Hi there!

My name is Lara Tessler and I am finishing my final year at HUC-JIR in New York City. 

I grew up in Wellington, FL. My family and I  were active members of Temple Beth Torah, the congregation where I was raised and the place where my inspiration to become a Rabbi originated. 

I attended college at Florida State University, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and minored in Religious Studies. I was active in Hillel and found a deep love for Jewish learning and community leadership. During the Summers, I worked at the URJ Camp Coleman, and my passion for Jewish Camps grew.  Shortly after graduating from FSU, I started my Year In Israel at HUC-JIR.

While in school, I have been blessed by the opportunity to work with Woodlands Community Temple in White Plains, where I have been the Rabbinic Intern for the past three years. 

In my free time, I am either taking walks in Central Park or by the Hudson River, or searching NYC for the tastiest desserts!