Chaplain Meagan Leigh Yudell knew at a very young  age that  she  wanted  to serve  those  in need  of emotional  and spiritual  support.   It was the  diagnosis at age fifteen with a rare  congenital brain disease -Arnold Chiari Malformation 1 – that  helped  bring Meagan’s  life mission into clear focus.  During subsequent years of treatment, Meagan realized that  her life’s work would be to become a hospital  Chaplain.

For many years,   Meagan  worked  for Temple  B’nai  Hayim in Sherman   Oaks, California, doing everything from teaching  Religious School to office assistant   to tutoring  B’nai Mitzvah students  to leading  services and assisting  the  Rabbi. In addition, she has worked for other religious institutions and synagogues, including Valley Beth Shalom, Temple Aliyah and American  Jewish  University.

In 1998, Meagan became a silver  medalist Maccabi Olympian for the  women’s   volleyball  team.  In 2008, she  graduated   Cum Laude and received   her  BA in Jewish   Studies  from American  Jewish University.  Meagan   has  served   as the  Jewish   Chaplain Intern  for Providence Tarzana Medical Center as well as Kaiser Permanente  Woodland Hills. Meagan   has  overcome and achieved the impossible.

I am grateful to the AJRCAcommunity for inspiring and encouraging me to achieve  more than I ever thought possible. I would like to give a huge thank you to Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, Rabbi Rochelle Robins, CantorNathan Lam and Cantor Perryne Anker for giving me the Honoris Causa Rav u’Morah degree, making my lifelong dream come true. I would also like to thank my parents, family, friends, professors,  LaurenGoldner, RobinFederman,flea  Friedman,mentors Rabbi Sally 0/ins, Rabbi Sara Berman, Rabbi Beryl Padorr and my doctors for their continued support.

Upon graduation,   Meagan   hopes  to finish her last two  CPE units, become  a Board  Certified Chaplain,  and publish her first book, all while continuing to serve  those  who  need  her most.

Email: meagainfish@gmail.com