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Responding to a Difficult Text – Parashat Ki Tavo

Parashat Ki Tavo challenges us to engage with the threats and rebukes of God. Rabbi Chaya Rowen-Baker offers us a glimpse of how our ancestors responded to the difficult texts, and urges us to use these tools, today, when responding to the challenging words of this week’s Torah portion.

Rabbi Chaya Rowen Baker, Dean, The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary.

Ordained in 2007 by the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary, Rabbi Rowen Baker has served, since her ordination, as the rabbi of Kehillat Ramot-Zion in French Hill, Jerusalem.  Ramot Zion, a flagship Masorti congregation, is home to many Israelis in search of a meaningful connection to Jewish tradition in a rapidly changing world. For the past eight years, she has  served as Coordinator of Practical Rabbinics at SRS.

Much of Rabbi Rowen Baker’s work is done outside the synagogue space, with those not accustomed to synagogue life, so as to make accessible a vibrant Jewish approach and practice which is part of all walks of life.  In 2015 she was the first Masorti rabbi – and the first ever female rabbi – to be invited to teach Torah at the Israeli President’s residence.

Rabbi Rowen Baker holds an MA with Distinction in Talmud and Jewish Thought from The Schechter Institute, and a BA in Jewish History and Archeology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is a fellow at the Honey Foundation for Israel and a member of the Rabbinical Assembly Executive Council.

Rabbi Rowen Baker lives in French Hill, Jerusalem with her husband Etai, their four children and their dog Hummus.

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