RENCONTRE

Rabbi Brett Kopin

Hello! I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2013, where I majored in English Literature and Creative Writing. I received Rabbinic Ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2021. During the day I teach 12th Grade Jewish Thought at Milken Community School, and at night I serve as the Senior Jewish Educator and Rebbetzman of Base LA, a home-based community for Jews in their 20's and 30's.

I spent a large part of my 20’s hiking and camping in national parks, exploring the United States, and learning in diverse communities throughout the Jewish world, including ultra-orthodox yeshivot, Tzfat, and SVARA. When it comes to Jewish learning, I am particularly passionate about exploring literary structure and numerological patterns in the Torah. I also love the vast landscape of rabbinic legends, midrashim, mysticism and mythology, and integrating art, philosophy and literature into the mix!

I also love a good project! I am the co-screenwriter of the animated film "The Tattooed Torah," the feature-length documentary "For The Living," and co-authored a book with Dr. Ron Wolfson called "Creating Sacred Communities." This year I am working on launching a new yeshiva program for LA Jews called The Six11 Project. In my spare time, you can find me making ice cream, playing with my daughter Dahlia, writing, gardening, and laughing with my wife.