Join host Jill Smokler in a captivating conversation with Rabbi Dana Saroken. Delve into the welcoming spirit of the Jewish community and explore faith, gratitude, and the ties that bind us all.

Rabbi Dana Saroken has been a rabbi at Beth El since 2007 when she became our congregation’s first female rabbi. Rabbi Saroken serves in a traditional rabbinic capacity. In addition, she is the Spiritual Director and Founder of The Alvin & Lois Lapidus Center for Healing & Spirituality, also known as The Soul Center. Established in the summer of 2015 as a startup by Beth El Congregation. The mission of The Soul Center is to transform Jewish life in Baltimore through innovative experiences in mindfulness, healing, rejuvenation, and growth by providing innovative ways to stay connected as a community through shared experiences and Jewish learning.

Rabbi Saroken attended rabbinical school at the Jewish Theological Seminary where she was ordained in 2004. While in rabbinical school Rabbi Saroken was a fellow at CLAL the Center for Leadership and Learning, worked for the Wexner Heritage Foundation, led services for an assisted living center and taught at B'nei Jeshurun and Central Synagogues in NYC. Prior to rabbinical school, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Jewish Studies from the University of Arizona’s Honors Program where she was a Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude graduate. Prior to becoming a rabbi, she worked as the Educational Director for “Up With People” (an international organization best known for performing arts, community service and global education) and served as the Director of the Jewish Student Association at Georgetown University.

Rabbi Saroken was chosen to participate in the Kenissa Cohort for Jewish Start-Ups, holds a prestigious Schusterman Fellowship, and was honored as one of Jewish Women’s International’s ten “Women to Watch”. She and her husband, Rafi Rone are blessed to be parenting three teenagers – Gideon, Noa and Maya.

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