: About Me

My name is Rabbi Bonnie Koppell. A native of Brooklyn, New York. Ordained in 1981, I now reside in Arizona, with my husband, David Rubenstein, a professional astrologer. We are the parents of two grown daughters.

In addition to my work as a Rabbi, I have been privileged to serve as a Chaplain in the United State Army Reserve for almost thirty years. I hold the rank of Colonel, and have visited servicemembers in Iraq on two occasions, as well as Kuwait and Afghanistan.

The spiritual leader of two local congregations, I also teach at the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School and at Temple Chai.

Religion & Spirituality > Judaism Jewish education in the US today

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The day after my daughter's bat mitzvah celebration, we went to Target so that she could enjoy a reward for her many months of preparation. She selected two items to buy with her gift card: a Barbie doll and a lipstick. To me, these choices were emblematic of the transition that bat mitzvah represents - one foot in childhood and another stepping in to young adulthood. Bar/bat mitzvah is traditionally understood as the time when we are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong, and have the strength of character to choose the good. Parents recite a blessing giving thank...

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