Meet the Rabbi

Rabbi Rachel Tamar Bat-Or

Combining her belief in and reverence for Jewish law and practice with her desire to create a spiritually uplifting experience for congregants, Rabbi Bat-Or makes traditional Judaism accessible and meaningful to the “Jew in the pew.” Her studies and degrees in education, psychology and rabbinics make her uniquely suited to instill a love and respect for our centuries-old tradition. In addition to that, living in Israel for three years gave her first-hand experience of how important our homeland is in the lives of diaspora Jews.

Rabbi Bat-Or has held many leadership positions in the Jewish communities in New Haven, Berkeley, Los Angeles and Orange County. From her days as sisterhood secretary to being a lay rabbi, from directing a b’nai mitzvah program to leading a summer text program for young adults, from pastoral counseling to adult education, Rabbi Bat-Or has shared her passion for teaching and deep love for our tradition with those around her. Now as Congregation Sha’arey Israel’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Bat-Or’s essential goal is to awaken a love for Judaism, ancient and modern, in her congregants.

Rabbi Bat-Or has a son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Jennifer and grandson, Sam living in Connecticut.