When Erin Stiebel 鈥08S, 鈥10A reflects on her journey from a warm, hospitality-filled upbringing in Silver Spring, Maryland, to her thriving career in Jewish education, she feels immense gratitude for the people, places and institutions that shaped and guided her.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Erin spent her earliest years as the daughter of a U.S. Navy captain, her father of blessed memory. "My parents grew up as we called it, 鈥榮outhern Orthodox,鈥" Erin recalls, meaning they attended an Orthodox shul and kept kosher at home but weren鈥檛 Shomer Shabbos.
But at age four, her family moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, where access to a vibrant Orthodox community reshaped their lives, and being placed in the Orthodox day school system and growing up Shomer Shabbos felt natural: "I didn鈥檛 know anything different."
Erin was also shaped by a home life filled with an infectious warmth and openness. Her parents invited guests from all walks of life to frequent their Shabbat table, which was always brimming with lively zemiros [songs] and joyous conversations. She also had the chance to travel to Poland, Ukraine and Israel through NCSY JOLT, an experience she describes as life-changing and which ignited a deeper passion to define her Jewish identity.
鈥淚 was very involved in NCSY throughout high school,鈥 she says, something that her parents (both products of NCSY) felt was an important addition to her connection with her Judaism. 鈥淣CSY infused neshama [soul] into the wonderful academic education I was receiving. It was a recipe for success and helped me grow in my external and internal Judaism.鈥
All these influences fed into her decision to come to Stern College for Women. Though YU was not her initial choice for college, 鈥渁s I solidified a lot of my religious growth during my senior year of high school at Berman Hebrew Academy, I realized not only was YU a good option, it was the best option for me.鈥 While spending a transformative year and a half at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim after her graduation, she found that many of her seminary friends at MMY were also going to Stern College. 鈥淭hat transition from seminary back to YU gave me such a strong support system to continue growing, learning and expanding myself in an environment intended to help students thrive religiously.鈥
At Stern College, she immersed herself as a Judaic studies major in enriching classes and built lasting mentorships with distinguished faculty such as Rabbi J.J. Schacter and Rabbi Ephraim Kanarfogel. Her enthusiasm extended beyond the classroom to leadership roles, including serving on the Torah Activities Council and participating in the Center for the Jewish Future programs. 鈥淵U gave me so many opportunities to learn my kochos [strengths] and build connections,鈥 she says.
Erin also grew more certain that 鈥渕y heart was in Jewish education.鈥 She knew that she wanted to give back to NCSY for all that it had given her, so when she returned from seminary, she became an NCSY adviser and started staffing NCSY summer programs. 鈥淭wenty years later, I鈥檓 still staffing NCSY summer programs, now as the director of NCSY GIVE since 2009.鈥
This also prompted to her get her first teaching job through the University鈥檚 job fair as a student teacher at SAR Academy in New York. 鈥淚 fell in love with both the school and the middle school demographic,鈥 she says. At the same time, she enrolled in the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, where she pursued a master鈥檚 degree in Jewish education while also working toward an M.B.A. (to help her get into educational leadership).
鈥淭he staff at Azrieli helped me bridge the connection between the degrees, invested scholarship funds in me as a Wexner Graduate Fellow and Davidson Scholar, and supported me in my student teaching at SAR.鈥 Professors such as Rabbi Feuerstein 锄鈥漧 and Dr. Bechhofer were instrumental in helping her develop practical skills and a deeper passion for empowering the next generation of Jewish leaders.
A highlight of her time at Azrieli was serving as class speaker at her graduation, a reflection of her dedication and growth during the program.
After three meaningful years at SAR and graduation from Azrieli, she moved to Detroit to build a life with her husband, David, while continuing her passion for informal education through NCSY.
鈥淚 did enjoy classroom teaching,鈥 she notes. 鈥淚 still look back on my portfolio from my student teaching and happily remember all the important lessons I had learned in the Azrieli classroom that I was able to then apply to my classroom.鈥
But for Erin, given all the experiences of her upbringing and the transformative experiences with NCSY, 鈥渋nformal education is where the magic happens.鈥 Through her work with NCSY GIVE, she has created a space for high school girls to embrace their unique potential while learning the importance of ahavas Hashem [love of God] and chesed [kindness]. Erin reflects on her approach: 鈥淭here鈥檚 such an emphasis today on academics or intensity in yiras Hashem [awe of God]. I work hard to infuse everything I do with the joy of Judaism.鈥
Now settled in Southfield, Michigan, Erin juggles multiple roles with grace. She serves as an educator for Partners Detroit, providing Jewish education to young professionals and young mothers, and a lay leader in the Jewish Federation of metro Detroit, sitting on the board of governors as well as their local allocations committee. She also runs 4G Detroit, a branch of 4G NCSY, which caters towards high school girls looking for added opportunities to grow, learn and tap into their kochos and is preparing for her 17th consecutive NCSY GIVE summer program.
But while Erin treasures all her professional achievements, her proudest role is being a mom to five children. 鈥淥f all my jobs and roles in the community, the one I treasure most is being a mom,鈥 she shares. She and David are 鈥渓iving the dream,鈥 where they keep 鈥渁 warm, open home always filled with guests from all backgrounds around the Shabbos table and tons of neighborhood kids running in and out.鈥
Reflecting on her journey, Erin credits YU for instilling in her the confidence to lead and the tools to thrive. The lessons learned and connections formed continue to guide her today. 鈥淭he YU community made an everlasting impact on me. It was a springboard for everything that came after.鈥
As Erin continues to inspire those around her, she remains a shining example of someone who combines Torah values with heartfelt dedication to the next generation. For instance, she just completed the Core MMC Training Program to become a Mashpia/Mentor/Counselor, described as a 鈥渉ashkafically grounded woman who can be consulted about the vicissitudes of life, who will help explore those issues through a solid Torah lens.鈥
鈥淭here鈥檚 no greater job than helping people tap into their potential,鈥 she concludes with a smile. 鈥淭he nachas [joy] you experience from the sidelines is immeasurable.鈥
