Rabbi Andrew Jacobs
Rabbi Andrew Jacobs loves to teach.
His adult education classes make Judaism come to life. His
discussions with children and teens are challenging. He
incorporates learning into services and holiday celebrations in
ways that add to the meaning and spirituality of the moment. It
is not enough for us to educate our children," says Rabbi
Andrew, "we must educate our families so that Judaism is part of
our families' lives." Committed to family education, Rabbi
Andrew created "Adult Torah School" at Ramat Shalom, which meets
on Sunday mornings, while children are in Torah School. Instead
of dropping the kids off and doing some errands, parents can
park the car, come into the synagogue with their children and
learn along with them. " This is what it is all about," says
Rabbi Andrew.
Rabbi Andrew was raised by Jewish parents, but had no Jewish
education. His own Jewish journey began when he was a student at
Vassar College and continues today. He became a bar mitzvah when
he was 26 years old. As he tells us often, he knows firsthand
what it feels like to have questions about Judaism and be too
embarrassed to ask them. Rabbi Andrew reminds us that all
questions are good questions, all questions can teach. And he
believes that no matter what your Jewish background is, you have
the potential to teach others. We are all teachers and students.
On a regular basis, Rabbi Andrew officiates at a Shabbat service
during which one of our children becomes a bar or bat mitzvah.
If you have not experienced one of these services, or our
Kaballat Shabbat service, we invite you to do so. The energy and
warmth that Rabbi Andrew and our Cantor, Natalie Young, bring to
each service is wonderful.
Rabbi Andrew was ordained by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical
College in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. He holds a Masters of Arts
from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has studied at the
University of Judaism in California and The Hebrew University in
Jerusalem. He is involved in many local and national Jewish
organizations and causes and is strong supporter of Israel. He
serves as the President of the Broward County Board of Rabbis (www.browardboardofrabbis.org),
sits of the Board of Directors of the United Jewish Community of
Broward County (www.jewishbroward.org),
and serves as the Chair of the Jewish Alumni Association of
Vassar College.
Rabbi Andrew is the father of two young children. His wife,
Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs, is a Conservative Rabbi. Rabbi Cheryl is
the Rabbi at Jewish Family Service of Broward County and the
Director of the Jewish Healing Center (www.jfsbroward.org).
Please come and meet our Rabbi!
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