Rabbi Kamila Kopřivová

Rabbi Kamila Kopřivová, the first female rabbi from the Czech Republic, has been serving the Westminster Synagogue community since September 2023. Her journey to our community reflects her profound dedication to Jewish scholarship and spiritual leadership. Initially inclined towards a scientific career, a pivotal encounter with Martin Buber's Tales of the Hasidim during her teenage years ignited her passion for Judaism, steering her towards religious studies. Today, she brings both intellectual depth and heartfelt engagement to her rabbinic work, creating meaningful Jewish experiences that bridge tradition and modernity. She believes that even the smallest moments of Jewish learning and practice can hold vast meaning, shaping individual and communal identity in enduring ways.

Rabbi Kamila’s academic journey began at Charles University in Prague, where she studied Jewish Theology and Philosophy. She later pursued rabbinic training at the Abraham Geiger Kolleg in Potsdam, studied at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and completed her ordination at Leo Baeck College in London. This diverse educational background has endowed her with a broad and nuanced perspective on Jewish tradition and contemporary issues. Her doctoral research delved into the mystical texts of Rabbi Löw, specifically the Zohar, underscoring her ongoing interest in Jewish mysticism and philosophy. As a teacher and spiritual guide, she brings these scholarly insights into her work, making complex ideas accessible without diminishing their depth, helping each person find personal meaning in Jewish texts and traditions.

Her leadership at Westminster Synagogue is marked by a commitment to inclusivity, education, and an environment of mutual care, fostering a vibrant and welcoming Jewish life. She actively engages in interfaith dialogue and social justice initiatives, emphasizing the role of Judaism in building a more compassionate world.

Her appointment at Westminster Synagogue holds deep symbolic significance, as the congregation is home to the Memorial Scrolls Trust, which safeguards 1,564 Czech Torah scrolls rescued from communities destroyed in the Holocaust. As a Czech-born rabbi, she carries a personal and historical connection to these scrolls, seeing them not just as relics of the past but as living symbols of resilience and renewal. In an era where Jewish continuity cannot be taken for granted, she is dedicated to ensuring that these scrolls—and the stories of the communities they represent—continue to inspire and connect generations. By deepening engagement with the legacy of Czech Jewish life and fostering relationships between Westminster Synagogue and Jewish communities worldwide, she helps write the next chapter of an ongoing story—one of survival, adaptation, and vibrant Jewish life.