Rabbinic Council - Consejo Rabínico - Conselho Rabínico
Jewtina y Co.'s Rabbinic Council aims to create a meaningful platform for Latin-Jewish community members to connect with clergy who share their unique multicultural heritage. Comprised of Latin-Jewish rabbis, the Council offers a diverse range of experiences to support individuals in their journey of Jewish learning, spiritual growth, and exploration of their identity. Additionally, the Council hopes to inspire community members to consider and pursue Rabbinic leadership, fostering the next generation of Latin-Jewish leaders.
Meet THE Rabbis
RABBI APRIL VILLARREAL
RABBI APRIL VILLARREAL
RABBI APRIL VILLARREAL
Rabbi April Villarreal (she/they) is a Senior Coach and Content & Program Associate with Pedagogy of Partnership. She has worked in Jewish education for thirteen years as a classroom teacher and administrator in Jewish day schools during which they were awarded the Covenant Foundation’s Pomegranate Prize for emerging Jewish educators. She
Rabbi April Villarreal (she/they) is a Senior Coach and Content & Program Associate with Pedagogy of Partnership. She has worked in Jewish education for thirteen years as a classroom teacher and administrator in Jewish day schools during which they were awarded the Covenant Foundation’s Pomegranate Prize for emerging Jewish educators. She has also worked as an Education Consultant for various Jewish education organizations throughout North America. At the center of all of her work is the belief in Judaism’s ability to help people discover and nourish their best selves. April has studied in multiple batei midrash and completed a full course of rabbinic study under Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo. A graduate of UCLA in the Study of Religion, she also holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the American Jewish University.
RABBI JUÁN MEJÍA
RABBI APRIL VILLARREAL
RABBI APRIL VILLARREAL
Rabbi Juán Mejía (he/him) was born in Bogotá, Colombia, to a Catholic family. Discovering the Jewish roots of his family and falling in love with Judaism led Juán to convert, and later to pursue the rabbinate.
He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2009. For the past 15 years, Rabbi Juán has been working with communities i
Rabbi Juán Mejía (he/him) was born in Bogotá, Colombia, to a Catholic family. Discovering the Jewish roots of his family and falling in love with Judaism led Juán to convert, and later to pursue the rabbinate.
He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2009. For the past 15 years, Rabbi Juán has been working with communities in Latin America and creating Torah resources in Spanish both in print and online. He is passionate about working with people who are interested in learning about Judaism. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, Rabbi Abby Jacobson, and their three Jewtino children.