by Rabbi Marianne Novak
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.
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Rabbi Marianne Novak received her semikha, rabbinic ordination, from Yeshivat Maharat in 2019. She served her rabbinic internships at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, and Congregation Netivot Shalom in Teaneck, New Jersey. Rabbi Novak has been on the faculty of the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning for over 25 years and has served as gabbait and Bat Mitzvah tutor for the Skokie Women’s Tefillah Group. She has served as Scholar-in-Residence and lecturer at various congregations. Rabbi Novak received her B.A. cum laude from Barnard College in Political Science and has a JD from the School of Law of Washington University in St. Louis. Last fall, Rabbi Novak joined the Judaic studies staff at Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School. Additionally, she is an educator with the Jewish Learning Collab and has recently joined the Hadassah Foundation Board. She writes a popular blog for the Times of Israel and is a rabbinic advisor for A Mitzvah to Eat. She lives in Skokie, IL with her family.