I have been the rabbi at Monmouth Reform Temple since July 2006. I hope you will take the opportunity to get to know us. I am sure that you will be as happy as I have been at MRT. I received my rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in May 2002. Before that, I earned my B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in American History from the University of Maryland. I served as Associate Rabbi under Rabbi Scott Shpeen at Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany, New York from 2002 to 2006. I grew up in Randolph, Massachussetts, where I was active in my temple's youth group and religious school.
I love teaching Judaism and Jewish texts to people of all ages and levels. I am especially committed to our religious school and youth programs. I teach seventh graders and tenth graders (the confirmation seminar) weekly. I join our youth group for their programs whenever I can at both regional NFTY and local MRTSY events. I work with our Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class teaching Hebrew and "Back to the Sources: An Introduction to Torah, Talmud and Beyond" (based on Barry Holtz's book of the same name). I lead a weekly study session on Tuesday mornings focused on single biblical book each year. This year we will focus on the Books of Psalms. We will also study the Dead Sea Scrolls and their significance. Of course, my rabbinate includes much more than just teaching and hanging out with our teens and bar mitzvah students. I am deeply committed to Israel and organize many programs on Israel, including a temple trip to Israel every other year. The next trip will be in the summer of 2010 with Cantor Clissold. Our temple's commitment to tikkun olam, repairing the world, increasingly runs through all our activities. Social action must continue to be a cornerstone of Reform Judaism. The most important value in my rabbinic vision is the spirit of openness, support, and encouragement that I bring to all endeavors. I believe that we must do everything in our power to build multiple paths into the temple and Jewish living, open all doors, and remove any obstacles. There is a place here for each person, each family, and every need. I am always available to meet with you privately either at the temple or in your home. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I would love to meet you, spend time with you, and help you find a meaningful place in our community.
While I love MRT and cherish this community, I will be departing at the end of June 2010 to become the senior rabbi of Temple Sinai in Washington, D.C. MRT is very proud to announce that Rabbi Michelle Pearlman will be our next rabbi. She starts July 1st. She is a great fit for our congregation and I wish her and the MRT community Mazel Tov!
You can learn more about me and my guiding values by reading my rabbinic vision statement or listening to some of my past high holy day sermons (see the links below).
Shalom,
Rabbi Jonathan Roos (e-mail me)
