Rabbi Shula Stevens is formerly a professional musician (harpist). She graduated (cum laude) from Mills College, Oakland, CA, with BA in Fine Arts. During this time, Shula participated in Adult B'nai Mitzvah at age 32, which led to interest in becoming a hazzan.Shula received her initial training as a hazzan the old-fashioned way, through 8-year apprenticeship to master Hazzan Carl K Naluai, Jr., Congregation B'nai Israel, Sacramento, CA. To give her studies an academic basis, she enrolled in the MA program at Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA. There, Shula had the good fortune of studying Jewish Mysticism and Hasidut with Dr. Daniel Matt, and Visual Midrash with Dr. Jo Milgrom. Special areas of study: mysticism, liturgy, and women's studies. She is just now completing her Master's Thesis on "Interaction of the Taamim with the Narrative Line of Torah - Spiritual Insights".Shula also just completed the 3-year training/certification program at Chochmat HaLev, Berkeley, CA, receiving the title "Morah L'Hitbodedut" - Teacher of Jewish Meditation, studying with Dr. Avram Davis, Dr. Nan Fink Gefen, R' Steven Fisdel, R' Alan Lew, and R' Jonathan Omer-Man. Shula has also studied Jewish Spiritual Guidance & Pastoral Care through apprenticeships with R' Jonathan Omer-Man, R' Steven Fisdel and most recently, R' Shohama Wiener. Shula is also enrolled in the Aleph Cantorial track, and currently studying with Hazzan Jack Kessler.Professionally, Shula has worked as an educator, hazzan, and student rabbi for 13 years, serving in Reform and Conservative congregations.Her committee of mentors is as follows: R' Victor Gross, academic advisor, R' Dennis Beck-Berman, R' Steven Fisdel, Hazzan Jack Kessler, and HazzanCarl K. Naluai, Jr.Plans for the future: to serve a congregation, and maintain a small Spiritual Guidance practice. 
