Founder of The Open Temple centered 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 as well as the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Rabbi Lori and The Open Temple are a part of a national incubator supporting cutting edge and innovative Jewish programming mentored by Rabbis Without Borders and CLAL. Currently, she is training as a Spiritual Director with the Yedidya Center for Spiritual Direction and is a member of Spiritual Directors International, the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, and the Sandra Caplan Beit Din. In 2016, Councilman Mike Bonin presented Rabbi Lori with the Spirit of Venice Award in honor of her work with Open Temple. She and her husband, Dr. Joel Shapiro, live in the Venice (CA) canals with their daughters, Harel and Golda. Lori is a graduate of Barnard College.