It brings Rabina great joy and meaning to speak to, pray with, learn with, and dream with people – from our young children to our elders, from those who are happy and those who are in deep pain. Drawing on our immense Jewish traditions and wisdom to support our members is important to the spiritual work she does. Rabina also loves welcoming our guests and visitors to services – both those here on the island and those from abroad.

Rabina works towards building healthier, more vibrant, and just environments through social activism, increased cultural awareness, deep learning, and pastoral care. Building bridges and relationships with those of other faiths, beliefs, and cultures is a central part of her work. Another one of Rabina’s areas of focus is to engage and support individuals, families, and communities with regard to the importance of end-of-life planning as well as creating a life that we find meaningful and impactful now.

Prior to the rabbinate, Rabina had a career in higher education administration. She earned a joint master’s degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Women and Gender Studies from Brandeis University. She pursued Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. She is passionate about education – both formal and informal. She firmly believes in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 4:1 – Who is wise? One who can learn from every person.

Coming from a military family, Rabina was born in Japan and has lived in numerous countries, including Turkey and France. She loves learning new languages and is working hard on learning Papiamentu and Dutch and improving her Spanish – Poko poko pero sigur! Rabina is delighted to call Curaçao home and enjoys exploring it with her partner, her three children, and her new Curaçao puppy, Pika.