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Contact: Renee Young
Hadassah National Public Relations
ryoung@hadassah.org
212.303.8140
Award-winning Teaneck, NJ rabbi/author named as one of America’s “Most Inspiring Rabbis” by The Forward newspaper in 2013.
January 15, 2019 – NEW YORK, NY – Rabbi Rebecca W. Sirbu has been named Director of Member and Unit Services (M&US) for Hadassah The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA), according to Executive Director / CEO Janice Weinman. Rabbi Sirbu’s duties and responsibilities for Hadassah’s M&US will include increasing membership, targeting younger women in particular, overseeing leadership development and training, and delivering increased services to Hadassah chapters across the country.
HWZOA Executive Director / CEO Janice Weinman states, “HWZOA’s centennial celebration this year has brought a renewed sense of purpose to the organization and strengthens our commitment to women’s empowerment and support for the State of Israel. Rabbi Sirbu will lead our efforts and marshal our resources to target, engage and welcome the next generation of Hadassah members.”
Rabbi Sirbu comes to Hadassah directly from her position as founder and director of Rabbis Without Borders at CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, where she was responsible for growing a network of 240 pluralist rabbis and reaching over 2 million people. Sirbu is also the founder of www.RabbiCareers.com, an employment search website for rabbis and their employers. Previously, Sirbu was the director at the Center for Jewish Life and the Metro West Jewish Health and Healing Center at the JCC in West Orange, NJ. Sirbu also held the position of chaplain at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Hadassah M&US Coordinator Kacy Spivack states, “Rabbi Sirbu brings a fresh perspective and exciting new vision to HWZOA’s M&US Division at an extraordinarily exciting time in Hadassah’s history. From member engagement and leadership development to exploring the potential of our professional councils, Rabbi Sirbu brings energy and vitality and a strong sense of purpose to HWZOA’s mission of empowering women and support for the State of Israel.”
Rabbi Sirbu adds “Hadassah’s mission speaks to everything I care most passionately about, women’s empowerment, access to healthcare, and building connections to Judaism and Israel. Using my skills in creating innovative programing, leadership development, and meaningful engagement, I am excited to connect a new generation of women to Hadassah. Given the rise of the new women’s movement in the US, the time is right for Hadassah to grow its network and empower a new generation of women who do!”
Rabbi Sirbu is published in several books, including “I am Here: The Untold Stories of Everyday People” (Story Shelter; 2015); “Faithfully Feminist: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Women on Why They Stay” (White Cloud Press; 2015) and “The Sacred Calling: Forty Years of Women in the Rabbinate” (CCAR Press; 2016).
Rabbi Sirbu received her Rabbinical Ordination and Master of Arts from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) and completed a certificate in Spiritual Entrepreneurship at Columbia University. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vassar College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion from Vassar College. She is also the recipient of the JTS Lillian M. Lowenfeld Prize in Practical Theology and the Abraham Berliner Prize in Jewish History. She was named as one of America’s “Most Inspiring Rabbis” by The Forward newspaper in 2013.
Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With 300,000 members, associates and supporters Hadassah brings Jewish women together to effect change and advocate on critical issues such as medical care, research and women's empowerment – meeting with elected officials on Capitol Hill and locally through its Day in the District Program. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization's two hospitals, the world-renowned trauma center and the leading research facility in Jerusalem, Hadassah supports the delivery of exemplary patient care to over a million people every year. HMO serves without regard to race, religion or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination in 2005 for building “bridges to peace” through equality in medical treatment. For more information, visit www.hadassah.org.