United Hebrew Congregation has named Rabbi Roxanne J.S. Shapiro, R.J.E. to the newly-established position of Rabbi Educator. Rabbi Shapiro will oversee all facets of congregational education, including the Religious School, Hebrew School and Adult Education. She will also supervise the Director of Early Childhood Education.

Earlier this year, longtime United Hebrew members Lois and Arthur Guller, created the Lois and Arthur Guller Chair in Lifelong Learning, making it possible for the congregation to bring in an experienced Rabbi Educator.

Rabbi Howard G. Kaplansky and U.H. President Ed Becker enthusiastically announced her appointment in a joint letter to the membership last month, stating, “Rabbi Shapiro is an excellent educator, administrator and teacher, as well as an imaginative and creative planner. And, since her title will be Rabbi Educator, you should know that [she] is a fine rabbi.”

Rabbi Shapiro, raised in Springfield, Ill., has served for the past six years as Rabbi-Educator of Congregation Shalom, a Reform congregation of nearly 1,100 families in Milwaukee. She earned Rabbinic Ordination and a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Cincinnati. She received the title of Reform Jewish Educator (R.J.E.) after meeting criteria established by the professional and academic arms of the Reform Movement. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Teaching and has taught in the Milwaukee Jewish Day School. Her experience working with Jewish youth and camps is extensive. She is a past president of the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) as well as a former National Director of Admissions and Recruitment for HUC-JIR.

Along with Rabbi Kaplansky, United Hebrew’s clergy includes Rabbi Brigitte S. Rosenberg and Cantor Ronald D. Eichaker.

The clergy and staff will formally introduce Rabbi Shapiro to members of the congregation and community at several events and receptions during the month of August, including the U.H. Prospective Member Open House on Sunday, Aug. 22.

United Hebrew Congregation is located in West St. Louis County at 13788 Conway Road.