Our Team
Jennifer James
Jennifer is the Director of Youth Learning and Engagement at Rodeph Shalom, where she leads and supervises the congregation’s Jewish youth programs: Berkman Mercaz Limud, the religious school for students in PreK through 12th grade; youth groups for students in 3rd through 12th grades; and, now, The Clubhouse! Jennifer has over 15 years of experience in Jewish educational leadership, having earned her Masters in Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She has led religious schools, a synagogue early learning center, and a synagogue summer camp.
Jennifer grew up in the Reform Jewish movement, and raised her three children at a Reform synagogue. She is a member of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators; and was a fellow in the Senior Educators Learning Fellowship at The Pardes Institute in Jerusalem. Prior to her career in Jewish education, Jennifer practiced law in Philadelphia, after graduating from Rutgers College and Harvard Law School. Jennifer can be reached at jjames@rodephshalom.org.
Hadasah Yaqob-Johnson
Hadasah Yaqob-Johnson is a native Texan and relocated to the Philadelphia area to pursue the rabbinate at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. By training, she is an educator specializing in EC-12 Special Education services, teaching courses in the sciences, mathematics, and English language arts and reading. She has also excelled in previous careers in financial management and administration. Yaqob-Johnson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Texas at Dallas, concentrating in Healthcare and Management. She has committed her time to volunteering, with memberships in national service organizations and fellowships with foundations focusing on repairing communities through health. She believes her rabbinical career will focus on Food Justice and Jewish Outreach, uniting several pillars of Judaism within her purpose: Tikkun Olam, Hachnasat Orchim, Maakhal Revi’im, and servant leadership. She firmly believes that Jewish community is anywhere where Jews are, and that community is holy and necessary.
Hadasah lives with her husband Ron and three young children and pet cat Cleo, and loves to cook for her family and friends, talk about Torah, and write poetry. Hadasah can be reached at hyaqobjohnson@rodephshalom.org.