Our guest this week is Rabbi Debra Orenstein, spiritual leader of Congregation B'nai Israel in Emerson, New Jersey. Rabbi Orenstein received her training at Princeton University (A.B. summa cum laude), University of Judaism (B.H.L.), The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (M.A. and ordination), The Neighbourhood Playhouse, and The Meisner-Carville School (Two-year Program). She was the spiritual leader of Congregation Makom Ohr Shalom in Tarzana, California for 14 years before returning to her home state of New Jersey. A seventh generation rabbi, she is an alumna of the first entering class at The Jewish Theological Seminary to include women. Rabbi Orenstein is also the author or editor of five books, including the award-winning Lifecycles book series.
This Week’s Torah Talk is dedicated to the traditional Passover reading from the book of Exodus. Our discussion focuses, among other things, on the connection between springtime, freedom, and Passover.
