JFN is thrilled to welcome our new Executive Vice President Rabbi Rebecca Sirbu, who began in her role this week.

The founding director of four start-up Jewish organizations, Rebecca served most recently as Director of the Engagement Division at Hadassah: The Women’s Zionist Organization. Selected as one of the “Most Inspirational Rabbis in America” by The Forward, she is former Director of Clal’s Rabbis Without Borders, a pluralist network of rabbis dedicated to serving the needs of all people through the creative use of Jewish wisdom. She is also the founder and CEO of RabbiCareers.com, making it easier for rabbis and communities of all types to find one another.

Rebecca has consulted for synagogues, organizations, and individuals on leadership development, building creative capacity, actualizing ideas, and how to work across religious and cultural borders. In addition, she is a co-founder of the Gender Equity in Hiring Project, which brings the best practices in gender-balanced hiring to lay and professional leaders

In addition, She is an expert voice on social media, and a speaker and writer on a variety of issues related to religion in America today. She is published in several books: "I Am Here: The Untold Stories of Everyday People"; "Faithfully Feminist: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Women on Why They Stay"; and "The Sacred Calling: Forty Years of Women in the Rabbinate," and is a regular contributor to eJewish Philanthropy among other publications.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vassar College, Rebecca holds a master’s degree and ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America and a certificate in Spiritual Entrepreneurship from Columbia Business School.

She will be the day-to-day operating executive working with staff and leadership to implement JFN’s programs.

“My first few days at JFN confirm what an amazing organization this is,” she said. “Everyone is completely committed to the vision of our organization and excited about the work. I am eager to meet more of our members and lay leaders and get to work on important initiatives as we come out of the pandemic.”