Rabbi Shira Singelenberg
Shira Singelenberg was named rabbi of Shir Hadash following her ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in May 2025.
Prior to her appointment, she served our community for two years as a rabbinic intern, through the RRC’s innovative field education program that provides rabbinic students with an intensive and immersive internship experience for their final two years of training. In the second year of the program, Rabbi Shira relocated to St. Louis and completed her rabbinic studies virtually.
Rabbi Shira is a proud native of Bethesda, MD, where she grew up immersed in the vibrant community of Ohr Kodesh Congregation. At home, her family created an environment that fostered curiosity and questioning, indicative of Jewish tradition. Shabbat dinner was a revered and memorable time and remains one of her favorite customs. She loves that Shir Hadash hosts monthly Shabbat dinners in members’ homes.
Rabbi Shira’s passion for history took root early, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in medieval and early modern studies from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Fascinated by sacred spaces and the ways people move through the world through architecture, she developed a particular focus on architectural history.
Throughout her time at the RRC, where she also earned a Master of Arts degree in Humane Letters, she engaged with diverse Jewish communities, always centering her work on fostering deep connections. Rabbi Shira guided students as the rabbinic intern for Hillel at West Chester University, enriched the lives of residents at Lions Gate, an assisted living facility in Voorhees, NJ., and as a chaplain intern at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, PA, where she provided multi-faith spiritual care. She has also taught for Reform and Reconstructionist synagogues, fostering her love for engaging with youth and their exploration of Judaism.
One of Rabbi Shira’s greatest joys is chanting Torah, where she finds her spiritual voice and helps others connect to eh living history of our tradition. Dedicated to deepening spiritual connections, facilitating learning, and building meaningful relationships, she strives to create a space where everyone can explore and celebrate their Jewish identity.
Read Shira’s “Sitting With Torah” commentaries
Contact Rabbi Shira
Rabbi Emeritus Lane Steinger
Rabbi Emeritus Lane Steinger has served Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community since 2009. Upon his "retirement" in June 2016, he was named Rabbi Emeritus and continues to be an integral part of our community, leading monthly TaNak/Bible Study and First Shabbat Dinner discussions and assisting with our pastoral and life cycle needs.
Also born and raised in St. Louis, Rabbi Lane earned a Masters of Arts in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1998, he was awarded the Doctor of Divinity honoris causa from HUC-JIR.
Rabbi Steinger and his wife Linda are the proud parents of Shira Kahan, Daina and Andrew Borteck, and Rafi and Erin Steinger, and the even prouder grandparents of Ethan and Marisa Borteck, Naomi and Leora Kahan, and Mallory Steinger.