Wilshire Boulevard Temple Selects Rabbi Joel Nickerson to Succeed Rabbi Steve Leder as Next Senior Rabbi at Landmark Los Angeles Congregation
LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, October 5, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — Rabbi Joel Nickerson, a member of the clergy of Wilshire Boulevard Temple since 2019, has been chosen and unanimously accepted by the Board of Trustees to develop into the following Senior Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple efficient September 1, 2024, succeeding Rabbi Steve Leder after his 37 years of visionary management and distinguished service, it was introduced at this time by Scott Edelman, Temple President.
Rabbi Nickerson will develop into the tenth Senior Rabbi to guide the congregation since its founding as Congregation B’nai Brith in 1862; a beacon of Jewish life in Los Angeles all through its storied 161-year historical past of non secular, civic, and cultural management. He was chosen following a sturdy nationwide search that recognized a dozen potential candidates. 4 had been interviewed and thought of by a search committee – led by Board Vice-President Deborah Dragon – comprising a cross part of the congregation.
“Discovering a successor to Rabbi Leder has been a essential effort. His impression on the Temple and the broader group are extraordinary and will likely be felt for generations to return,” stated Temple President Scott Edelman. “The appointment of Rabbi Nickerson indicators the start of an thrilling new chapter within the evolution of Wilshire Boulevard Temple. I can not consider a extra becoming time to announce this essential management change than Simchat Torah, throughout which we have a good time the conclusion of the annual cycle of Torah readings, and start anew”
To determine essentially the most seamless transition potential, Rabbi Leder and Rabbi Nickerson will work collectively in the course of the subsequent 12 months and through an extra two years whereas Rabbi Leder continues as a part-time member of the clergy group. The congregation will have a good time Rabbi Leder’s management and legacy at a gala deliberate for Could 19, 2024.
“From this present day ahead, crucial mission in my rabinnate is the success of Rabbi Nickerson,” Rabbi Leder stated.
Along with distinguishing himself on the pulpit, Rabbi Nickerson is a compassionate and personable chief whose revolutionary strategy to prayer, programming, and group constructing have been highly effective additions to the Temple’s choices.
He conjures up and engages faculty college students, households, and adults of all ages and phases of life and Jewish expertise. Upon becoming a member of Wilshire Boulevard Temple 4 years in the past as Affiliate Rabbi, Rabbi Nickerson collaborated with Cantor Lisa Peicott, not too long ago elevated to the function of Senior Cantor, to ascertain a brand new collection of Koleinu providers – stunning, significant, musical and energetic celebrations for Shabbat and Excessive Holy Days which have attracted a loyal and rising following.
“There’s a heat and pleasure among the many individuals who name Wilshire Boulevard Temple dwelling. Regardless of our dimension, we’re a spot of intimacy, essentially the most welcoming of Jewish communities,” stated Rabbi Nickerson. “From our three Los Angeles campuses, a number of faculties, summer time camps, and rising on-line presence, we convey Jewish life and studying in new and thrilling methods to a big and multifaceted group in Los Angeles.”
Rabbi Nickerson joined Wilshire Boulevard Temple on July 1, 2019, from Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles, the place he was Co-Senior Rabbi. Upon ordination, Rabbi Nickerson served because the Senior Jewish Educator at the College of Pennsylvania Hillel. Throughout his tenure at Penn Hillel, he was answerable for working and increasing the impression of the Jewish Renaissance Undertaking (JRP), a program devoted to creating Jewish studying related for college students who had been peripherally concerned in Jewish life on campus. His work with JRP at Penn was featured in Rabbi Mike Uram’s e book, “Next Technology Judaism: How Faculty College students and Hillel Can Assist Reinvent Jewish Organizations,” and referenced in Ron Wolfson’s e book, “Relational Judaism: Utilizing the Energy of Relationships to Rework the Jewish Neighborhood.” Rabbi Nickerson has a captivating background that features an undergraduate diploma in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory College, analysis about monogamous bonding at the Emory Nationwide Primate Analysis Middle, and work within the CDC’s Rabies Lab.
Exterior his work at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Rabbi Nickerson serves on the Steering Committee of the Los Angeles Board of Rabbis and as a member of the Windward Faculty DEIB (Range, Fairness, Inclusion, & Belonging) Steering Committee. He cherishes spending time along with his spouse, Julia, and their three daughters.
Donald Levy
Wilshire Boulevard Temple
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