In this episode of Worthy, Jess sits down with one of her closest friends and a respected leader in the Miami Beach Jewish community, Rabbi Joanne Loiben of Temple Beth Shalom, for a thoughtful conversation about self-worth, leadership, faith, and community.

Joanne shares why leadership and connection matter more than ever in today's world, and how growing up with a strong sense of self and self-discipline shaped her path. She reflects on the challenges of being a rabbi in modern times and the responsibility leaders carry — not only in guiding others, but in modeling self-respect, integrity, and values.

She opens up about her early doubts around faith despite being raised Jewish, and how an unexpected encounter with a rabbi during her time at a Jesuit college became a turning point. That moment — when someone recognized her potential before she did — led her to rabbinical school and ultimately to a life of service and leadership.

Throughout the conversation, Joanne emphasizes the importance of trusting signs, taking chances, and remaining open to paths that may look different than expected. She also speaks about working closely with teens and reminds us that the next generation is always watching — learning from how we speak about ourselves, the choices we make, and how we treat others.

At the core of this episode is the belief that self-worth is inherent — that we are all made in God's image — and that lifting one another up, moving away from scarcity, and honoring individual purpose creates stronger communities.

A grounded conversation on leadership, faith, purpose, and remembering your worth.

Rabbi Joanne Loiben is a Rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Miami Beach

www.tbsmb.org

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