Rabbi Susan Lippe, Rabbi Educator

When Rabbi Susan Elizabeth Lippe was 13, she wanted to save the world. Only many years later did she realize that becoming a rabbi and Jewish educator would be the best path for her.

Education & Experience: Rabbi Lippe earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Vassar College and masters degrees in Jewish Education, Jewish Communal Service, and Hebrew Literature – all from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. She has taught Sunday school students, teachers, and even campers. While in school at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles, she worked in a small congregation in Santa Clarita near Magic Mountain in Southern California . She also taught at Sha’arei Am: The Santa Monica Synagogue and Temple Judea of Tarzana, California . Rabbi Lippe taught a Women’s Torah Study Class at Temple Beth-El in Great Neck, Long Island in New York . She also worked in the adult education department of the Union for Reform Judaism. Since her Rabbinic Ordination in 2000 and throughout her six years as a rabbi-educator at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, California , teaching and learning remain her real passions.

Rabbi Lippe believes in "offering" Judaism rather than "pushing" it. "Not all aspects of Judaism are perfect for everyone, but there is something Jewish that is interesting or enriching for each of us. I want people to enrich people's lives through Judaism rather than forcing people into a mythical one-size-fits-all Judaism," the Rabbi says. "If you learn Judaism, you'll love Judaism," she says, "and all your days will be better."

It's through teaching and story-telling that she has made her mark so far. "I love teaching," she says. “Of course I also love cooking and eating," she notes with a twinkle. "I think I'm a good teacher, but I may be a little demanding. I believe in expecting teachers to make Jewish subjects relevant and memorable," she adds.

"I want kids to love coming to CBI to learn. I don’t want Judaism or Jewish education to be too predictable. They won’t know exactly what to expect, but our students will know to expect something great."