Rabbi Debra Bennet was born and raised in New Jersey. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Brandeis University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Women’s Studies. She attended Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) from which she received rabbinic ordination in May 2007. During her time at HUC-JIR, Rabbi Bennet served in a number of communities including: North Fork Reform Temple, Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, NJ, and Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. She was also the intern to the Associate Dean and on the committee of the HUC-JIR Soup Kitchen. HUC awarded her The Rabbi Herbert Hendel Memorial Prize (Awarded for General Excellence) and The Rhoda Malino Memorial Prize in Modern Hebrew Literature.
After ordination, Rabbi Bennet served as the Rabbi Educator at Temple Beth Torah. In addition to leading the religious school, shaping new curriculum and planning exciting learning opportunities, Rabbi Bennet worked to create a new, innovative high school program bringing together experiential and more formal opportunities for learning.
Rabbi Bennet participated in the Second Cohort for the Leadership Institute for Jewish Educators. With educators from around the tri-state area, Rabbi Bennet delved into the study of educational principles, leadership development and pedagogic skills and created new programming for religious schools.
At Chaverim, Rabbi Bennet is proud to have worked, with her fellow clergy and staff, to create Tuesday Night Live, the teen experiential program for 8th-12th graders. For the last 7 years, TNL has helped our teens explore who they are as Jews, participate in acts of tikkun olam and strengthen their identities as Jewish adults.
Rabbi Bennet serves as the Treasurer of the Long Island Board of Rabbis.
Rabbi Bennet can be reached at rabbibennet@templechaverim.org.