Rabbi Helen Bar-Yaacov

Rabbi Bar-Yaacov arrived in Charleston from the Croton-on-Hudson, NY area August 1, 2002. She said a nudge from Rabbi Koller, whom she has known for many years, brought her to West Virginia. When he was retiring he said, 'Why don't you apply to Charleston?' She applied, went through the interview process, and it turned out to be a good match.

Rabbi Bar-Yaacov holds dual citizenship in Israel and Australia. She and her sister, Frances, grew up in Melbourne. She immigrated to Israel in 1970, living on Kibbutz for 2 years before making Jerusalem her permanent home.

Rabbi Bar-Yaacov attended Liberal Yeshiva at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem. She earned a master's in Hebrew literature at Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York where she was ordained in May 2002.

She has an armload of credentials in her work and educational background. She has been a teacher, tour guide, lecturer, and student rabbi. She holds an undergraduate degree in sociology and political science from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She has taught Jewish history at a college in Melbourne and served as guest lecturer of Judaism and Modern Israel in churches and synagogues in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Her interests include walking, reading listening to music (opera is a favorite), going to the theater and enjoying the ballet.

Rabbi Bar-Yaacov says her true love is her job, as she shares sacred ground with people during services as well as the tough times and highlights of life.

Rabbi Bar-Yaacov said. "Working as a rabbi is a far greater joy than I ever imagined". " People here are wonderful. I fell into a pot of honey. God smiled on me. The people are enthusiastic and energetic. They are vibrant and active in the community."