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Rabbi

 

Rabbi Nina Mandel has retired from her position as Rabbi of Congregation Beth El.  

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Rabbi Nina H. Mandel was with Congregation Beth El from the summer of 2002 until her retirement on June 30, 2026. She began as a part-time student rabbi and was hired full-time after her ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, PA, in 2003. She also holds a Master’s degree in Anthropology from New York University and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Although she has retired from her full-time duties as rabbi for Beth El, Rabbi Nina remains the Director of Jewish Life at Susquehanna University, teaching classes in Jewish philosophy and culture, Women’s Studies, Diversity Studies, and Jewish film. She also co-leads an interfaith engagement class for SU students for two-weeks in Jerusalem. Rabbi Nina teaches periodically at Bucknell University and has been a guest lecturer at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. 

 

Prior to becoming a rabbi, she worked for a variety of non-profit organizations consulting on community, resource, and board development.

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Lectures and Awards:

 

  • ACLU PA Central Susquehanna Chapter award for Religious Leadership, 2016

  • Presenter, Making Sense of Food, 2nd Global Conference, 2013 “Why Do You Care What I Eat: Commensality and Kashrut Explanations”

  • Peacemaker of the Year Award, Lewisburg Center for Non-Violent Living Lewisburg, 2012

  • Chair and program coordinator for two Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association conventions in 2009 and 2010, entitled “Jews, Race, and Class in North America”

  • Speaker and Humanitarian Award Winner for local United Church Women, 2009
     

Publications Include:

 

  • “Why Do You Care What I Eat: Commensality and Kashrut Explanations” in Making Sense of Food, e-publication, 2015

  • “Sukkot” in Guide to Jewish Practice series, Reconstructionist Press, 2011

  • “Shoftim” on the Mekor Hayyim (Jewish Federation of North America-Rabbinic Council) website, August, 2011

  • “Commentary” in Guide for Jewish Ethics series, Reconstructionist Press, 2008, 2009, 2010

  • “Ten Commandments Are Not Enough for a Toddler” in The MotherHood, March 2006

  • “Responding to Intermarriage” in The Reconstructionist, Spring 2005

  • “Haftarat Acharei Mot” in The Women’s Haftarah Commentary, Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, ed. Jewish Lights Publishing, 2004

  • “Baking and Spirituality” in Nashim Magazine, Spring 2002

  • “Reconsidering the Meanings of Diaspora” in Gesher v’Kesher: A Bridge and Connection. June 1999, Vol. 8, No. 1

 

Affiliations Include:

  • Board of Governors, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

  • Advisory Committee, Center for Jewish Ethics Guide to Jewish Practice Series, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

  • Member, Rabbis for Human Rights.

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