Appointed rabbi of the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation in 2006, the 41-year-old said although New Zealand initially appeared similar to her home country, one marked difference was the "tall poppy syndrome".
Whereas, people in her home country were proud to share their achievements, New Zealanders were more reserved.
"As an American Jewish feminist, I am an obvious tall poppy."
Her enjoyment of studying Judaism led her to become one of a growing number of women rabbis, a development supported by non-Orthodox movements.
Her work had taken her to Alaska and California before she came to New Zealand with her family.
New Zealand had a small "but vibrant" Jewish community and part of her role involved arranging liturgy, providing pastoral care and presiding over ceremonies such as weddings and rites of passage.
"I basically do the things a vicar would do."
In Dunedin this week on the invitation of the Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group, Rabbi Hershenson spoke at the Peace Lecture on the topic of Interfaith Interdependence in a Post-Modern World.
She plans to return to the United States in December to pursue a career in writing and film-making.
