Debi Lewis: Ordination

A huge mazel tov on behalf of the entire CBB community to our beloved Rav Debi Lewis!– Editor

Deborah Lynn Lewis graduated from Gratz College with a BA in Jewish Studies. She is a member of Congregation B’nai B’rith (CBB) in Santa Barbara and credits her congregation for instilling within her a great love of Judaism and the Jewish people. Deborah currently serves as a spiritual leader for the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community and looks forward to growing and learning with this very warm and wonderful community.

Deborah has completed her third unit of Clinical Pastoral Education and is working toward becoming a Board-Certified Chaplain. She is the Clinical Chaplaincy Intern at Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara County, helping to provide visitation to those that are home-bound. At CBB Deborah has taught practical Judaism to those on the journey toward Judaism. She finds serving these individuals and families to be profoundly meaningful and a great honor.

I am grateful to the AJRCA community for providing knowledgeable, caring teachers and staff, as well as like-minded fellow students, now colleagues and friends. I am humbled by my CBB family and friends, my committed cheerleaders who continually teach me new ways to be loving, supportive, and present. I want to acknowledge the Wednesday morning women’s Torah study group – Judy, Linda and Mahela, as well as my mother Barbara, who has always been a loving and encouraging presence. To Janet Lachais and Amy Locke, I am eternally grateful  for your encouragement to start this amazing journey. And to my beshert Traci, you’ve been my rock; without your support I would have never been able to realize this achievement. 

Upon ordination, Rabbi Lewis will continue her work as a rabbi, teacher and chaplain, serving the Greater Santa Barbara Jewish Community generally and the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community specifically. 

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