Rabbinic Pastor Nira Kellie Scheer

ִ ֽמ ֭ ַ ן־ה ֵּמ ַצר ָקָ֣ר ִאתי ָּ֑יּה ָעָ֖ננִי ַב ֶּמ ְר ָ֣חב ָיּֽה׃ 

In distress I called out to the LORD; 

the Lord answered me and brought me relief. — Palm 118:5 

In a winding path with many switchbacks, I started dreaming of becoming a congregational rabbi in 2002. 

Earning my Masters from Gratz College in Jewish Studies with a thesis in Gay and Lesbian Lifecycle Liturgy, I was awarded the graduation prize in Jewish Thought. At Gratz, I attended a class in Multiple Perspectives in Jewish Thought from Rabbi Victor Gross introducing me to Jewish Renewal. When I applied to the ALEPH Ordination Program in 2009, Reb Victor became my Director of Studies. 

In 2012, at Atlanta’s Congregation Bet Haverim, I worked as the Finesilver Memorial Rabbinic Intern for two years. There, I led services, provided pastoral care, officiated lifecycles and taught various groups of people to leyn Torah. 

When I entered the Aleph Ordination Program, I was focused on becoming a rabbi and pursued that intensely. One of the last requirements I had left was Clinical Pastoral Education, which I very much resisted. I entered the CPE program at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta and pretty much instantly fell in love with chaplaincy. So much so, I took 6 units! I found my true calling and changed my focus to becoming a chaplain. 

We went from three to five children in 2014 and that many children have a way of commanding your full attention. I chose to focus on family and stepped out of the AOP. But, children grow up and need us a tad less. So, in 2023, I was able to return to the program and knock out my last few classes needed to become ordained as a Rabbinic Pastor. 

Thank you to all of my teachers throughout the years. It is your wisdom that guides me. 

Thank you to Reb Victor, who as my Director of Studies for my rabbinic years, helped me navigate through the twists and turns of our program. He put up with me with a keen sense of humor and an expansive heart. 

Thank you to Reb Shulamit, my mashpia through it all. When you’re Reb Shulamit’s, she is there for you always. 

Thank you to Rabbi Joshua Lesser who mentored me on this path, providing teaching, directing, pastoral counseling spiritual direction, and friendship. 

And, many thanks go to Jess and my kids who worked and sacrificed for years to help me fulfill my dream.