My approach to Jewish education is rooted in the belief that your Jewish journey should be transformative. As a teacher and guide, my role is to help you explore, question, and grow. By providing a framework, ancient texts, and historical context, I give you the tools and knowledge to make informed, personal choices. My students have even affectionately called me “Rabbi Yergin: Resource Queen,” a title that reflects my commitment to providing extensive resources.

Almost the entire Conversion class of 5785 with their clergy (2025).

Two congregants and their daughters as one partner and the girls finalized their conversion. Fun fact: I officiated at the dads' wedding on the same bima! — **Two congregants and their daughters as one partner and the girls finalized their conversion (2025).**
**Fun fact: I officiated at the dads’ wedding on the same bima! (See the home page for those pictures!)**

The Introduction to Judaism and Conversion Program

Since 2015, I have guided over 150 individuals on their Jewish journeys through the Introduction to Judaism and Conversion Program. I established this program, and it has since been recognized for its excellence and innovative approach. It was even featured at the Gerecht Seminar, an educational retreat for rabbinic seminary students.

To see an example of how this has been recognized, read my interview on the URJ blog at https://urj.org/blog/introduction-judaism-five-best-practices-try.

Diverse Classes & Themes

I have had the honor of leading diverse adult education series and classes on a variety of critical topics. These include and are not limited to:

Mishkan T’filah and Mishkan HaNefesh
Reform and Progressive Judaism in Israel, Jewish Genealogy (below), and Death and Dying, with a focus on Reform responsa understandings of cremation, organ donation, and tahara.
Ethical misconduct in the Reform movement and Revelation in Relation to Women
Parashat- and nature-based text studies, and specific holidays

I led a Tisha B’Av text study before we made a mosaic art piece which represented the creation of something whole that was once broken (2024).

With my fellow panelists and congregants during a program highlighting Temple’s social advocacy work over 150 years (2024).

High-Impact Events

I believe in creating opportunities for the community to engage with a variety of thought leaders and contemporary issues. In 2023, I led a program with Former US Ambassador Dennis Ross that engaged over 200 attendees in a discussion on the impact of October 7th on Israel, the US, and the Middle East. In 2024, I attended a congregational event with Rabbi David Wolpe that also had over 200 attendees.

You can view the full program here with my introduction of Dennis Ross at 13:14 and the Q&A at 1:14:00.

San Antonio Clergy with Rabbi David Wolpe for his lecture for over 200 attendees at Temple Beth-El (2024).

Creative Resources

As an avid user and beta tester for Sefaria, I have contributed to the development of the site and its source sheet builder. I have authored over 270 highly-viewed source sheets, leveraging the platform to create innovative text studies and adult education programs.

You can view my full collection of source sheets, which include sheets from some of the classes listed above, at: https://sefaria.org/profile/marina-yergin.

Past Course: Tracing Jewish Roots

In 2020 and 2021, as everything moved to Zoom, it created a new way for you to “see me in action.” The below is one course I created and taught during that period at Temple Beth-El, San Antonio.