Dena Klein

Director of Special Initiatives

Rabbi Dena Klein served as a rabbinic intern at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and returned to develop our exciting adult education programming and our Caring Community initiative, bringing the vision of Rabbi Hirsch and the commitment of the lay leadership to life.

Dena was born in Englewood, New Jersey; her baby naming was held in our sanctuary. She has spent most of her life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ordained at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dena came to Stephen Wise after spending her first year as a rabbinical student at HUC–JIR in Israel. She led our senior youth group, was an active participant in many of our religious services, taught in the religious school and Adult Education Program, and served on several committees as a rabbinic intern.

Dena has served as the intern for the Education Department of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations here in New York. She has also worked as the rabbinic intern and Outreach Intern for the UAHC’s Pennsylvania Council. She has worked as a youth leader and teacher for a number of synagogues in the Philadelphia area.

Having served as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Roslyn, Long Island, she returns to Stephen Wise as Director of Special Initiatives, working on programs and courses of our the Center for Community Learning and projects of our new Caring Community.

Dena is extremely excited to have the opportunity to continue her involvement in the warm, diverse community of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and she looks to getting to know the congregation better in the coming year.

Dena Klein