2015
Landres Courage for Dignity Award
Keshet
Awarded for creating a groundbreaking transgender life cycle ritual, reflecting Rabbi Gabai's commitment to ensuring that every person can find their place within Jewish tradition and community.
About Rabbi Gabai
Rabbi Tsipora Gabai carries the legacy of Moroccan Rabbinical heritage into the San Francisco Bay Area, weaving together Sephardic and Ashkenazic traditions with warmth, scholarship, and a pioneering spirit.
A Heritage of Faith and Scholarship
Rabbi Tsipora Gabai is believed to be the first female rabbi of Moroccan descent, carrying forward a rich lineage of Jewish learning that stretches back through generations of Moroccan rabbinical scholars. Her journey from the traditions of Sephardic Judaism to ordination as a rabbi reflects both deep reverence for the past and a courageous vision for the future.
Born into a family steeped in Moroccan Jewish heritage, Rabbi Gabai grew up immersed in the melodies, customs, and spiritual richness of Sephardic practice. This upbringing instilled in her a profound love of Torah and a commitment to making Jewish tradition accessible and meaningful for every generation.
As the spiritual leader of Congregation Zohar Yisrael, Rabbi Gabai creates a welcoming space where Sephardic and Ashkenazic traditions come together in a vibrant expression of Jewish life. Her services blend the warmth of Moroccan liturgical traditions with contemporary relevance, inviting congregants to experience Judaism as both ancient wisdom and living practice.
Rabbi Gabai's rabbinical work spans the full spectrum of Jewish life: from the joy of welcoming new children into the covenant, to guiding young people through the transformative passage of Bar and Bat Mitzvah, to uniting couples in marriage, and honoring the sacred rituals that accompany life's final passage. In each ceremony, she brings a deeply personal approach that honors both the families she serves and the traditions she upholds.
Education & Ordination
Haifa University Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Jewish History Haifa, Israel
Jewish Theological Seminary Certificate of Advanced Studies New York, NY
2003 Academy for Jewish Religion Master of Arts & S'michah (Rabbinical Ordination) Los Angeles, CA
Awards & Recognition
Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award
The Harold Grinspoon Foundation & Steinhardt Foundation
For Excellence in Jewish Education, recognizing Rabbi Gabai's innovative approach to making Jewish learning vibrant, accessible, and deeply meaningful.
Guendelman Award
Outstanding Teacher of the Year
Honoring Rabbi Gabai's exceptional dedication to her students and her ability to bring Torah wisdom alive in the classroom through warmth, rigor, and personal connection.
A Teaching Legacy
"Lee'lmod u'le'la'med" — To Teach and to Learn
For nearly three decades, from 1989 to 2018, Rabbi Gabai served as a beloved educator at Tehiyah Day School in El Cerrito, California, one of the Bay Area's most distinguished Jewish community day schools. There, she helped shape generations of young Jewish minds, instilling in them a love of Hebrew language, Jewish history, and the living traditions of their heritage.
Her work at Beth Jacob Hebrew School further extended her reach into the community, ensuring that Jewish education remained accessible to families across different backgrounds and levels of observance.
Rabbi Gabai's educational philosophy embodies the Talmudic principle that the best way to learn is to teach, and the best teachers never stop learning. She brings this reciprocal spirit to every classroom, every ceremony, and every encounter.
Work with Rabbi Gabai
Whether you are planning a life cycle celebration, seeking spiritual guidance, or looking for a teacher to inspire your community, Rabbi Gabai would love to hear from you.
Get in Touch