ABOUT RABBI DR. ELISA KOPPEL

Rabbi Elisa Koppel is the Interim Education Director at Judea Reform Congregation. Prior to her position at Judea Reform Congregation, she has had diverse experience as a rabbi and educator, including both synagogue and organizational work, with much of that time spent in the world of informal and experiential education. She has spent many summers at Reform Jewish summer camps in a variety of capacities, most recently at URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy. She also serves as the Networking Vice President for the Women’s Rabbinic Network, as well as serving on the Voice Committee for the Association of Reform Jewish Educators. Rabbi Koppel grew up in Westfield, NJ, where she was very active from a young age in Jewish life at Temple Emanu-El. She graduated from Brandeis University and earned her ordination, as well as two Masters Degrees from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion.

ABOUT REVEREND DR. CHERYL A. KIRK-DUGGAN

The Rev. Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan, Ph.D., a retired Professor of Religion and Director of Women’s Studies, at Shaw University Divinity School, Raleigh, NC (2004-2021), and an Ordained Elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is a Consultant, Scholar, Preacher, Author, and Performer–the Founder and CEO for Dr. Cheryl Enterprises. She helps people embrace their authentic, sacred selves through love by helping them make peace with loss, grief, and trauma in their lives; and she helps people find joy and creativity through their writing. Author and editor of over 25 books and numerous articles, she is recipient of many awards, including Shaw University Outstanding Achievement Award as International Recognized Womanist Scholar, 2016 and in 2020, Kirk-Duggan appeared in “17 African American Women Theologians You Should Know About.” A Great grandmother, family is central to her life. She loves to tinker with her roses, embraces laughter as her best medicine, and engages the quest for a healthy, holistic, spiritual life as her foundation, rooted in God/LOVE.

ABOUT REVEREND DR. MINDY DOUGLAS

Rev. Dr. Mindy Douglas grew up in South Carolina in a Presbyterian family of faith. A graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary and Duke Divinity School, she has served churches in Wilson, Chapel Hill, and Chatham County, NC as associate pastor, campus minister, and organizing pastor. She currently serves as Pastor/Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC. She is married to Tim O’Brien and her son Tyler is a student at UNC-Wilmington. She has a passion for social justice and for living out the gospel of Jesus Christ in community and partnership with others.