KOL AMI—Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker and Director of Education Jan Rabinowitch greet parents at the Congregation Kol Ami religious school open house.

Rabinowitch returns to Kol Ami as director of education

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2008-10-15T00:00:00

Congregation Kol Ami, a Vancouver-based congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, has hired Jan Rabinowitch as the director of education.
 
In her position, she will work with Kol Ami’s new spiritual leader, Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker and be responsible for curriculum development and implementation, running the religious and Hebrew school programs and B’nai Mitzvah program training.

“Our goal was to find a candidate who could lead the school in partnership with Rabbi Dunsker’s dynamic style of congregational leadership,” said Cheryl Richards, vice president of Congregation Kol Ami. “After an extensive country wide search, we are fortunate that our ideal candidate was the one closest to us both geographically and ideologically.”

Prior to her current position at CKA, Rabinowitch served as a spiritual leader for Kol Ami, developed and taught adult education classes and created the first parent education program. She also served as director of education at Congregation Beth Israel in Portland, an instructor at The Florence Melton Adult Mini School in Portland and as a member of the Portland Area Jewish Educators. Rabinowitch holds a master’s degree in theological studies from Harvard University.

“The goal of our education programming at Kol Ami is to engage students in the quest for knowledge and understanding, impart Jewish identity and values and provide a sense of connection and opportunities for spiritual growth and development,” said Rabinowitch. “We continue striving to create a strong sense of community in a warm, supportive and enjoyable atmosphere.”

Rabinowitch joins Congregation Kol Ami at an exciting time in its history. Since her arrival in July, Dunsker has worked to increase the number of services, expand the education programs for children and adults and reach out to the Jewish community of Southwest Washington. Dunsker, Rabinowitch and religious school coordinator Lauren Trexler, share a goal of “building the best religious school in the region.”
 
The CKA religious school program has programming for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For additional information about Rabinowitch and the CKA religious school, call 360-896-8088 or visit jewishvancouverusa.org.