Rabbi Georgette Kennebrae is the spiritual leader of Mikvé Israel-Emanuel in Curaçao; the oldest continuously running synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. A lover of history, culture, and language, she is honored to be part of such a rich history, heritage, and future. She has a passion for co-creating sacred community and spaces which are inclusive, meaningful, and joyous. Her desire is for each and every person to feel fully seen, embraced, and celebrated in the congregation and extended community.
Rabbi Kennebrae graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2017 and is a Wexner Graduate Fellow Alum (Class 26) and a Schusterman Fellow. She previously served as the rabbi of West End Synagogue in Manhattan. Prior to her ordination, she served as a Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. She also held the rabbinic intern position at the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore on Long Island and Bristol Jewish Center in Pennsylvania.
Rabbi Kennebrae works towards building healthier, more vibrant, and just environments through both social activism and pastoral care. She is engaged in the work and conversation around racial justice in the United States and ethnic inclusion within our Jewish communities. She completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and believes chaplaincy skills are critical in the sacred work of the rabbinate.
One of Rabbi Kennebrae’s areas of focus is to engage and support individuals, families, and communities with regards to the importance of end of life planning. She currently serves on the board of the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel in Manhattan.
Prior to the rabbinate, Rabbi Kennebrae had a career in higher education administration. She earned a joint master’s degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Women and Gender Studies from Brandeis University in 2008. She is passionate about education – both formal and informal. She firmly believes in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 4:1 – Who is wise? One who can learn from every person.
Coming from a military family, Rabbi Kennebrae was born in Japan and has lived in numerous countries, including Turkey and France. Her time abroad gives her an immense love of languages and diverse cultures and is a source of her commitment to multi-faith and multi-ethnic engagement.
