The Academy for Jewish Religion, California (AJR-CA), graduated its 10th class of rabbinic and cantorial ordinees last month. The transdenominational seminary has graduated close to 90 rabbis, cantors and chaplains since 2003, and nearly all have found work in Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and non-denominational synagogues, as well as in schools, hospitals and other institutions. Many of the graduates of AJR-CA, based at the Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center at UCLA, came to the academy after full careers in other fields.
Five rabbis and one cantor were ordained June 10 at Stephen S. Wise Temple. They are: Rabbi David Baron, who will continue his primary work in the high-tech industry, while also writing a midrashic novel and providing spiritual guidance in the San Diego Jewish community; Rabbi Lisa Bock, who will serve as rabbi of Temple Ner Ami in Camarillo; Rabbi Elihu Moshe Gevirtz, who will be an educator at Camp Ramah in California’s organic agriculture program; Rabbi Susan Beaglehole Goldberg, who will continue to serve as spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock, and as Eastside Outreach Coordinator for Wilshire Boulevard Temple; Rabbi Yisraela Sherwood Tubman, who will be the chaplain at Hallmark West Hills Assisted Living; and Cantor Frances N. Burgess, who will be the music director at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco.
