RENCONTRE

Deborah Niederman

I became a Jewish educator because I was inspired by my mother telling me that she CHOSE Judaism for our family. It was instilled in me from an early age that being Jewish was a special gift; it gave us a unique lens through which to view the world and a special responsibility to make the world a better place. As an educator, this continues to inspire me to help learners of all ages use our sacred texts and traditions to navigate the world. My career in Jewish education has included leading congregational schools, serving as a congregational consultant, writing curriculum, creating professional development, leading research and facilitating leadership development.

Throughout my career I have focused on finding the joy in Judaism. I began my own Jewish studies with an undergraduate degree in Jewish and Near Eastern Studies from Washington University in St Louis, then a Master's Degree in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR. My favorite subjects to explore of late have been joy and wonder, which are core values at Temple Shalom of Dallas, the congregation where I serve as Director of Education. When I'm not working, I can be found baking, walking, reading or doing Pilates.