Before coming to Temple Beth El, Rabbi Jacob M. Lieberman served as rabbi and  spiritual leader of  Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Israel in  Ridgewood, NJ. During rabbinical  school, Rabbi Jacob  spent three years working with  college students at the Hillels at Temple University and  Swarthmore College,  served Temple Beth El in Newark,  DE for two years,  and interned with Limmud Philly.  Prior to rabbinical  school, Rabbi Jacob spent over 8 years working full-  time for economic and social justice.  

 As Director of Pride in Action at the Empire State Pride Agenda, an  LGBT rights and advocacy organization, he managed a team of program  and organizing professionals developing ally support in faith, labor and  business communities. Additionally, he worked as a lead organizer and  business representative in several unions, including SEIU Local 32BJ and  Local 6 of the New York Hotel Trades Council. Rabbi Jacob seeks to  transform individuals and communities through the power of Jewish  wisdom in our daily lives. Far from mundane, the everyday choices we  make have the ability to create and destroy worlds and lives. Rabbi Jacob  believes that inspired [+ Jewish] living starts today with wonder,  gratitude and curiosity. He mixes wit, openness, vision, community  building and social justice with spiritual growth then follows it up with  hard work, one day at a time. Rabbi Jacob is the father of two sweet sons,  Eliyashu (11) and Sima (6). He enjoys writing, biking, meditation, cooking,  gardening, hiking, and looking at the world each day with the gift of new eyes.