Shena Potter Jaffee

Innovative rabbi with a strong track record in fostering inclusive Jewish communities and enhancing Jewish identity among young adults and interfaith families. Recognized for empathetic leadership and strategic thinking in congregational and educational environments. Experienced speaker and educator with expertise in rabbinic mentorship and community engagement. Past president of the Cincinnati Board of Rabbis and recruitment director at Hebrew Union College, dedicated to developing future Jewish leaders.

Sought after keynote speaker, panelist, and educator for institutions such as: University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Holocaust & Humanity Center, regional synagogues, high schools, and media outlets. Topics include: Interfaith Identity, Young Adult Jewish Life, Experiential Education, and Jewish Leadership.

• Rabbis Without Borders Fellow, CLAL – National cohort focused on globalized, innovative Jewish leadership
• ICenter – Certificate in Israel Education
• Jewish Fertility Foundation – Fertility Buddy

• Adath Israel Congregation – Presidential Appointment
• American Jewish Committee – Past Board Member
• Jewish Community Relations Council – Past Board Member

• Developed Jewish engagement initiatives reaching thousands of participants annually through the Mayerson JCC
• Designed experiential learning programs for interfaith families across multiple institutions
• Mentored dozens of rabbis and Jewish educators to strengthen Jewish identity for their constituents

• Rabbi in Residence, Rockdale Temple, Cincinnati, OH, 01/01/20 - 12/31/21, Guided community through leadership transition and pandemic adaptation. Innovated virtual worship and pastoral outreach strategies.
• Founding Director of Jewish Life, Mayerson JCC, Cincinnati, OH, 01/01/10 - 12/31/20, Built a thriving center for Jewish engagement at a citywide JCC serving 28,000 monthly visitors. Developed educational programs across the lifespan, with a special focus on interfaith and intercultural families. Curated major community events including Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations, Global Day of Jewish Learning, and interfaith series.
• Rabbi Educator & Mentor, Honeymoon Israel, Cincinnati, OH, 01/01/18 - 12/31/22, Led immersive Israel experiences and sustained alumni engagement. Served as rabbinic mentor to new cohort leaders and point of entry for young couples exploring Jewish life.
• President, Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis, Cincinnati, OH, 01/01/16 - 12/31/18, Re-envisioned the Board’s communal presence and internal structure. Strengthened collegial collaboration and public-facing rabbinic leadership.
• Admissions & Recruitment, Regional Director, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, OH, 01/01/07 - 12/31/10, Guided prospective rabbinical students through discernment and application process. Led outreach and pipeline development through college/high school Shabbatonim. Promoted Jewish professional pathways and mentored future leaders.
• Assistant Director & Campus Rabbi, University of Michigan Hillel, Ann Arbor, MI, 01/01/01 - 12/31/03, Designed spiritual and cultural programming for one of the nation’s largest Jewish campus populations. Empowered students to own and shape their Jewish identities in young adulthood.
• Associate Rabbi, Temple Sinai, Washington, DC, 01/01/03 - 12/31/07, Led lifecycle, worship, and educational programming in a large urban Reform congregation. Reinvigorated Confirmation and Young Family Shabbat programming.

• Director of Rabbinic Talent, 18Doors & Honeymoon Israel Togethering, Ongoing, Jointly appointed national position to help build the field of highly skilled engaging rabbis. Mentor and support rabbis and educators in creating radically welcoming spaces for interfaith and multi-background Jewish families. Lead onboarding and training experiences; develop best practices for post-trip community re-entry and alumni engagement.
• Jewish Life and Learning Director / Division of Adulting Coordinator, Rockwern Academy, Cincinnati, OH, 01/01/21 - Present, Strategic partner in reimagining Judaic curriculum for Cincinnati’s pluralistic Jewish Day School. Founder of GATHER, a micro-community chavurah model for broader community engagement. Relaunched Division of Adulting, a Jewish life initiative for young adults across the city.
• Rabbi, Temple B’nai Israel, Monroe, MI, 01/01/21 - Present, Provide spiritual leadership, education, and pastoral care to a Reform congregation. Introduced technology-enhanced worship and lifecycle opportunities.