Rabbi Edythe Mencher, serves as Faculty for Sacred Caring Community and Director of the URJ’s Presidential Disabilities Inclusion Initiative in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation.  Rabbi Mencher writes for Reform Judaism Magazine and presents and consults regularly on issues related to leadership development, disabilities inclusion, spirituality, mental health and family life at congregations, schools and organizations throughout North America. She is also an adjunct faculty member of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Interfaith Doctor of Ministry Program in Pastoral Counseling. She has in the past served as Rabbinic Consultant to UJA Federation of New York in developing programming for congregations relating to mental health issues and wellness. Prior to her ordination she was a member of the faculty of New York Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry and a therapist at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. Rabbi Mencher was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (New York) in 1999. She received certification from the Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in 1989 and currently serves on the faculty of the Training Institute. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College School of Social Work.