PRESENTING RENANA BROOKS AS RABBI AND TEACHER IN ISRAEL
Presented by Cantor Lois Kittner
Renana Brooks and I met in mid-May 2025, when she reached out for Ritual Skills tutoring. Although I couldn’ t have known it at the time, we were about to become forever friends. Renana was determined to meet specific time-sensitive goals, and we strapped ourselves in for the rollercoaster ride!
Renana and I spent a lot of time working together. I love working with people who want to learn and who are willing to really try. Renana Brooks could teach a Master Class in DEYR“ Determination and Effort Yield Results.” We developed our own lexicon of memory joggers and tension relievers, and we laughed, often!
Our extraordinary teachers and staff at The Academy for Jewish Religion teach each of their seminarians as individuals, improving weaknesses, and highlighting strengths. We become clergy, while maintaining the essence of who we are. Renana brings her own background and personality to her studies, and Am Yisrael will benefit greatly from her unique gifts and approach to her rabbinate.
The great Rav Yoda taught, in The Empire Strikes Back, " Do. Or do not. There is no try." Despite various challenges along the way, Renana Brooks did whatever it took, to get the job done! She would sometimes surprise herself, and always delighted in surprising me with her sometimes miraculous accomplishments! The name Renana can be translated as“ joyful song.” That is the Renana Brooks I have come to know. Renana loves to learn, loves to sing, loves to laugh, and finds joy in life.
Renana Brooks will bring her passion for Israel, and Judaism, to her rabbinate. And, I believe that, as it is written in psalms, she will“ Sing a new song to Gd!” in all the work she does.
It is my great honor to present Rabbi Renana Brooks.
BEIT DIN
Rabbi Jeffrey Segelman- Somekh Rabbi Matthew Goldstone, PhD Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum
6 AJR 2026