Shomrei Aish - "Keepers of the Flame"

Spiritual Leadership

Reb Patrice Spitz is a Pastoral Caregiver at Nevei Kodesh.  She offers pastoral care and counseling to members who are in need of support for issues surrounding illness or death. This could include the stress of caring for an elderly parent, or anticipatory grief related to a death that is expected.   Reb Patrice will also be officiating at funerals.  She is available to  meet you where you are at, listen deeply and compassionately, and offer the gems of our rich spiritual tradition.  

Reb Patrice was ordained as a Rabbinic Pastor through ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. Rabbinic Pastors are Jewish clergy who are specialists in the pastoral dimension of rabbinic work. Reb Patrice has over 15 years experience as a spiritual counselor and chaplain. She can be directly contacted at t patrice@neveikodesh.org

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Dena Gitterman, M.A. comes from a lifelong desire for a living spiritual connection (through prayer and meditative practices, as well as time in nature) and a deep passion for teaching, the arts, and creative ritual. Dena has over 20 years' experience as a psychotherapist, and was ordained as a Maggid (Jewish teacher/lifecycle leader/storyteller) by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and this congregation in 1998. Since that time she has co-created and officiated over 40 weddings/commitment ceremonies, as well as baby blessings, houseblessings, and memorial services. Each ritual is personally created to reflect the spiritual and personal values of the participants. She also regularly leads shiva minyanim for congregants in mourning, and has past experience volunteering with hospice and the Boulder Chevra Kaddisha. For the past 8 years she has served as Executive Director of Nevei Kodesh, and can additionally be seen regularly performing comedy as a member of the Kosher Hams. Contact her at dena@neveikodesh.org

Batya Greenwald, M.Ed. has experience leading weddings, baby namings and house blessings. She has less experience but willing to support people around dying, funerals and shiva minyanim. She leads kids' services at Rosh Hashanah as well as parts of adult services. She is a certified K-8 teachers, founding director of the Boulder Jewish Day School and a lead trainer for PassageWorks, Girls' Leadership Institute. Contact her at batya@neveikodesh.org

Rabbi Hannah Laner has served as a spiritual leader, cantorial soloist, and professional educator in our community for over twenty-five years. She brings skills as a certified psychotherapist and was ordained as a Jewish Renewal rabbi in January 2013 through the Aleph Rabbinic Program. Rabbi Hannah sofficiates life-cycle rituals, including weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and Baby Namings (Brit Milah for boys and Simchat Bat for girls). She works closely with couples and families to create individual, meaningful ceremonies. As our B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator, Rabbi Hannah guides families through all aspects of preparation and sees this rite of passage as a journey in which the entire family is engaged. Experienced in teaching and inspiring B’nei Mitzvah students, Rabbi Hannahi infuses this process with a passionate love of Torah and tradition. Winner of many awards for innovation, creativity, and excellence in Jewish education, Hanalei ignites a spark in children and adults alike. Contact her at hanalei@neveikodesh.org

Joe Lukasik volunteers as a Shabbat service leader, member of the Gabai Va’ad and as part of the musical ministry with Nevei Kodesh. After completing his para-chaplain training with Jewish Family Services in 2011, he continues to support members the Boulder County Jewish elder and homebound population via Jewish Family Services by leading Shabbat and holiday services at local senior residences as well as making home and hospital visitations. Joe has a special affinity to working with the elderly and has done extensive work with individuals with serious illness as well as those with deep conflicts of faith.  Joe brings sensitivity, a big love of people and a desire to heal by connecting those in need with HaShem. He is available to support the community with late lifecycle and memorial rituals as well as service and music leadership (He plays pretty hot Klezmer clarinet!). Contact him at joe@neveikodesh.org

Naomi Rusk can be contacted at naomi@neveikodesh.org

Patrice Spitz, Rabbinic Pastor: In addition to being the Rabbinic Pastor at Nevei Kodesh, Reb Patrice also officiates the entire range of lifecycle ceremonies, such as weddings and baby blessings. Each ceremony is tailored to your specific needs, allowing the joy of the occasion to blossom forth.

Reb Patrice was ordained as a Rabbinic Pastor through Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal.  Rabbinic Pastors are Jewish clergy who are specialists in the pastoral dimension of rabbinic work.    In addition, Reb Patrice has over 10 years of experience officiating diverse life cycle ceremonies. Contact her at patrice@neveikodesh.org. View her website at:  www.PatriceSpitzWellness.com

Charna Rosenholtz, M.A. is an accomplished teacher, specializing in psychospiritual growth and applications of spiritual wisdom.  Ordained as a Hebrew wisdom teacher (Maggid) by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, she also holds a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from Naropa University in Boulder, CO.  She has mentored with medicine women, clergy, and master teachers in relation to the development of human potential. A Grinspoon-Steinhardt award winner, Charna’s passion and skill helps develop an empowered learning environment.  By utilizing technologies from Matrix Leadership Institute, Hakomi Institute, and Right Use of Power, she seamlessly weaves content and context, for a holistic experience, be it in private sessions, ceremony and ritual, or educational settings.  Charna’s love and commitment to Torah and renewal Judaism brings deep intention and heartful practice to everyday life.

Charna is available to lead weddings, b'nai mitzvah, and other special events, as well as spiritual counseling. Contact her at charna@neveikodesh.org

Michelle Wolf (Miriam Ayala): Throughout Michelle’s life, music is the constant thread that brings her joy, community, and deep creative expression. Above all, her song leads directly to Spirit—and opens that path for others. Since 2003, Michelle has served Nevei Kodesh as cantor, leading the community in prayer, chant, and song for Shabbat, High Holy Days, and holidays throughout the year. Her experience and training come from mentoring by Reb Tirzah, Aleph’s Davennen’ Leadership Training Institute (DLTI 3), individual study, and time on the bima.

In addition to services, Michelle regularly leads lifecycle rituals, including weddings, baby namings, and b’nai mitzvah—and delights in working with couples, families, and teens to craft the just-right ceremony that respects tradition while reflecting individual expression. Other spiritual-musical specialties include chant circles, b’nai mitzvah tutoring, vocal coaching, kids choirs/ensembles, and composition. In 2006, Michelle recorded “PrayerSongs” with Nevei Kodesh’s house band trio Bat Kol, featuring Eyal Rivlin and Sheldon Sands. Her two sons keep her heart open and her feet on the ground. She can be contacted at michelle@neveikodesh.org

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