Rabbi Adina Allen

Rabbi Adina Allen is a prominent figure in the Jewish community, serving as the co-founder and creative director of the Jewish Studio Project (JSP), based in Berkeley, California. The JSP is dedicated to fostering creativity as a means of spiritual connection and social transformation within the Jewish community. It promotes a unique methodology known as the Jewish Studio Process, which integrates art-making with the study of sacred texts, allowing participants to explore and engage with Jewish teachings in innovative ways.24

Allen's background in art therapy, influenced by her mother, Dr. Pat Allen, has shaped her approach to combining emotional expression with text study. She believes that creativity can unlock personal insights and facilitate deeper connections to Jewish tradition. Her work emphasizes that art-making is not just an activity but a vital process for emotional processing and spiritual exploration.23

In addition to her directorial role, Rabbi Allen has recently published her first book, The Place of All Possibility, which reframes the Torah as a contemporary guide for creativity, further contributing to her vision of integrating art and spirituality.16 Through her leadership at JSP, she has impacted thousands, including educators and community leaders, by providing tools to navigate contemporary challenges through a creative lens.25