Rabbi Justin Kerber

Rabbi Justin Kerber succeeded Rabbi Joseph Rosenbloom as Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanuel on July 1, 2009.

After graduating from West High School in Iowa City, Iowa, receiving his B.A. from Columbia University and a J.D. from Boston College Law School, Rabbi Justin practiced law in the Boston area for five years before deciding to become a rabbi.

He then spent the next five years at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio (with one of those years spent in Jerusalem) and was ordained in June 2007. His first rabbinical placement was as Director of University of Georgia Hillel.

His vision for Hillel was to create a place where Jewish students could not only socialize together, but also advocate for, educate on, and engage in constructive dialogue about Israel; empower themselves to participate in Jewish living and learning to the best of their ability, and pursue justice in the Athens, Georgia community and beyond.

He plans to use his experience with young adults at the University of Georgia to help Temple Emanuel become more relevant to younger people. His approach is to meet young people on their own terms (at the Temple, out in the community, online) doing things that interest them.

Rabbi Justin is married to Hope, a professional educator who has extensive experience with tutoring special needs children. They have a four-year old son, Eli.

Rabbi Joseph R. Rosenbloom, Rabbi Emeritus AND Senior Scholar

Rabbi Joe Rosenbloom assumed the status of Rabbi Emeritus and Senior Scholar at Temple Emanuel on July 1, 2009 upon the succession to the pulpit of Rabbi Justin Kerber. Rabbi Joe, as he is known to everyone, has served the Temple continuously since 1961, a period of time that covers practically the entire history of Temple Emanuel.

During his almost 40-year tenure at Temple Emanuel, Rabbi Joe has presided over nearly every life-cycle event for every member of the Temple. While this may make the transition to Rabbi Kerber seem like a tall order, Rabbi Rosenbloom plans to take a very active role with our Temple community as Rabbi Emeritus and Senior Scholar.

In addition to his position as the Rabbi of Temple Emanuel in St. Louis, Rabbi Rosenbloom has been an adjunct professor in classics at Washington University in Saint Louis. He is married to Gloria Rosenbloom, who is also very active in the Temple Community.