Rabbi Jodi Seewald Smith was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where she studied Comparative Religion. During her junior year of college she lived in Jerusalem and attended Hebrew University. She received a masters degree in Hebrew Literature and rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City.  While in rabbinical school Rabbi Smith had student internships at Central Synagogue in New York, New York, Congregation Or Hatzafon in Fairbanks, Alaska, Temple Israel in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life: Hillel at New York University.  She also spent five summers working at a Jewish camp in Zionsville,  Indiana and has led numerous trips to Israel. Rabbi Smith joined the team at Temple Chayai Shalom in 2003 and looks forward to many years of growth with the congregation.

Her diversity of work experience reflects her diversity of interests.  Rabbi Smith enjoys working with children as well as adults, college students as well as senior citizens. She also has a deep commitment to Israel, klal yisrael (Jewish unity), and Jewish learning. Rabbi Smith loves to teach and is a presence in our Religious School. She regularly leads services for our 2nd through 6th graders, she teaches our Chai School program, and participates in family education programs. In addition, Rabbi Smith has been the instructor of our Adult B'nai Mitzvah class and various other adult education classes.

Rabbi Smith is married to Adam Smith, a native of the Boston area, and a Jewish professional on the North Shore of Boston. Together they like to hike, play volleyball, and travel.

Rabbi Smith hopes that Temple Chayai Shalom can be a second home to all who walk through its doors and that it can be a place of learning, growth, and comfort. She looks forward to sharing this journey with you.