Rabbi Steinman was born in Los Angeles, California and spent her teenage years in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota with her parents and sister. She was an active member of Mount Zion Hebrew Congregation and participated in the many youth group activities run by NFTY.

Rabbi Steinman graduated from Brandeis University. She majored in history, with minors in Near Eastern and Judaic studies, and women’s studies. After graduation, she became a full-time volunteer for AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps in New York City. This year-long program enabled Rabbi Steinman to help low-income communities by providing them with important resources. It proved to be an invaluable leadership experience that allowed her to work toward social change while establishing a sense of Jewish community and Jewish values.

In 2003, Rabbi Steinman enrolled at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem. As a student at the Los Angeles campus, she served congregations in California and Montana in which she led services, organized holiday celebrations, taught and mentored b’nei mitzvah students.

After completing three years of service to Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto, Rabbi Steinman decided to continue her education. She is currently enrolled at the Rhea Hirsch School of Education of the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion where she received a degree in Jewish education in May 2012. As part of her learning, Rabbi Steinman served as an education intern at Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana, CA.

You can also follow her on twitter @rabbisteinman.