Michael has pioneered the use of the mythopoetic intervention strategy for use in traumatized veteran and first-responder populations. His thesis for the Academy for Jewish Religion California is entitled “Jewish Mythopoetics: An Archetypal Examination of Four Jewish Stories with Emphasis on Masculine Initiation.”
For the past 17 years, Bruce has helped thousands of people understand and invest in life insurance. Before entering AJRCA in 2008, Bruce had been a lay-leader at Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin, California for 10 years.
Daniel Eli Friedman received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in Theatre Arts, with a minor in Music and Philosophy. He went on to spend 15 years as a working actor based in New York. Daniel performed in such well-known musicals as Les Miserables, CATS, Forever Plaid, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. After having a spiritual epiphany, Daniel retired from “Show Biz,” and embarked on a career in “Shul Biz.”
Rebeccah has worked in synagogues, camps, and other organizations for over twenty years in various capacities and across the country, including Temple Ahavat Shalom, Hillel at CSUN, Kaiserman Jewish Community Center and Beth Tikvah-Bnei Jeshrun in Philadelphia, Camp Hess Kramer, Camp Isaiah, and Camp Menorah.
Upon ordination, Rabbi Mel Young looks forward to supporting a synagogue in its many roles, engage in Jewish education, and never be
far away from aiding those in need of spiritual comfort.
Rabbi Allison Lawton is a graduate of the Academy for Jewish Religion, California. Rabbi Lawton completed her undergraduate and graduate work at Pepperdine University.
Joshua is a native of New York and a graduate of the University of Southern California, Joshua received a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) and East Asian Studies as well as a Master’s degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures, specializing in pre-modern Korean intellectual history.
Shira Freidlin received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and TV from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She holds a Master of Arts in Jewish Education from the Davidson School of Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Shira began her career in Jewish education at her home shul, B’nai Israel of Rumson,…
Florence is currently an Executive Editor and has been a contributing writer since 2004 for Jlife magazine, an Orange County Jewish publication. She enjoys the opportunity to meet diverse members of the Jewish community.
Avi has served as a hazzan for more than eighteen years. His posts have included Mosaic Law Congregation in Sacramento, Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas, and Congregation Bet Shalom in Tucson, Arizona, where he currently serves.