Bonnie Koppell

About Bonnie Koppell

Rabbi Bonnie Koppell is the Associate Rabbi at Temple Chai in Phoenix, Arizona. A native of Brooklyn, New York, she graduated the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, earning a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2006. She holds an M.A. in Religion from Temple University and a B.A. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Philosophy from Brandeis University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with High Honors in Philosophy. She received a Master\'s Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Rabbi Koppell was recognized as “Outstanding Young Leader of the Year” for the City of Mesa, AZ. She received the City of Mesa Martin Luther King Celebration’s “Spirit of Unity” award and the “Celebration of Success” award from Impact for Enterprising Women. The Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council awarded Rabbi Koppell its “World of People” award. She served as Grand Marshal for the City of Mesa Veteran’s Day Parade and was Mesa’s “Woman of the Year” in 2004. In 2007 she was invited to the White House to offer the opening prayer at a meeting of Jewish leaders with the President of the United States. In 2010 she was named as one of the Forward’s “Sisterhood 50 – America’s Influential Women Rabbis.” Rabbi Koppell also served as a Chaplain (Colonel) in the United States Army Reserve — and was the first female Rabbi to serve in the U.S. Military. In 2018 she received the Jewish Military Professional Award from the Jewish Community Association of North America. In 2019, Chaplain Koppell was inducted into the US Army Women\'s Foundation Hall of Fame. She retired after 38 years of service in 2016. Chaplain (Col) Koppell has received many military awards, including 2 Legion of Merit medals. She has been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait on multiple occasions, and served a year of active duty in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Rabbi Koppell is a recognized leader in both the military and civilian communities. She is in constant demand as a speaker and writer.

Experience

1. Rabbi

   Temple Chai

   Jul 2006 — Present · Phoenix, AZ

   Serve as the Associate Rabbi at Temple Chai, a congregation of 825 families in Phoenix, AZ, affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. Primary responsibilities include preparing and presenting sermons, leading religious services, providing pastoral care and guidance for life cycle events, teaching adults and children as well as outreach to the Jewish and interfaith communities.

Education

• Temple University

  MA, Religion/Religious Studies

  1976 — 1979

• Brandeis University

  Bachelor's degree, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Philosophy

  1973 — 1976

• U.S. Army War College

  Master's degree, Military Strategic Studies, General

  2011 — 2013

• Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

  Rabbi, Jewish/Judaic Studies

  1976 — 1981

Skills

• Pastoral Care
• Public Speaking
• Religion
• Pastoral Counseling
• Speech Writing
• Preaching
• Interfaith
• Community Outreach
• Security Clearance
• Team Management
• Religious Studies
• Leadership
• Informal Education
• Jewish Education
• Religious Education
• Project Management
• Hebrew
• Liturgy