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Rabbi to speak at Jewish Community Centre

On Friday November 21, at 7.

On Friday November 21, at 7.30 at the Jewish Community Centre in Victoria, the regular Kabbalat Shabbat Service will be led by Rabbi Leigh Lerner, who will speak on Reform Judaism in Israel: Start-up Nation’s Spiritual Counterpart – how, like so many Israeli start-ups, Progressive Judaism has moved from a small upstart movement to a valuable part of Israeli life.

Born in Minneapolis, MN, Rabbi Lerner graduated from Duke University with a degree in English, after which he entered Hebrew Union College. He was ordained in 1972. Rabbi Lerner’s first pulpit was at Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he soon became Senior Rabbi. He is especially proud of being instrumental in renewing Black-Jewish dialogue in that city.

In March 1989, Rabbi Lerner was appointed Senior Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in Montreal. Here he quickly immersed himself in the community, learning French, becoming a Canadian citizen, and earning a vital place in the hearts of his congregants.

During his 23-year tenure there, Rabbi Lerner was very involved in Montreal’s diverse communities, working with ARZA and advocating for LGBT rights and inclusion at the Temple Emanu-El-Beth-Sholom. He has written numerous articles and editorials. Rabbi Lerner received his Doctor of Divinity degree from Hebrew Union College in 1997 and retired to become Rabbi Emeritus in 2012. Currently and for the last 2 years, he is a Volunteer Rabbi at Beth Shalom Milano, Milan, Italy, and Shir Hadash Firenze in Florence.

You can read more of our interfaith articles on our blog, Spiritually Speaking HERE