On Tuesday, June 7, Sinai Temple in Los Angeles announced the board of directors’ approval of Rabbis Nicole Guzik and Erez Sherman as the congregation’s new senior rabbis. The married couple will jointly succeed Rabbi David Wolpe, when he transitions from senior to emeritus rabbi beginning June 30, 2023. Wolpe has led the congregation since 1997.
“When you’ve spent 25 years in a place, what you care most about are the people who are going to succeed you,” Rabbi David Wolpe said in a press release. “We are so lucky and so blessed to have such learned, charismatic and kind leaders as Rabbis Guzik and Sherman. I feel lucky, and Sinai is blessed, because they’ll make it your home.”
“Leading Sinai Temple is a professional dream come true,” said Guzik, whose appointment is historical; she will be Sinai’s first female senior rabbi.
Guzik, who began her tenure as a rabbinic intern in 2006, has served as a rabbi at Sinai since 2009. She currently supervises Beit Bracha, Sinai Temple’s program for children with special needs and learning differences, and helped launch Sinai Temple’s Mental Health Center. She received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2021.
“Rabbi Wolpe leaves tremendous shoes to fill,” said Guzik. “We are excited to hit the ground running, continuing to build the treasure that is the Sinai Temple community and ensuring that it remains a place where Jews of all ages and a wide range of backgrounds can find deep spiritual nourishment and growth.”
Sherman, who hosts the popular “Rabbi on the Sidelines” podcast, joined Sinai Temple as a rabbi in 2014. Through the Sinai Temple Israel Center, he has initiated Israel education among future rabbis around the United States. Sherman will pursue cantorial ordination in 2023.
“Sinai Temple will continue facilitating vital conversations between Los Angeles faith partners while holding the people and the land of Israel at the core of our rabbinate,” Sherman said. “We are thrilled to lead social action around this city and deepen Jewish connectivity within and beyond our community.”
Founded in 1906, Temple Sinai is the oldest Conservative congregation in Southern California. In addition to being the spiritual home to thousands of Jewish Angelenos, Sinai Temple provides community resources, including Jewish and secular education, meaningful social gatherings, Israel advocacy opportunities, young professional engagements and membership-based counseling and support services.
