I’m Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan, a scholar and spiritual teacher living in Vancouver, Canada, on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. My work is spiritual, religious, and sometimes political.
Education: I've studied western philosophy (Ph.D.), education (M.Ed.), rabbinics (ordination), spiritual direction (Grad.Dip.), Ayurvedic yoga (professional certificate), and depth psychology (9 grad courses).
Employment: At work, I am Dean of ALEPH Ordination Program. Before that, I was Director of Inter-Religious Studies and Professor of Jewish Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology. I am also Rabbi Emerita of Or Shalom Synagogue and Professor Emerita of Philosophy and Women's Studies at UNC Charlotte.
Spiritual Direction: I hold a Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction from the Vancouver School of Theology (2010). To that practice, I also bring ten years of pastoral care experience (2005-2014).
Books: As an author, I've recently written Shechinah, Bring Me Home! Kabbalah and the Omer in Real Life (Cascade, 2022), Mouth of the Donkey: Re-imagining Biblical Animals (Cascade, 2021) and The Infinity Inside: Jewish Spiritual Practice Through a Multi-Faith Lens (Albion-Andalus, 2019).
Collaborative Books: I also co-edit Religious Pluralism and Public Life, a scholarly book series, for Wipf and Stock Publishers. With my colleagues, I've recently co-edited Multireligious Reflections on Friendship (Lexington, 2023), Visions of the End-Times: Revelations of Hope and Challenge (Wipf and Stock, 2022), Spirit of Reconciliation (Canadian Race Relations Foundation, 2020) and Encountering the Other (Wipf & Stock, 2020).
Teaching Awards: I love teaching and I have received many teaching awards. I'm especially delighted that I recently received the American Academy of Religion's Katie Geneva Cannon Excellence in Teaching Award (2022). Before that, I received the American Association of Philosophy Teachers award (2004), was named a U.S. Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (2001), and honoured by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors (2000).
Relaxation: When I'm not at work or exploring spiritual practice, I'm usually volunteering at a synagogue or interfaith initiative; hiking, singing, or leading prayer services with my spouse; laughing with my husband and our adult children; hanging out with my companion animals; or simply doing household work.
Links: Read my academic essays on a variety of topics at my ACADEMIA.EDU page.
Visit my VST FACULTY PAGE, to see my c.v. and teaching philosophy.
And feel free to contact me here.