbinic Ordination – May 2021
Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature – May 2020
Thesis Title: “Welcome to Falsettoland: The Intersection of Jewish and Queer Identity in Late 20th Century American Theater”
Emerson College, Boston, MA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater – May 2009
Cum Laude / Honors Program (4 years) / Iwasaki Scholar
Jewish Professional Experience
Temple Israel of Boston, Boston, MA — Rabbinic Intern (June 2020 - Present)
Provided a warm, welcoming presence to a large, intergenerational community through ritual, learning experiences, and relationship building
Collaborated on generating and curating a self-guided, virtual, multi-media alternative high holy day experience
Facilitated small-group learning and prayer experiences
Developed curriculum and taught 8-week course on Jewish spiritual practice
Taught a wide spectrum of learners through a variety of lenses including “A Taste of Judaism” and Shabbat Torah study
Initiated post-Havdalah mindfulness meditation sessions
Columbia/Barnard Hillel, NY, NY — Rabbinic Intern (August 2018 - May 2020)
Served as primary rabbinic figure for Reform Jewish students at Columbia University and Barnard College
Developed and led all Reform High Holy Day services
Supervised board of Reform student leaders, providing regular spiritual guidance, pastoral care, and mentorship
Facilitated Jewish connections on campus through regular worship and learning opportunities
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA — Spiritual Care Intern (June - August 2019)
Provided pastoral care to patients, families, and staff of all faith traditions
Served as primary chaplain presence for spine and neurology units
Led Shabbat services in the hospital chapel, broadcast to patient rooms
Collaborated with multi-faith chaplaincy team to provide patients and families a non-anxious, non-judgmental presence in times of distress
Fulfilled requirements for one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
Jewish Community Project, NY, NY — B’nai Mitzvah Tutor (September 2018 – May 2019)
Prepared students in sixth and seventh grades for their B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies
Facilitated one-on-one exploration of Torah, liturgy, and Hebrew
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, NY, NY — Human Rights Fellow / Community Organizing Intern (June 2018 – August 2018)
Organized LGBTQ community of the South Bronx through placement at The Bronx Defenders Community Organizing Project
Fostered relationships between The Bronx Defenders and local organizations working on behalf of LGBTQ Bronx Residents
Studied Human Rights through the lens of Jewish text and tradition, alongside cohort of 5 interdenominational rabbinical students
Temple Shaaray Tefila, NY, NY — Religious School Teacher (September 2017 – May 2018)
Taught Fourth Grade students at a large Manhattan congregation
Specialized in Israel Studies and Hebrew Language
Beth Am, The People’s Temple, NY, NY — Student Rabbi, High Holy Days (September – October 2017)
Served as Student Rabbi of a progressive, egalitarian congregation for the High Holy Days
Led all services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, delivered all sermons, and facilitated Torah study
URJ Six Points Sci-Tech Academy, Byfield, MA — Director of Jewish Life (June – August 2017)
Oversaw all Judaic aspects of a Jewish science camp for children 10-16 years of age
Created and led all Shabbat services and Jewish education programs
Directly supervised Head Songleader, guiding Jewish content of all camp music
Served as Liaison for all Faculty Clergy, ensuring integration of Judaic content into all science curricula
Worked as core member of Program Team and Sci-Tech Leadership Team, partnering with Camp Director to ensure success of all camp programs and operations
Temple Israel of Boston, Boston, MA — Coordinator for Social Justice and Young Adult Engagement (June 2014 – May 2016)
Developed and executed programming for the “Riverway Project,” connecting over 1,000 young adults annually to Judaism and each other
Managed legislative advocacy for the synagogue through a grassroots community organizing initiative, engaging members in a variety of social justice campaigns
Taught award-winning course for high school students on political lobbying, Jewish justice history, and community organizing
Coordinated monthly Shabbat program for 300 young adults and annual High Holy Day services for 550 young adults
Collaborated with Interfaith leaders and community organizations through Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) to develop integrated faith-based social justice programming
Activated lay leadership through supervision of the Riverway Project and Ohel Tzedek Leadership Teams
Operated “TI Tent Talks,” a year-long conversation campaign, engaging 380 congregants in 62 house meetings to identify internal and external areas of interest and concern
92nd Street Y, New York, NY — Program Director, “Passport NYC” (April 2011 – August 2011)
Planned and coordinated (150) daily afternoon excursions, workshops, and speakers for 5 specialty programs at a residential, urban Jewish summer camp for teenagers
Organized weekly social justice/direct service projects
Collaborated with Director of Jewish Education to develop cooperative Jewish/Arts programming
Supervised Office Administrator
Awards and Fellowships
Wexner Graduate Fellowship, Class 29
ARZA HUC-JIR Fellowship Inaugural Cohort of the Association of Reform Zionists of America – Hebrew Union College Fellowship
AIPAC Lefell Fellowship
Shalom Hartman Institute / LimmudNY Rabbinic Student Fellowship
Chai in the Hub Award, Combined Jewish Philanthropies (2016)
o Honored as one of the top 18 most influential Jewish leaders under 45 years old in Greater Boston
Messinger Merit Scholarship (Full-Tuition)
Julius Nicholas Baumgarten Memorial Endowed Scholarship (3 years)
Paul Ginsberg Memorial Prize in Jewish History
Marvin Gimprich Prize in Hebrew
Emanuel Green Prize for Proficiency in Midrash and Hebrew
Elisa Brickner Memorial Prize for General Excellence
Rabbi Jack Stern & Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman Prize in Liturgy
Additional Skills / Experience
Professional Singer and Actor (14 years experience)
Performed in a wide variety of professional plays, musicals, and television commercials in cities across the United States
Former member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union representing American actors and stage managers in the theatre
Co-Chair of “Eser” through Hebrew College, Newton MA (2013-2016)
Led multiple groups of young adults in exploring modern and ancient Jewish texts
Co-Chaired the Board of a vibrant young adult Jewish learning series in Greater Boston
Trained Facilitator, “Encounter” – Jerusalem (2016-2017)
Facilitated challenging group conversations on trips for emerging Jewish leaders visiting Palestinian communities in the West Bank
References will be provided upon request.
