Rabbi Rona Shapiro
Rabbi Rona Shapiro began tenure as the spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Jacob in 2013. Prior to that she lived in Cleveland where she served for four years as the rabbi of Congregation Bethaynu and for two years as a rabbi at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation after Bethaynu merged with B’nai Jeshurun. In her work in the pulpit she was known for her outstanding sermons, her caring pastoral presence, and her innovative programing. Before that, she served as Senior Associate of Ma'yan: the Jewish Women's Project in New York (2000-2007) and Executive Director of Berkeley Hillel (1990-2000). Rabbi Shapiro was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1990, among the early women graduates. She has written and published numerous articles, is the founding editor of the website, ritualwell.org, and a graduate of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rabbi Shapiro spent two years studying in Israel at the Pardes Institute prior to her ordination. She received her BA, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, from Harvard University. Rabbi Shapiro's interests include spirituality, ritual, text study, spiritual parenting, hiking, biking, and cooking. She is married to David Franklin and they are parents of two daughters, Noa and Hallel. Rabbi Shapiro can be reached by phone 203-389-2111 x211, or email rabbishapiro@bnaijacob.org. |
Learn more about this prestigious national honor:
Article from The Forward
Article from The Connecticut Jewish Ledger
Rabbi Shapiro's Sermons
A sampling of recent sermons
If I am Not for Myself, Who am I? - 3 Iyyar 5784 Sermon
Pesach Yizkor Sermon 5784- Those We Lost October 7
High Holiday Sermons 2023/5784
Rosh Hashanah Day 1- Is the Torah True?
Rosh Hashanah Day 2- Big Read: Hare With Amber Eyes
Kol Nidre- Freedom vs Commitment, Living Rich Meaningful Lives
Yizkor- Life After Life
High Holiday Sermons 2022 / 5783
Hope - Day 1 Rosh Hashanah
People Love Dead Jews - Day 2 Rosh Hashanah
Both Sides Now - Kol Nidre
Is Life a Game or a Story? - Yom Kippur
High Holiday Sermons 2021 / 5782
Pandemic - Day 1 Rosh Hashanah
Happiness - Day 2 Rosh Hashanah
Who Needs Religious Community? - Kol Nidre
Lessons from a Survivor People - Yom Kippur
Gifts from Beyond the Grave - Shemini Atzeret Yizkor
High Holiday Sermons 2020 / 5781
Finding God in the Pandemic - Day 1 Rosh Hashanah
Mourning our Losses This Year - Yizkor
Who Needs a Synagogue - Kol Nidre
Racism, What We Can and Must Do - Yom Kippur
High Holiday Sermons 2019 / 5780
Telling Your Story - Day 1 Rosh Hashanah
Eterenal Life - Day 2 Rosh Hashanah
High Holiday Sermons 2018 / 5779
Jews and Words - Day 2 Rosh Hashanah
Other Recent Sermons
Real Presence — Art in Vayakhel-Pekudei - March 13, 2021
Vayechi - January 2, 2021
What Lights will you Light this year? - Hanukkah 2021