Our Rabbi

Rachel Nussbaum is the Rabbi and Executive Director of the Kavana Cooperative, which she co-founded in 2006.  In April, Rachel was named to Newsweek Magazine's list of "America's Top 50 Influential Rabbis."  In addition, she has been a recipient of the prestigious AVI CHAI Fellowship (the Jewish "genius award"), the Joshua Venture Group Fellowship (for Jewish social entrepreneurs), and the Wexner Graduate Fellowship.  Her passions include teaching rabbinic texts, leading spirited and musical prayer services, and challenging people to see Judaism as a catalyst for change.  Rachel was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2004.  She lives in Queen Anne with her husband Noam Pianko and their two adorable daughters, Yona and Mia.

Key Jewish moment: Growing up in an Episcopal school in the South, my Jewish identity developed in dialogue with my non-Jewish peers. I loved inviting friends to our Passover seders, which were always nutty, eclectic, and filled with music, humor and joy.

Why I'm in Kavana: To help others create meaning and find their own paths within Judaism.