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 Hillel 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.