RENCONTRE

Tony J. Westbrook, Jr.

Hi learners,

I’m Tony J. Westbrook, Jr. (he/him). I’m an award winning Jewish African-American, activist, Jewish educator, community leader, and occasional Jewish social media influencer. I’ve had an interesting career ranging from working in casinos to the Hillel world to working for a national Jewish organization. I earned my B.A. in Communication Studies from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO, and graduated from the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem with certificates in Judaic Studies and in Experiential Jewish Education. In 2021, I was the recipient of the Covenant Foundation’s 2021 Pomegranate Prize for emerging leaders in the field of Jewish education.

As someone who came into the world of Jewish learning later in my life, my approach to Torah learning is influenced by my lived experiences. I strive to make learning accessible, engaging, and invite you to bring your lived experiences to the text. It is a privilege to help guide, encourage, and sometimes lovingly push you in your learning. My life's work is to help Jews make meaningful and sustainable connections to their Judaism through learning, exploration of ritual, and more!

When I’m not teaching innovative Torah, you can find me listening to the music of Ella Fitzgerald and cooking delicious kosher treats.