Rabbi Deena Cowans

Associate Rabbi

Rabbi Deena Cowans is thrilled to return to her hometown of Chicago (technically, she grew up in Glencoe, but O’Hare is her hometown airport and the Bulls are her hometown basketball team). Deena was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in May 2020, where she also received a Certificate in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Before coming to Mishkan, Deena served in rabbinic and chaplain roles around the country, including as the Family Programs Director at Congregation Ansche Chesed, as the Director of Education at Camp Ramah in the Rockies, and as the Slifka Rabbinic Fellow at Cornell University. She also completed two 400-hour chaplain training units, one in a hospice setting and one in a prison-reentry organization in East Harlem. Prior to enrolling at JTS, Deena received a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University and a BA from Duke University. 

In her free time, she enjoys training for and running marathons, practicing and teaching yoga, cooking, and spending time with her dog, Ash.