Rabbi Rob in the News
I was ordained following five years of study in June 2019. It marked a turning point for Hawaii Jews as I am the first permanent, progressive Rabbi on Kauai.
In addition to being a regular service leader for the Kauai Jewish Community, I will be performing weddings for visitors and residents, officiating at celebrations of all kinds, and providing spiritual guidance wherever needed. I am also a member of the Kauai Inter-Faith Roundtable.
It was my honor to be featured in three articles.
I am excited to share what I know and to be part of a local and global Jewish community because there’s so much joy in that.
After being at the fringe for 15 years, I threw myself into the process 5 years ago. I studied both remotely and in New York City, with my mentor Rabbi Bill Kurry, Z”il. The process began with a formal conversion before a “beit din,” (Jewish court of three rabbis). I have been leading Shabbat services on Kauai for a number of years. His mentors encouraged him to study for the rabbinate, which I ultimately did.
As I was quoted, “Every part of my life is falling into place. When I look back at everything preparing me to do this, I really wanted the chance to continue to work with Rabbi Bill and the faculty of the Rabbinical Seminary International (RSI),” where he was ordained in New York in June.
I will be joining Rabbi Aryeh Azriel later this month, to assist with the High Holiday services for the Jewish Community of Kauai.
“In a world that seems to be increasingly divided, focusing on differences and what we are against, perhaps our common life with the Jewish Community can serve as a living reality that we are all one creation before God, and if we are to live into the love that we are created to be, we are going to have to do so together.”
