Rabbi Rachel Van Thyn (RVT) became Executive Director of the Women's Rabbinic Network on July 1, 2026. She works to strengthen and support women and gender-expansive rabbis throughout their careers while advancing a more just, equitable, and sustainable rabbinate.
Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, RVT was ordained in 2013. Before joining WRN, she served as a Clinical Pastoral Educator at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where she trained clergy and other spiritual caregivers to provide compassionate care during times of illness, crisis, transition,
and discernment. A board-certified chaplain, she is also the founder of Clara: Fertility Counseling & Support, which provides spiritual and emotional support to individuals and families navigating infertility and family building.
Earlier in her rabbinate, RVT served as Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, New York, and has worked with a wide range of congregational, educational, social justice, and healthcare organizations. She currently serves on the Advocacy Committee of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), which supports chaplain educators and their strategic
partners.
At WRN, RVT is committed to helping build a rabbinate in which every rabbi can flourish and every member can bring their full self to this sacred work.
