Rabbi Jodi Seewald Smith was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Washington
University in St. Louis, Missouri and 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 became the rabbi of Temple Chayai Shalom in 2003. 

Her diversity of work experience reflects Rabbi Smith’s wide range of interests. She enjoys working with children, as well as adults, college students and senior citizens. She also has a deep commitment to Israel,
klal yisrael (Jewish unity), and Jewish learning.

Rabbi Smith is married to Adam Smith, a native of the Boston area, and a Jewish professional on the North Shore of Boston and has one son. 

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.