Rabbi Michele Paskow Cohen of B’nai Emet Synagogue in Simi Valley has joined the teaching staff at CLU to share her knowledge of Hebrew language and literature.

After serving as a guest lecturer in past semesters, the rabbi has agreed to teach an upper division course titled "Biblical Hebrew Language and Literature" this semester.

Rabbi Cohen received her bachelor’s degree in Hebrew Language and Literature from UCLA and her master’s from Hebrew Union College.

Since 1989 she has worked at both USC and CSUN as a teaching assistant and part-time lecturer on Judaism and Humanities in Ancient and Medieval Jewish Society.

Rabbi Cohen also serves as a chaplain for the U.S. Army Reserve.

A multiple winner of Hebrew Union College Memorial Prizes, Rabbi Cohen has been recognized in the fields of Philosophy and Jewish History, Bible and Hebrew Proficiency, and Jewish Education, Liturgy and Commentaries. She also received the B’nai Zion Award for Excellence in Hebrew.

"We are delighted to have Rabbi Cohen teaching in our Religion Department this semester," said Department Chair Jarvis Streeter, Ph.D.

"With her knowledge of Judaism, she brings wonderful new gifts to our students as a person and as a professor," Streeter said.