Emily Stern
My Journey
I think my soul always knew I was meant to be a rabbi, even when my conscious self wasn’t sure. But there were other people who knew. Like the cantor at my Reform temple when I was a child. He saw my essence as a spiritual person, and told me that’s what I would become.
When I thought about it, it did feel natural. I can only describe it as feeling easy on my soul. I never doubted, for instance, the existence of God, despite the cultural American pull towards agnosticism. It was Jewish music that spoke to me most, and still does. Singing in the choir, and singing in general, I could simply be myself. I didn’t have to try, and all the worries of the world disappeared.
My life began to change drastically as a young adult in my twenties. Through my study of the arts, I discovered that art and spirituality could be linked. I longed to deepen my spiritual understanding, but also my connection to Judaism. That’s when I discovered Jewish Renewal, and that Judaism could be included in both my art and spiritual practice. Eventually, I made it to Jerusalem where I immersed myself in study at an Orthodox seminary. That was when I realized that I wanted to live a life completely engaged with Judaism as a spiritual path.
Upon my return to the States, I finally entered rabbinical school. Though I did not continue in the vein of Orthodoxy, I held onto some fascination with rabbinic Judaism. I felt an even stronger draw to the Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah.
One of the most wonderful things I discovered in rabbinical school was my love of pastoral care and chaplaincy. Learning to simply be present for another in their suffering and pain is the most meaningful thing we can do for each other. With some crossover, I knew I had to become a Mashpi’ah, a Jewish Spiritual Director.
The arts are still central to my Jewish practice and offerings as the spiritual leader of a Reconstructionist synagogue in Maryland. I am drawn to write Jewish music and poetry that makes Jewish prayer accessible to everyone. For me, poetry about Judaism and its practices are vehicles to the internal life of a person. It is in the depths of our personal experience and imagination where we meet Judaism through its prayers, songs, and ritual objects. (You can find my work on Youtube @EmilySternMusic or my website www.emilystern.og)
Education, Training, and Professional Experience:
Presently serving as rabbi for Kol HaLev in Maryland
Rabbinic Ordination, Jan. 2024
Jewish Spiritual Companionship/Hashpa’ah Ordination, Jan. 2023 (Click here for explanation of Spiritual Companionship)
Johns Hopkins Chaplaincy Program, 2021
Nishmat in Jerusalem, 2011
The Artist’s Way; Drisha Arts Fellowship, 2009
NYU Tisch School of the Arts, BFA in Drama, 2005