Batya is a songwriter and mystic, teacher and spiritual leader. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Batya’s earliest days at Hebrew day school inspired her love of Jewish learning, music and ritual. She is a skilled communicator with a sharp sense of humor, whose journey to becoming a Kohenet wound through spells as a lawyer, private investigator, radio personality, and stay-at-home-mom.
Along the way, Batya has been writing, recording and performing her original songs and chants, weaving ancient wisdom with accessible teachings in English and Hebrew. Intimacy and playfulness with both languages allow Batya to discover hidden connections and deeper spiritual meaning, which she helps bring to light with her music. Whether holding b’mitzvah or high holiday services, women’s seders, healing and new moon circles, teaching the aleph-bet or studying kabbalah, Batya brings an easeful, attentive presence to the journey of those with whom she is engaged.
Batya is delighted to have received smicha in her 60th year as the culmination of a lifetime of Jewish learning, spiritual practice, ritual, parenting, creativity and community-building. She is deeply grateful to her teachers and ancestors, to the dear ones who lovingly care for her, and to this holy Kohenet community.