Rabbi Erika Purdy-Patrick joined Beit Kulanu as Assistant Rabbi in July 2026. Passionate about building welcoming and accessible Jewish communities, she brings a strong background in Jewish learning, pastoral care, and community engagement.
Rabbi Purdy-Patrick was ordained by Hebrew Union College in 2026 and earned a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters from the College’s Los Angeles campus. She also holds a Master of Liberal Studies in Human Rights from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her rabbinic training included congregational internships in California and Montana, where she led worship services, provided pastoral support, taught learners of all ages, and helped congregants deepen their connection to Jewish life. Additionally, she served as the rabbinic intern for the Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din and the Institute of Southern Jewish Life in Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to rabbinical school, Rabbi Purdy-Patrick served as the Director of Young Adult, LGBTQ, and Interfaith Engagement at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, Texas, and as the Program Administrator for the Jewish Emergent Network and IKAR’s young adult community, TRIBE, in Los Angeles, California. She has also completed social justice leadership fellowships in the United States and Israel, and prior to her professional experience in the Jewish world, worked in refugee resettlement with the International Rescue Committee.
Drawn to Beit Kulanu’s spirit of warmth, connection, and innovation, Rabbi Purdy-Patrick is excited to partner with congregants, clergy, and staff in creating meaningful Jewish experiences and strengthening community. She and her husband Mason look forward to making Pittsburgh their home and building lasting relationships throughout the congregation.
412-621-6566, ext. 123
rabbipurdypatrick@beitkulanu.org