With the start of the 2024-2025 school year in full swing, we are excited to introduce you to members of the incoming class of students. Click here to see all of the posts in this series.
Today we’re talking with incoming Chaplaincy student Sharla Kibel.
Q1) Where do you live?
I live in the beautiful Lexington Hills/Santa Cruz mountains near Los Gatos, California.
Q2) How did you first hear of AJRCA?
I first heard about AJRCA when a fellow congregant, Trista Bernstein, told me she had been accepted to the Rabbinical school. I told her she was fulfilling one of my fantasies but it was a little late for me. She told me it was not too late.
Q3) What was it about AJRCA that drew you to enroll here?
As someone embarking on a third career, it was encouraging to learn about a chaplaincy training program that could both be its own path, or a step toward a full Rabbinic journey. After meeting Robin Federman and Rabbi Rochelle Robbins, and visiting some classes online, I felt this could be a very rich and accessible opportunity. I like the idea of online learning paired with in person residencies.
Q4) What were you doing prior to enrolling?
I am a family therapist who used to work in County Behavioral Health. I have been active in my own congregation for many years, having also served on the board as the adult ed chair. After retiring from the county, I had time to more deeply engage with Jewish study, also taking classes with Hadar, IJS and Aleph, so it has felt like a natural progression to go more deeply into Jewish learning and service.
Q5) As you embark on this experience, what are you most excited about?
I took two summer classes and expect to complete my first very busy semester this December. It has been thrilling to make deep new personal connections, find a place to be unselfconsciously engaged in Jewish spirituality, and to integrate so many dimensions across my classes. For example, I am in a CPE placement where I am asked to offer prayers spontaneously, so the class on personal prayer has been very timely. I am excited to continue learning and contributing in creative ways.
Welcome Sharla!