Brief Bio
Rabbi Mehring is a product of the Reform movement having grown up in San Diego, CA and credits Jewish summer camp for implanting in her the love of Judaism through music, community and creative prayer.
She completed her undergraduate education at UCLA and then she received a Master's degree in Physical Therapy from USC. For many years she had an orthopedic private practice before answering the call to become a rabbi. She sees this transformation as a perfect fit, moving from physical healing to spiritual healing and she continues a deep commitment to the mitzvah of bikkur holim/attending the sick.
She is now Rabbi Emerita at Congregation Ohr Tzafon in Atascadero, CA where she served for 20 years. Her current rabbinic work includes being on the Introduction to Judaism faculty at American Jewish University in Los Angeles and officiating at weddings throughout the US and abroad.
While at AJR, Rabbi Mehring served as a student representative on the Academy's Long Range Planning Committee and completed internships at Temple Ner Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in San Luis Obispo. She served as cantorial soloist at congregations throughout San Luis Obispo County. Rabbi Mehring began AJR as a cantorial student before redirecting her studies to become a rabbi. Her rabbinic thesis is titled " The Sh'ma and Her Blessings: Connecting the Soul to the One, with insights from Rabbeinu Bachya Ibn Pakuda"
It is still through Jewish music and the art of the cantorate that this 'singing rabbi' finds deep spiritual connection and depth. She has sung locally with Cuesta Master Chorale and currently with Canzona, a women's chamber vocal ensemble.
Rabbi Mehring has served on the Advisory Committee of the ADL (Santa Barbara/TriCounties), Board member of People of Faith for Justice, a member of the San Luis Obispo Ministerial Association. She is the rabbinic director and a founding member of the Central Coast Community Chevra Kaddisha.