Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community is excited to welcome Shira Singelenberg, a fifth-year rabbinical student, to St. Louis. Singelenberg is joining the community for the final year of her intensive two-year internship through the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College’s (RRC) William H. Fern Program in Field Education.
During the past year, Singelenberg made monthly virtual visits to Shir Hadash and led occasional services and programs while studying full-time at RRC in Philadelphia. Now, she has relocated to St. Louis and will serve the congregation in person, while completing the rest of her studies online.
Singelenberg has already begun leading Shabbat services and educational programs and is particularly excited about the High Holidays. This year, she will share the pulpit with Miriam Ginsberg, a second-year RRC student who will serve as the cantorial soloist and song leader.
“This is a unique opportunity for the St. Louis Jewish community to experience the dynamic music and spirituality of a Reconstructionist High Holy Day service,” Singelenberg said. “Our worship will be interactive, offering multiple opportunities for learning and personal reflection.”
Ginsberg, who previously helped build and lead the New Synagogue Project (NSP) in Washington, D.C., will bring her extensive experience in leading songful Shabbat services and community singing events to the High Holiday services.
All High Holiday services and programs at Shir Hadash, including the Rosh Hashanah lunch and Yom Kippur break-the-fast, are open to the community at no charge. Advance registration is encouraged at https://www.shirhadashstl.info/highholidays.
Looking ahead, Singelenberg is eager to dive into every aspect of the rabbinate—from leading services and holiday observances to providing pastoral care and attending Board and committee meetings. She is also excited to engage with the broader St. Louis Jewish community. “Living in St. Louis for this year will allow me to fully immerse myself in the life of the congregation and the community,” she said.
Shir Hadash members are enthusiastic about having Singelenberg as a more consistent presence. “We have already grown to know and appreciate Shira,” said President Rob Kodner. “We look forward to deepening our connections with her and experiencing more of her creativity.”
A native of Bethesda, Md., Singelenberg grew up in Conservative Congregation Ohr Kodesh. Her passion for history led her to earn a bachelor’s in History with a minor in Medieval and Early Modern Studies from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
During her time at RRC, Singelenberg has been involved with various Jewish communities, including Hillel at West Chester University and Lions Gate, an assisted living facility in Voorhees, N.J. Most recently, she served as a chaplain intern at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Penn., where she worked in a multi-faith spiritual care environment.
As Singelenberg embarks on her final year of rabbinical school and her internship at Shir Hadash, she is enthusiastic about continuing her journey to connect people with their spiritual heritage and the sacred texts that define it.
Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community meets in the Arts and Education Building of the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., near Creve Coeur. For more information, visit https://www.shirhadashstl.info or email [email protected].
