An experienced rabbi, scholar, community builder, speaker and writer, and a creative voice and entrepreneur in the renewal of contemporary Jewish life.
Rabbi Adina Lewittes founded Sha’ar, a northern NJ/NYC-based, values-driven Jewish community oriented around the call to societal, environmental and spiritual sustainability. For twenty years Sha’ar provided multiple gateways into Jewish life exemplified by a commitment to inclusiveness, diversity, innovation, scholarship, excellence and collaboration. From 2017 - 2020 served as the Scholar in Residence at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in NYC, a synagogue renowned for its commitment to social justice and spiritual activism. Dini is also a member of the senior rabbinic faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute, the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Joshua Heschel School, and of Keshet, a national organization working for LGBT+ inclusion in Jewish and Democratic life. Previously, Dini served as the Assistant Dean of the Rabbinical School at JTS where she now serves on the faculty teaching Contemporary Jewish Law, and founded a synagogue in Englewood, New Jersey, modelling shared leadership and collective communal responsibility. Dini regularly enjoys speaking engagements in the US and Canada and publishing essays on topics including Jewish identity, leadership, Jewish innovation, sexual/gender diversity, multifaith/ multiheritage marriage and engagement, and contemporary Jewish spirituality. Dini is an avid skier, hiker and all-around nature enthusiast. She is married to Andi Lewittes, and has four children, two stepchildren, and one incredible dog.
KIND WORDS FROM TRUSTED SOURCES
Studying with Rabbi Adina Lewittes is gratifying because of her depth of knowledge, her command of traditional texts and relevant contemporary texts, and her engaging manner, leaving the student feeling inspired and eager to continue to participate in her classes.
Vicki Abrams
New York, NY
Throughout five days, Dini brought her unique approach, coupling rich learning with paths to action, incorporating Jewish ritual and reflection.
Debbie Lerner
New York, NY
Every class of Dini’s is a tour de force packed with wonderful sources and raising stimulating questions.
Judith Plaskow | Theologian
Author of the Jewish feminist classic Standing Again at Sinai
Dini brings to her teaching a love of the sources, an intrepid engagement with meaning, and a receptivity to interpretation by her students that makes all of us into a community as soon as we begin to study with her.
Nessa Rapoport
Author of A Woman’s Book of Grieving, House on the River, and Evening
I have had the absolute joy of traveling twice with Rabbi Adina Lewittes. Dini is a fabulous tour guide! She is deeply knowledgeable, insightful and I learned tons of history. In addition she is so much fun to travel with - the trip was full of education, spiritual connections and tons of laughter. I cannot recommend her enough.
Shira Antonoff
Dini inhabits a rare niche among Jewish educators: she inspires both scholars and laypeople to deeper engagement with study and action.
Rachel Brodie z"l
Master Jewish Educator
Working with Rabbi Lewittes on innovative programs was a pleasure. She is a courageous and original thinker who engages her congregants in multiple and diverse ways.
Rabbi Haim Ovadia
Torah VeAhava
Studying with Dini constantly challenges me to look at our world and ask myself “what else can I be doing” to help heal? I am exposed to people, questions and problems through a Jewish lens that I would not have come in contact with.
Bennett Grau
Chair, Southern Poverty Law Center
Rabbi Lewittes is a dedicated researcher, able to organize material to present a clear perspective. Her interviewing skills are extraordinarily perceptive. She is kind, considerate and challenging, while welcoming and encouraging discussion.
Phyllis and Avi Benjamin
Ontario, Canada
Studying with Rabbi Adina Lewittes is gratifying because of her depth of knowledge, her command of traditional texts and relevant contemporary texts, and her engaging manner, leaving the student feeling inspired and eager to continue to participate in her classes.
Vicki Abrams
New York, NY
Throughout five days, Dini brought her unique approach, coupling rich learning with paths to action, incorporating Jewish ritual and reflection.
Debbie Lerner
New York, NY
Every class of Dini’s is a tour de force packed with wonderful sources and raising stimulating questions.
Judith Plaskow | Theologian
Author of the Jewish feminist classic Standing Again at Sinai
Dini brings to her teaching a love of the sources, an intrepid engagement with meaning, and a receptivity to interpretation by her students that makes all of us into a community as soon as we begin to study with her.
Nessa Rapoport
Author of A Woman’s Book of Grieving, House on the River, and Evening
I have had the absolute joy of traveling twice with Rabbi Adina Lewittes. Dini is a fabulous tour guide! She is deeply knowledgeable, insightful and I learned tons of history. In addition she is so much fun to travel with - the trip was full of education, spiritual connections and tons of laughter. I cannot recommend her enough.
Shira Antonoff
Dini inhabits a rare niche among Jewish educators: she inspires both scholars and laypeople to deeper engagement with study and action.
Rachel Brodie z"l
Master Jewish Educator
Working with Rabbi Lewittes on innovative programs was a pleasure. She is a courageous and original thinker who engages her congregants in multiple and diverse ways.
Rabbi Haim Ovadia
Torah VeAhava
Studying with Dini constantly challenges me to look at our world and ask myself “what else can I be doing” to help heal? I am exposed to people, questions and problems through a Jewish lens that I would not have come in contact with.
Bennett Grau
Chair, Southern Poverty Law Center
Rabbi Lewittes is a dedicated researcher, able to organize material to present a clear perspective. Her interviewing skills are extraordinarily perceptive. She is kind, considerate and challenging, while welcoming and encouraging discussion.
Phyllis and Avi Benjamin
Ontario, Canada
Studying with Rabbi Adina Lewittes is gratifying because of her depth of knowledge, her command of traditional texts and relevant contemporary texts, and her engaging manner, leaving the student feeling inspired and eager to continue to participate in her classes.
Vicki Abrams
New York, NY
Throughout five days, Dini brought her unique approach, coupling rich learning with paths to action, incorporating Jewish ritual and reflection.