Lisa Halberstadt
Board Member

Lisa Halberstadt, M.S., began her career as a psychotherapist in college counseling centers before turning to psychiatric research.  She spent 20+ years at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics at Virginia Commonwealth University, working on studies of the etiology of psychiatric and substance use disorders.  Retiring early to engage in family elder care, she pursued her long-held interest in contemplative practices. Lisa’s interest in exploring the intersection of mindfulness meditation and Judaism led her to complete the Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program through the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.  She has offered Jewish meditation classes through the local Jewish Community Center and other nonprofits in Richmond, VA, as well as Shabbat meditation sessions at her synagogue.  She also is a trained teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion and Wise Aging.

After reading about the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom in the New York Times in Fall 2016, Lisa launched the first chapter in Richmond, VA, and served as co-leader for over five years.  She is thrilled that there are now two chapters in the former capital of the confederacy!  In addition to serving on this board, she serves on the boards of The Innerwork Center and Congregation Or Ami.  Other current volunteer engagement includes Feed More, IRC refugee resettlement, VA League of Women Voters, REPRO Rising (formerly NARAL VA), and OCRA Survivors Teaching Students.  In her free time, Lisa enjoys weaving, hiking, traveling with her husband Jeff, and spending as much time as she can with their two grown sons, their partners, and grandchildren, all in NYC.