Rabbi Janet Madden is not accepting new students currently.

When I was 12 years old, I took an aptitude test that showed that the career for which I was best suited was clergy; the second best was teacher. But at the time, there were no female clergy. I did the second-best thing: I earned my doctorate and became a college professor. Times changed. Life happened. And I wanted deeper connections with God and with human beings. I applied to The Academy for Jewish Religion-California’s fully accredited, pluralistic, egalitarian and trans-denominational rabbinical school. I studied with Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Renewal, Reconstructionist and Humanist rabbis, cantors, lay teachers, and students. I was ordained by a Modern Orthodox rabbi, a Renewal rabbi, and a Reform rabbi; my sponsor was a Conservative rabbi. I am trained in and attuned to the full spectrum of Jewish practices. So, when people ask me what kind of a rabbi I am, my answer is simple and heartfelt: “A good one, I hope.”

I am a member of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and a Governor of the Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din, the world’s only trans-denominational beit din (court of Jewish law). I have served as a congregational rabbi, a hospice rabbi, and a hospital rabbi. I find joy in writing and officiating at creative, soulful rituals. As a certified Jewish Spiritual Director, I bring the principles of Spiritual Direction into my work with those who are on the journey to Judaism. It is my deep joy and great honor to accompany individuals who are on the holy journey to becoming a Jew.