Prior to coming to the Flushing Reform temple, Ballan had three jobs. She commuted to Pennsylvania where she served a temple, completed her rabbinical training, was a bar and bat mitzvah tutor at Hollis Hills Jewish Center and also taught at Little Neck Jewish Center.
Her journey in becoming a rabbi was a progressive trip that led her to six years of study at the Academy for Jewish Religion in Riverdale.
“This is a second career for me,” said Ballan, who lives in Little Neck with her husband. The couple’s daughter is now in medical school.
A native of Long Island, Ballan is a graduate of Adelphi University. She later worked in the advertising and marketing field. In 1995, she decided to join a temple in Lynbrook, L.I., so her daughter could get a Jewish education.
Ballan became very active with the temple and worked closely with the rabbi there to develop adult education programs. She was asked to read from the torah, to help lead services and taught herself to chant for the High Holidays.
She eventually enrolled in Hebrew Union College to increase her knowledge of Hebrew. Then it was on to teaching. For the next eight years she taught Hebrew and Judaica to various grade levels in Nassau County temples before deciding to become a rabbi.
Ballan acknowledged that 20 years ago it was very unusual for women to become rabbis. “Now in the Reform movement, at least 50 percent in the seminary are women,” she said.
That does not include Orthodox Jews, who still do not allow women to head congregations.
“We’re catching up slowly,” Ballan said of women rabbis, noting that Temple Beth Sholom’s cantor, Sandra Goodman, is also a woman. A cantor helps lead services and does the chanting.
Ballan’s goals at the temple are to create more exciting services and appeal to a wider level of congregants. Members primarily come from the immediate area, Bayside, Long Island and Forest Hills.
“One of my biggest challenges is to keep the synagogue afloat,” she said, pointing to the current economic downturn.
The rabbi added the temple “is holding its own” with a large religious school and a fall bazaar that is a big fundraiser.
Ballan also wants to attract new members, noting the area has changed and there aren’t as many Jews living there as when the temple was founded almost 60 years ago.
People interested in learning more about Temple Beth Sholom should call (718) 463-4143. It is located at 171-39 Northern Blvd.
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