Biography

Rabbi Deena Cowans was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in May 2020, where she also received a Certificate in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She previously served as Associate Rabbi at Mishkan Chicago, where she is originally from, and has served in additional rabbinic and chaplain roles around the country, including as the Family Programs Director at Congregation Ansche Chesed, as the Director of Education at Camp Ramah in the Rockies, and as the Slifka Rabbinic Fellow at Cornell University. She also completed two 400-hour chaplain training units, one in a hospice setting and one in a prison-reentry organization in East Harlem. Prior to enrolling at JTS, Deena received a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University, and worked in Washington, DC; Israel; Nepal; and Uganda. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her dog, Ash.