Rabbi Ira Dounn

Rabbi Ira cannot wait to get to know you and what inspires you! He was raised in the Reform community in Teaneck, NJ, and he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago with a focus on health care in Chicago and human rights in South Africa. Embarking on an important Jewish journey of his own during and after college, Rabbi Ira studied at Yeshivat Hamivtar in Israel and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York City. He discovered his passion for engaging with young leaders while working at the Bukharian Teen Lounge in Queens, New York. He also worked at B’nai Jeshurun’s teen program in Manhattan and at BBYO where he served as South Jersey Regional Director in Cherry Hill, NJ and Director of Jewish Enrichment based in Washington, DC. Rabbi Ira believes in the power of immersive experiences, and has led many trips and programs like Panim el Panim seminars in DC, Jewish leadership conferences in West Virginia, service trips to New Orleans, Nicaragua and Argentina, and Jewish heritage trips to Israel, Bulgaria, and Poland. He was ordained at the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) in New York. Rabbi Ira, his wife Shaina, and 2 young children enjoy exploring the beautiful outdoors, adventuring to other countries or places in North America, going to see movies, biking, playing and watching soccer, going bowling, and spending time with family.