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Rabbi Hannah Spiro

(c/o Bruria Hammer Photography)

Hannah Spiro, Hill Havurah's rabbi, is a DC-area native and a 2017 Reconstructionist Rabbinical College graduate.  Previously serving at Reconstructionist, Reform, and Conservative synagogues from Boston to Florida, Rabbi Hannah has become passionate about bringing daring and dynamic Torah, compassionate pastoral care, and the empowerment of a strong lay leadership to her work.  Rabbi Hannah is additionally an accomplished singer/songwriter, and loves bringing music onto the pulpit and into the classroom.  She and her husband, David Pfeferman, have a toddler named Julius, and the three of them are delighted to be a part of such a warm, creative group of people as the Havurah.  

If you have any questions or would like to reach out to Rabbi Hannah, you can contact her at rabbihannah@hillhavurah.org

 

Two Firsts for Jewish Life on Capitol Hill:
Hill Havurah’s First Rabbi Takes Up Her Pulpit; First Rabbi on the Hill in Decades

 

Washington, July 1, 2016 – FDR was in the White House, World War II raged and there was only one Jewish justice on the Supreme Court the last time a new rabbi was hired to work on Capitol Hill.

Hill Havurah, the only Jewish congregation located east of the Capitol and indeed the only one outside of the northwest quadrant of the city, is proud to announce the hiring of Rabbi Hannah Spiro as its first-ever spiritual leader.

“Rabbi Hannah is a dynamic presence in the pulpit who already is well known in the area for her musical talents, warmth and approachable style,” said incoming Hill Havurah Board Chair Allison May Rosen. “Her hiring is the next phase in the remarkable resurgence of organized Jewish life on Capitol Hill.”

Once home to at least two synagogues, the Hill was without an organized presence when a handful of neighborhood residents began gathering in living rooms for occasional services around 15 years ago. Until now, Hill Havurah has been entirely lay led and has attracted crowds upwards of 400 people for High Holiday services. It has seen steady growth despite the lack of a building of its own. Instead, in a display of heartfelt religious pluralism, area churches have welcomed the “wandering Jews of Capitol Hill” in their facilities.

“I am thrilled to be joining the leadership of the delightful, dynamic Hill Havurah,” said Rabbi Hannah. “I can't wait to see what spiritual, intellectual, and communal growth the future has in store for us!”

Rabbi Hannah was hired after a national search to be Hill Havurah’s spiritual leader and director of its Jewish education program for students in PreK-3 through 7th grade. She is a native of the Washington region and a student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College outside Philadelphia. She will be leading Hill Havurah as she completes her rabbinical studies.

You can enjoy Rabbi Hannah's Shabbat Divrei Torah at the following link.

Read all about (and don't forget to share) news of Hill Havurah in the . . .

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784