People
Rabbi Lori Schneide Shapiro
Founding Rabbi/Artistic Director
“For the Jew-ishly Curious and those who love us.”
Founder of Open Temple in Venice, CA, Lori’s rabbinate is dedicated to reaching unaffiliated and intermarried families and seekers. Previously the Director of Jewish Life and Senior Consultant for Interfaith Relations and Outreach at the University of Southern California Hillel, Lori’s transdenominational rabbinate was informed by her studies at the American Jewish University, years living in Israel studying within an Orthodox Jewish framework and graduation from both the Academy for Jewish Religion/California (MA in Rabbinics) as well as the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (MA in Jewish Studies). Rabbi Lori and Open Temple developed when she was part of the inaugural cohort of the Clergy Leadership Incubator (CLI), a training ground for innovation in the rabbinate, directed by Rabbi Sid Schwarz. Rabbi Lori and Open Temple were then admitted as a member of Upstart Labs’ 10th Cohort and as a member of David Cygielman’s Open Dor Project. Rabbi Lori is a graduate of the Spiritual Direction program with the Yedidya Center for Spiritual Direction and is a member of Spiritual Directors International. Rabbi Lori is a member of the current cohort of the Interfaith Inclusion Leadership Initiative and is a proud Lion of Judah. Rabbi Lori is a member of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and the Sandra Caplan Beit Din. She and her husband, Dr. Joel Shapiro, live in the Venice canals with their two daughters and two labradoodles.
One who occupies oneself with the needs of the community is as though one has occupied oneself with Torah.
Talmud Yerushalmi, Berakhot
Lux Steinberg
Lux is a Jewish non-profit professional with a strong background in coordinating meaningful programming within the Jewish community. Lux graduated from Reed College with a BA in Neuroscience and started his career in neuroscience research at Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry and later the NeuroTechnology Center at Columbia University. He craved deeper meaning and shifted his focus to his Jewish roots. Lux joined the development and House of Learning teams at Lehrhaus, a Jewish tavern and house of learning, where he facilitated classes and philanthropic opportunities for the Boston Jewish community. He was also a member of Temple Israel of Boston’s Riverway Project. Now back home on the West Coast, he serves as the Director of Development and Engagement at The Open Temple in Venice, CA, and is a resident of Moishe House Venice.
The Open Temple Band
Open Temple Musicians
Through the creative experience and practice of playing in the band, band members learn active listening, tolerance and social cues. They gain an appreciation of their own importance in the group while respecting the roles of their fellow band members.
When the Open Temple Band performs for the community, there is a self-perception that they are giving the gift of music to their audience. Their hard work, both as individuals and as a group, is rewarded with a sense of accomplishment, acknowledgement of their talents, and an appreciation of their efforts. Participants gain self-esteem and sense of purpose by making people happy with their music.