Rabbi Braver never expected to become a rabbi, despite his mother’s early suggestion, but during his final year at Brandeis University, where he studied history and politics, he found strength in Jewish practice during challenging times. Inspired by his childhood Jewish day school education and the writings of Abraham Joshua Heschel, he began exploring Jewish learning more deeply. After college, he tutored students from low-income neighborhoods at City on a Hill Charter Public High School in Boston while becoming active at Kehillath Israel. Encouraged by a mentor, he studied at Yeshivat Hadar in New York, which ultimately led him to pursue rabbinical ordination. He graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2016 with rabbinic ordination, a master’s in Midrash and Scriptural Exegesis, and a certificate in pastoral care. He spent three years as a Rabbinic Fellow at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, where he taught, led services, and supported families. Today, Rabbi Braver serves as associate rabbi at Congregation Tifereth Israel in Columbus, Ohio, where he leads programs for young children, 20s/30s, and adult learners, while helping launch new initiatives that strengthen the community’s Jewish life and learning.