Cantor/Rabbi Gabi Arad was invested as a Cantor in 2003 and ordained as a Rabbi in 2006 – both by the Hebrew Union College Institute of Religion.  Having grown up in the Reform movement (her mother, Tirza Arad is a highly respected Jewish educator), Gabi knew at a young age that she wanted to be both a Rabbi and a Cantor.  In fact, she announced it to her community in her Bat Mitzvah Speech.

Gabi has worked in the Jewish community her entire life (including being a hostess at a Jewish diner in South Florida).  In her college years, she ran a summer camp at her synagogue, was a counselor at URJ Camp Coleman in Cleveland, Georgia, taught Hebrew school, ran youth groups, served as a Cantorial assistant, and ran services for many of the nursing homes in South Florida.

In 1999, Gabi began her Hebrew Union College Career in Israel.  Throughout her 7 years of graduate school, Gabi served as a Cantorial intern (and eventually as an assistant Cantor) at Congregation Rodeph Sholom in NYC, Rabbinical intern at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in NYC, Summer Intern for Hebrew Union College, and traveled the country serving as a student representative for Hebrew Union College.

In 2005 Gabi finished her Rabbinical school studies (commuting from DC to NYC), gave birth to her beautiful first daughter, Noa, and worked for a year as the Cantor at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School.  In 2008, Gabi accepted the position of Senior Cantor at Temple Sinai in Roslyn, NY where she served for four years.

Gabi truly feels that her path has led her to the creation of the Jewish Collaborative of San Diego.  She has served in many communities and has met many amazing congregants.  With all her experience, she could not be more excited about creating (with the help of incredible people) this dream Jewish community.  Gabi resides in Carlsbad, CA with her two kids, Noa and Blake.

If you’d like to reach Cantor/Rabbi Gabi, don’t hesitate to be in touch. She is at cantorgabiarad@gmail.com or (760) 707-7111.