Rabbi Kara Tav serves as Rabbi of Spiritual Care at Congregation Beth Shalom and as a chaplain at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. A board-certified chaplain and educator, she accompanies adults, children, families, and caregivers through moments of illness, grief, vulnerability, and transition. She also makes visits to homes, hospitals, and other settings when people reach out for support.
Rabbi Kara brings a lifetime of experience in education, pastoral care, and spiritual counseling to her work. Before becoming a rabbi, she spent 20 years as an educator, earning her MAT from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1991. She was ordained from JTS as a rabbi in 2010.
She has served as Director of Spiritual Care at Elmhurst and NYU Langone Hospitals and has worked extensively with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals facing some of life's most tender moments.
Rabbi Kara grew up in a small town in Canada and has lived in five countries. Her story with Pittsburgh began 30 years ago when she and her husband, Kobi, first moved to America from Israel. After several other moves and 18 years in New York City, they have returned to make Pittsburgh their home. Kobi may be familiar to many at Beth Shalom as the morning Minyan weekday Torah reader. Their daughter, Ella, was born in Squirrel Hill when Rabbi Kara served as principal of Beth Shalom Hebrew School.
When she isn't working, Rabbi Kara is an enthusiastic gardener, an avid reader, and someone who is always curious about people, stories, and the world around her.
Rabbi Kara believes that sometimes what we need most is someone who will listen, help us find our footing, and walk alongside us. She hopes to be with you in those tender moments, offering a compassionate presence and honoring your neshama, your soul.
Office: 412-421-2288 x317
Cell: 412-651-8726
Email: rabbikara@bethshalompgh.org
