For nearly 10 years, Rabbi Liza Stern has taught, inspired, and moved us. Under her leadership we have become not only the fastest growing congregation in Cambridge, but one with a huge heart, keen mind, and a resonant soul. We are fortunate to have a rabbi with 25 years of experience as an insightful scholar and a dynamic congregational leader with extraordinary pastoral skills.

Rabbi Stern has known since age 13 that she was meant to be a rabbi. She graduated from Vassar College and was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She has served as an associate faculty member at Brandeis University and was a leader of HUC’s mentoring program for rabbinic students and recently ordained rabbis.

She is also a leader of the Women’s Rabbi Network and the International Organization of Reform Women Rabbis. Recently she was awarded an honorary doctorate of divinity by HUC in recognition of her 25-year tenure.

Some may know that Rabbi Stern has raised five wonderful children with her husband, Rabbi Keith Stern and that she enjoys growing crops and playing competitive ice hockey. The Eitz Chayim community knows her as our rabbi, one who understands the texts and traditions as well as our joys and sorrows. She knows how to reach us when we need it most.

• "Rabbi's new sport offers cold, comfort"
• "The rabbi favors pads and a big stick"

Rabbi Stern goes on sabbatical in October 2010 for the remainder of the school year. Our Education Director Rabbi Wasserman will serve as interim rabbi until her return.