WELCOMING: wandering Jews • wondering Jews • LGBTQIA+ folks • Jew-ish • interfaith relationships • people of
color • singles • couples • families • multiracial relationships • single parents • adult children of interfaith families •
Jews by choice • non-Jews • seekers • low-income households • multicultural relationships • cultural Jews • older adults •
Growing Together and B-Mitzvah: Jewish Family Learning
Meet Our Staff
Rabbi Educator Steph Kennedy (she, her) directs Growing Together and Jewish Gateways' other family programs. In addition to ordination as a rabbi, she has an M.A. in Jewish Education and an M.A. in Judaic Studies. Rabbi Steph loves to work with children and families. She has experienced how, when Jewish learning is creative, sincere, and playful, it offers opportunities for each person to discover themselves and the aspects of Jewish tradition that most speak to them. She is committed to building a community where people can find inclusive, accessible, and progressive connections to Judaism that are also deeply rooted in tradition.
Rabbi Bridget Wynne (she, her) leads the adult learning sessions at Growing Together and participates, along with Rabbi Steph, in program and curriculum development. Rabbi Bridget is the founder and executive director of Jewish Gateways. She has extensive experience teaching families, adults, and children. She especially loves to help people dig beneath stereotypes about Jewish tradition to discover how varied and diverse it truly is, and to explore, rather than avoid, challenging issues.
Yuval Friedman (he, him) is originally from Israel, although he has been living in California for a significant part of his life. He graduated from California State University, Chico in December 2021, double majoring in Psychology and Child Development.
He worked for 3 years in various early care teaching positions in Butte County. His favorite was his time spent in any 4-5 year old class. Recently, Yuval returned from Israel after completing an English language credential program.
Nancy Brunn (she, her) is a second-generation Bay Area native. Nancy began her career teaching and advocating for adults with developmental disabilities. When her own children were small, she pivoted towards elementary education and graduated from the Delet teacher education program at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Nancy has taught in independent schools, religious schools, camps, and afterschool programs. She enjoys sparking a love of learning and building community. Nancy is passionate about B'tzelem Elohim, the concept that we are all created in the divine image and as such, each human being has infinite worth. Nancy enjoys organic gardening, strong coffee, queer Talmud study and watching Marvel movies with her daughter. She lives in Berkeley with her teen twins and senior kitty, George.
Isabel Grossman-Sartain (she, her) is a native of Los Angeles who recently moved to Oakland, and she is thrilled to be part of Jewish Gateways' family learning program, Growing Together, as a song leader and teacher! For the past two years, Isabel has had the pleasure of working as a song leader and assistant teacher at Temple Israel of Hollywood, where she grew up. She attended Camp Alonim in Simi Valley as a camper and counselor for thirteen years. Isabel is passionate about the power of music in Jewish prayer and community and hopes to bring her distinctly camp-style song leading to Jewish Gateways. In her free time, Isabel enjoys studying ancient history, playing guitar, and cuddling with her cat, Mars.
Register for the 2023 - 2024 School Year
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If you'd like to learn more, Rabbi Educator Stephanie Kennedy welcomes your email or your call at 510-859-7866.