Deborah was born in Morristown Tennessee and went to college at Brandeis, JTS, and Yeshiva University. She has an MS in Jewish education, an MA in Judaic studies, and an MSW in Social Work. She has also taken courses at Brovender's, Drisha, and Nishmat. She has worked for NYANA, served as Director of Senior Services at the Riverdale YMHA and has worked at the Claims Conference with holocaust survivors. Most recently after studying at the Pardes Institute Kollel she successfully completed Yoreh Deah studies with Rav Daniel Landes.