Debi M. Rowe, Director of Education and Programs
Debi Rowe earned a bachelor’s degree in Judaic studies from the University of Cincinnati in 1977, a master of arts in Jewish education from Hebrew Union College in 1980, and an honorary doctorate of Jewish Religious Education from HUC in 2005.

She has been Director of Education at four synagogues since 1980, including Temple Beth El from 1987 to 1993, a precursor to her current tenure, which began in 2002. Ms. Rowe served for two years as the director of customer relations and staff training for Torah Aura Productions. She served for a year as Director of Educational Services at the Bureau of Jewish Education in Orange County.

In 1996, Ms. Rowe and her father, Rabbi Lawrence Mahrer, co-authored A Guide to Small Congregation Religious Schools, published by the UAHC Press. In 1998, they again collaborated on “The Small Congregation” included in The Jewish Educational Leader’s Handbook, published by Alternatives in Religious Education. Additionally, Ms. Rowe has written several student textbooks and teacher guides for Torah Aura Productions.

The Bureau of Jewish Education of Los Angeles awarded Ms. Rowe the Lainer Distinguished Educator Award for Religious School Educators in 1998. Ms. Rowe has served three terms on the national board of the National Association of Temple Educators.

Debi and her husband, Alan, were married at Temple Beth El in 1988.