rabbisinger@tberiv.org

Rabbi Suzanne Singer

Rabbi Suzanne Singer grew up in New York City where she attended the Lycée Français de New York from elementary through high school; all her classes were conducted in French.  Her home synagogue was New York’s Temple Emanuel, where she was confirmed.  Her mother, from Strasbourg, France, was a survivor of Auschwitz. 

Rabbi Singer was ordained at Hebrew Union College (HUC) in May of 2003.  She also holds three Masters Degrees: a Masters of Arts in Hebrew Letters and a Masters of Arts in Judaic Studies from HUC; and a Masters in Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, where she also earned a Bachelors Degree in Comparative Literature.  During her years at HUC, she won a number of awards for academic excellence including prizes in Bible, Midrash, Ethics and Liturgy.  She also served as student rabbi for the Reform congregation of Victoria, Canada; held an internship at the American Jewish Committee; taught adult education courses in Judaica; and edited several books in the field, including one on adult Jewish education.  Prior to attending HUC, Rabbi Singer spent twenty years as a television producer and programming executive, primarily for national public television (PBS) and primarily in news and public affairs.  As executive producer of a national documentary series, POV, she won two national Emmy awards.  She also co-created and produced a national preschool series, The Puzzle Place, designed to help children respect and appreciate diversity. 

Rabbi Singer served at Temple Sinai of Oakland, CA from 2003-2006.  In that capacity, she led services, taught classes to adults and confirmation students, engaged in pastoral counseling, worked with B’nei Mitzvah students, and conducted life cycle events.  She introduced alternative, creative services on Saturday mornings and was very actively engaged in Social Action, including the launch of a social action conference held in November, 2005.   Since returning to the Los Angeles area, she has served in several capacities: as Director of the Introduction to Judaism Program for the Pacific Southwest Council of the Union for Reform Judaism; as Project Director of two Hebrew Union College programs; and as Chair of a social justice conference held in November, 2006.  Rabbi Singer is married to Jordan Lund, an actor.  She is also the aunt of seven nieces and nephews with whom she is very close.