Ziva Gunther

Ziva Gunther is a fourth-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. Born in Texas and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she has long been passionate about Torah, Jewish learning, and building a vibrant Jewish community. Over the years, she has served her home congregations in leadership roles, including committee chair, lay leader, Sunday school teacher, and board member, experiences that continue to shape her approach to Jewish leadership and service.

Ziva recently completed 2 years as the Student Rabbi for the Jewish community of Ogden, Utah. 

Ziva writes, “I am excited to begin serving as Or Ami’s Rabbinic Intern. I am particularly drawn to teaching and learning together, and exploring Torah through different lenses, such as language, poetry, and creativity, to help ancient texts speak meaningfully to contemporary life.”

In addition to her congregational work, Ziva is committed to supporting the future of the rabbinate through student leadership. She served as the 2025–2026 Representative to the Student Life Committee for the HUC Los Angeles campus, and as the HUC Women's Rabbinic Network Student Liaison for a second year.

When she is not studying, teaching, or leading services, Ziva enjoys cooking and baking, scrapbooking, watching Formula 1 racing, and embracing her title as a “self-proclaimed nerd.” She is always eager to learn something new and to share that sense of curiosity and joy with the communities she serves.