Rabbi Adrianne Pasternak

Jewish educator, birth & postpartum doula, and life cycles rabbi with over 20 years of experience in educational leadership

My Journey

I began my career in the early childhood classroom as a teacher and then assistant director before earning her Master’s degree in education. I served for 13 years as a Director of Education, directing both a supplemental religious school and early childhood center. Adrianne is widely known for her innovative and creative experiential curricula and outside-the-box programming for students ages 18 months through 12th grade and their families. She also facilitates adult education, art classes, and family retreats. Adrianne serves as an Outdoor Classroom consultant and teaches school administrators how to grow their communities, build strong long-term relationships and optimize learning potential.

In 2020 the world changed, and Adrianne welcomed this opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills by becoming a certified birth and postpartum doula. She now helps expectant parents prepare for birth and beyond, calling on her three decades of experience as an educator and caregiver to nurture new families. 

As a spiritual leader, Rabbi Adrianne officiates life cycle events and creative rituals grounded in Jewish tradition, provides pastoral care, and leads health and wellness workshops. She fosters strong relationships and helps others renew and reinvigorate their connection to Judaism in personal and meaningful ways.

Education, Training, and Professional Service

Rabbi Adrianne holds Bachelor’s degrees in Jewish Studies, and Hebrew Literature, and a Master’s degree in Education (MaED) from  American Jewish University and received smicha (rabbinic ordination) from ALEPH in 2022. She is a certified birth and postpartum doula.

Rabbi Adrianne served for two years as co-chair of the Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Education (BJE) Principal’s Council and was elected to the board of the Jewish Educators Assembly where she served as a trustee for over 5 years. She is a graduate of the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI), was a 2013 PresenTenseLA Fellow, and a member of the 2019-2020 cohort of the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI). She also holds teaching certificates from Moving Traditions, Facing History and Ourselves, and Rhythm and Ruach.

Personal

Rabbi Adrianne is passionate about creating loving and inclusive communities, crafting, spending time in nature, and most of all, being a supportive partner to her husband, Avi and loving mother to her four children Ben (28), Sadie (27), Martin (17) and Jonah (13).