Amy Small

Rabbi Amy Joy Small is the founding Rabbi and Director of Deborah's Palm Center for Jewish Learning and Experiences. She was ordained from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1987 and has served congregations in New Jersey, Michigan and Indiana. She is a past president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, with many years of board service. She is a fellow of Rabbis Without Borders and a senior fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute. She is currently on the Board of Governors of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, the Jewish Federation of Metrowest NJ, National Interreligious Leadership Delegation for Peace in the Middle East, and the MetroWest NJ Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life. She was a Vice Chair for the National JNFA Rabbinic Cabinet, and served on the boards of Religions for Peace USA, the American Zionist Movement, and the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Israel Committee. Among her interfaith activities, she co-taught an intensive course, Building Abrahamic Partnerships at the Hartford Seminary. Rabbi Small previously was Dean of Academic Administration and Director of the Education Program at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.


Articles by Amy Small

16 Shots, 13 Months!

On Thanksgiving morning when I entered a large grocery store in Wicker Park, Chicago, I was transported back to a ...

Enjoying Imperfection

When my husband and I were house hunting 16 years ago, we visited a house that was so cluttered, even the ...

OK, Who Invited Joaquin To The Sukkah?

I recall standing once in a communal sukkah teaching a group of children about Sukkot. It was a sunny day ...

A Labor Day Confession

[Chart from the Jewish Labor Committee, the Jewish voice in the labor movement, and the voice of the labor movement ...

Reframing Worries About the Future

As a parent of young adults, I often talk with my peers about the unexpected paths our kids are choosing. ...

We Need Radical Pluralism

This was a rough week for Israeli-American Jewish relations. The New York Times reported the embarrassing story “Israeli Minister Says ...

Another View on The Courage to Be A Woman

When I bought my first new car 30 years ago, it was a momentous day. Beyond the excitement, the experience with ...

Football and Values at a Crossroads

As a high school marching band member, I attended every school football game. So, you’d think I could tell you ...

How To Know Which Candidate Can Lead

Oh, how I wish the race for the presidency were month or two long. I grow tired of the endless ...

Who Speaks for the Jews?

I have sung the song “David Melech Yisrael” thousands of times. It’s easy to learn and fun to sing with ...