I trained first as a Rabbi and later as a Psychotherapist. In 1978 I was among the first seven women ordained as Rabbi at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. About 15 years later I earned a Masters in Counseling Psychology at Pepperdine University, Los Angeles. I became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California
in 1998 and additionally, in New York in 2026.
In 1978, I joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now URJ) professional staff as an Assistant Regional Director in New York region and later Regional Director in the New Jersey-West Hudson Valley region of reform synagogues. In that position, I shared the messages of the Reform movement, gained. adminstrative and management skills and also served as the "unintentional" orientation to women rabbis in over 100 congregations. In 1985, I happily moved back to Los Angeles and became a Camp Director and Rabbi at the historic Wilshire Boulevard Temple. For over 30 years, in addition to lifecycle responsibilites I guided the spiritual, educational and cultural programming for adults and children, and supervised over 30 clergy and staff. I learned to marry and bury, console and comfort, teach and advise. I also developed learning and cultural opportunities, collaborated with and guided other clergy and lay leadership. Gratefully I served on the Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and its Ethics committee. With other colleagues, I mentored clergy through the tshuvah/rehabilitaiton process.
For seven years, beginning in 2014, I guided the next generation of rabbis, as Adjunct Faculty in Pastoral Counseling at Hebrew Union College, Los Angeles where I taught "Lifecycle and Pastoral Counseling Skills"and "Rabbi as Symbolic Exemplar", a Professional Ethics course.
Because of my previous experiences and training, I currently counsel and consult through my private practice, "Rabbi Karen Fox: In Context." I facilitate workshops, peer clergy circles, dyad consults and one on one sessions. I encourage you to grow one small step at a time, believing that Change is Possible.
I"m married, a proud mother and Omi to 5 grands. I hike and ski, love art and music, enjoy dark coffee, black licorice and apple strudel.
Why
"In Context?"
What is the Context of your Life? Professionals serve so many roles today: public and private, manager and counselor, pragmatist and spiritual advisor, professional and family member. Awareness of The Context allows us to gain awareness that sometimes those roles are painfully at odds with each other yet need be 'held' at the same time. I can help you 'Hold' the Roles and understands that all people need symbolic "Holding".
Explore Your professional and personal challenge with
Rabbi Karen Fox.
Understand Your Work In Context;
Sustain and Uplift your l life.