Join our Beth Israel community for another chapter in our Courageous Conversations series. We are honored to host Brandy Shufutinsky and hear her story and wisdom firsthand. Brandy will guide us through the intricacies of her identity in conversation with Rabbi Nevarez.

A highlight will feature a discussion on their viewpoints on Ethnic Studies Model Curriculums, followed by a Q&A.

Brandy Shufutinsky is a social worker, writer, researcher, and advocate.

She holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of San Francisco in International and Multicultural Education and her MSW from the University of Southern California. Brandy has worked towards advancing the rights of victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault within the military community through practice, education, and research. She sits on the advisory board for Progressive Zionists of California and is a member of the board at the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values. Brandy was a 2021 Scholar-in-Residence at the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism & Policy Oxford Summer Institute, where she worked to develop curriculum in Critical Antisemitism Studies. Currently, she is working towards developing intercultural and academic opportunities to enhance liberal democratic ideals.

Rabbi Jason Nevarez, Senior Rabbi @ Beth Israel, San Diego
Originally from New York City, Rabbi Jason Nevarez graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and went to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he received his BA in 1998. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 2006, where he earned Master’s degrees in both Hebrew Literature and Religious Education, and was the recipient of a number of scholarships, in addition to several academic prizes in Jewish education. Rabbi Nevarez held residencies and internships at Larchmont Temple, Larchmont, NY, Temple Beth Emeth, Ann Arbor, MI, and at Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford NY, where he served for 17 years before becoming the Spiritual Leader of Beth Israel. Prior to entering Rabbinical School, he served as a Youth Director at synagogues in Connecticut and Michigan, and also as a Regional Director for NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth).

There is no fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes.

This event is held on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.