Rabbi Stern attended rabbinical school at the Los Angeles campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR). While there, Rabbi Stern also earned Master’s degrees in Hebrew Letters and in Jewish Education. During her final year in rabbinical school, she served as rabbinic intern at Peninsula Temple Sholom (PTS) in Burlingame. She stayed on at PTS for three additional years, serving as Assistant Rabbi.

In recent years Rabbi Stern has gotten more involved in Jewish justice efforts. She serves as a member of the Leadership Team of Reform CA and has been working to strengthen our many and various Beth El community's tikkun olam initiatives.

Rabbi Stern is married to Sean Holcombe, and they have two children, Leora and Jonathan.