Beth Abraham welcomes Rebecca White to our leadership team! Rebecca began in June as our Communications and Office Manager. She joins Rabbi Jon Spira-Savett and Sarit Tsor Ferreira, Director of Education and Community Engagement.
Rebecca has worked in some of the Boston area’s most interesting and creative Jewish organizations: Gann Academy, Mayyim Hayyim Community Mikveh and Education Center, and the Jewish Community Day School. JCDS has been Rebecca’s most recent professional home, a pluralistic and soulful Jewish day school located in Watertown.
Rebecca’s work at JCDS focused on development and institutional advancement, and her colleagues sang her praises to us for her initiative and her service to colleagues well beyond her official roles. Rebecca says she loved working at JCDS for the ruach (spirit) of the school, the warm and close-knit community, and the environment of collective learning and coming together, especially around Jewish holy days. At Mayyim Hayyim, she loved to hear the singing when a group of people would come together and celebrate as someone made the choice to become Jewish and immerse in the mikveh.
Rebecca’s interest in working in the Jewish community grows out of her own life story. Growing up in Easton, Massachusetts, she attended the Solomon Schechter day school in Stoughton, and her family belonged to Temple Beth Emunah in Brockton. She’s been to Israel twice, with Birthright and on a trip with one of her cousins.
At each stage, Rebecca has had special teachers she remembers: Mr. Waldman in 5th grade, who noticed her talents and seriousness; Rabbi David Werb in Brockton, “a zayde figure, with a voice that was deep and comforting”; Oren Kaunfer, the madrich ruchani (spiritual guide) at JCDS, for his presence, his welcoming and his big-heart.
Among her interests, Rebecca is a runner. She has completed five marathons so far: Chicago, New York, London, and Boston twice! In Boston, she has run to raise money on behalf of two charitable organizations. This fall Rebecca is traveling to Berlin for her next marathon – we wish her much success! Rebecca’s also a fan of “Schitt’s Creek” and musical groups like the Backstreet Boys.
In moving up to Nashua, Rebecca joins her parents and two sisters, as well as an uncle. She is looking forward to helping connect new people to the community, continuing to figure out her own Jewish identity, and making our community more of a home for people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. We are fortunate to have Rebecca on our thought and planning team.
If there’s anything Rebecca can help you with or you just want to introduce yourself, drop a note to rebecca@tbanashua.org or call the main office at (603) 883-8184. Now that Rebecca’s here, the office is typically open from 10-4, and 10-2 on Fridays. She looks forward to meeting you!