Rabbinic Intern Shira Singelenberg
Shir Hadash is pleased to welcome Shira Singelenberg as our rabbinic intern for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. She is currently a fourth year student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia, PA. She comes to us through a new innovative field education program that provides rabbinic students with an intensive and immersive internship experience for their final two years of training. In year two of the program, Shira will relocate to St. Louis and complete her rabbinic studies online.
Shira is from Bethesda, MD, where she grew up in an environment that fostered curiosity and questioning, indicative of the Jewish tradition. Shabbat dinner was a revered and memorable time and remains one of her favorite Jewish traditions. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County in History with a minor in Medieval and Early Studies. Combining her love for studying religion and sacred spaces, she focused on architectural history and preservation.
Since starting her rabbinic journey Shira has served various Jewish communities teaching, leading services, and offering pastoral care. She served as the rabbinic intern for Hillel at West Chester University and at Lions Gate, a retirement home in Voorhees, NJ. Shira has taught for Reform and Reconstructionist synagogues, fostering her love for engaging with youth and their exploration of Judaism.
She finds meaningful spiritual practice while engaging and interacting with Torah. Reading from Torah is a practice that unites her love of primary sources and the power of Jewish cultural tradition. She brings enthusiasm and eagerness to the community and aims to create explorative spaces. Shira is excited to continue her journey at Shir Hadash and in the St. Louis Jewish community.
Read Shira’s “Sitting With Torah” commentaries
Contact Rabbinic Intern Shira
Rabbi Emeritus Lane Steinger
Rabbi Emeritus Lane Steinger has served Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community since 2009. Upon his "retirement" in June 2016, he was named Rabbi Emeritus and continues to be an integral part of our community, leading monthly TaNak/Bible Study and First Shabbat Dinner discussions and assisting with our pastoral and life cycle needs.
Also born and raised in St. Louis, Rabbi Lane earned a Masters of Arts in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1998, he was awarded the Doctor of Divinity honoris causa from HUC-JIR.
Rabbi Steinger and his wife Linda are the proud parents of Shira Kahan, Daina and Andrew Borteck, and Rafi and Erin Steinger, and the even prouder grandparents of Ethan and Marisa Borteck, Naomi and Leora Kahan, and Mallory Steinger.