Program Schedule

Yair is Nadya’s and Victor’s second child. He’s widely regarded as the smartest and best looking of the four children, but his humble and kind nature keep him grounded*. Yair holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Penn State University, and an MBA from Babson College. Yair is an internet-ordained minister, and after Nadya and Victor, is the family member who has officiated the most weddings (1 wedding). He prefers to be addressed as “Reverend.” Yair currently resides in the Boston area with his smokeshow of a partner, Andrea, and their evil dog, Dodger.
*Yerusha does not condone Yair waking up and choosing violence today.

Pastor Janet Kettering is a second-career pastor who entered ministry after serving in the Minnesota Courts for 30 years. Little did she know that seminary life would breathe new life in an unexpected way as she met and married her partner in love and ministry, the Rev. Phil Kettering. Pastor Janet is blessed by seven children (including spouses) and five grandchildren. Her love of nourishing others is brought to life through the “Nourishing Spirits~Nourishing Bodies” ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Boulder, where she has served as Pastor since October of 2016.

Rabbi Diane Tiferet is an ordained rabbi through ALEPH, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal. She holds a Masters of Jewish Education from Hebrew College and is a graduate of Rabbi Nadya’s Wisdom School. Currently the Rabbi of Congregation Nevei Kodesh, Rabbi Diane Tiferet previously served three progressive communities in Europe: Gesher LaMassoret in Cologne (Germany), Chawurah Gescher in Freiburg (Germany), and Migwan in Basel (Switzerland). She is happily married and the mother of two children and enjoys reading YA Queer literature for fun.

Rabbi Adrianne is a dedicated and outside-the-box educator and spiritual leader with a diverse range of personal and professional experiences. With a Master’s degree in education and a background in early childhood development, she has spent over two decades in Jewish Educational Leadership. In 2020, Rabbi Adrianne expanded her expertise by becoming a certified birth and postpartum doula, drawing upon her decades of experience to support expectant parents through the transformative journey of childbirth. As an officiant of life cycle events, she nurtures connections to Judaism, fostering personal and meaningful experiences for individuals seeking spiritual renewal.

Rabbi Eva is a spiritual leader and artist who designs transformative learning and ritual opportunities to provide seekers with joyful and creative approaches to Judaism. She serves as Rosh Hashpa’ah, head of Spiritual Direction for the ALEPH Ordination Program, supporting the spiritual development of the seminary students and faculty. In addition to being a mashpia, a spiritual director, Rabbi Eva enjoys her roles as a creative life-cycle guide, pastoral counselor, teacher and ritualist.

The Ben-Ha-Bachor* of the Gross family, Edan Shalom lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife Farrah and their son (and Reb N&V’s first grandson) Ashton Avishai. Edan spent his early years in Hollywood as an actor, and currently is a commercial real estate broker. While he has been through many ceremonies with his parents officiating, this will be his first time returning the mitzvah as a co-officiant for theirs…
*eldest son

Yoel Sykes is an internationally known spiritual facilitator, musician and composer who has been guiding groups in transformative musical prayer journeys for many years, while continuously learning and growing through experience and deep inner work. They are a certified Mashpiah/Spiritual Director and are currently studying to be a Rabbi through ALEPH. Yoel combines prayer songs, embodiment practice, meditation, spiritual teachings and group process to provide a platform for meaningful connections with self and Spirit. They specialize in creating intentional containers for community, where we can land in presence together, open our hearts to the universe and find soul nourishment, healing and adventure. 

Rabbinic Pastor & Mashpi’ah Ruchanit Sandra Wortzel enjoys integrating the things she knows and loves: Jewish Renewal, Expressive Arts, and Hashpa’ah, and her own evolving experiences through art-making. She encourages others to express their yearnings through the arts in Hashpa’ah, creative life cycle rituals, and workshops/retreats uniting spirituality, the arts and nature. She lives in the redwoods of the Mendocino CA Coast with her husband Kenny and their golden retriever Zushya.