Meet the 2025 Covenant Foundation Family Education Fellow: Eliana Light

Through her role as founder and Head T’fillahsopher of The Light Lab, and as artist-in-residence at Beth El Synagogue in Durham, North Carolina, Eliana has been helping families engage with t’fillah, Jewish text, and spiritual language in ways that are accessible, embodied, and deeply resonant for almost nine years. Rooted in Jewish song and ritual, Eliana’s work is both playful and profound.

This ability to open access points for spiritual expression across generations, powerfully aligns with the goals of the Jewish Family Education Fellowship, which supports the development of innovative programming and research in Jewish family engagement. Through her focus on prayer, music, and sacred language, Eliana offers families tangible and joyful tools for connection and resilience–helping them make meaning together in ways that are emotionally honest, spiritually nourishing, and deeply rooted in Jewish tradition.

“Eliana’s neshama, her divine spark, is evident to anyone who has ever watched her sing or teach,” said Joni Blinderman, executive director of The Covenant Foundation. “She is a masterful educator, and we couldn’t be more excited to see how she will bring her soulful music and learning to families across the country.”

Learn more about Eliana’s work at https://www.elianalight.com/.