Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington recently announced a new leadership team. In an innovative arrangement, Rabbi Dr. David Abrams and Rabbi Matan Peled will share the spiritual leadership of the congregation.
Abrams will lead Saturday morning Shabbat and holiday services, while Peled will lead Friday night Shabbat services and serve as education director of the synagogue.
Members of the community are invited to join Peled for his first Friday night service on Friday, July 19 at 7 p.m. and join Abrams on Saturday, July 20 at 9 a.m. Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6) is located in the original Wellington Mall at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace.
Abrams was the spiritual leader at Temple B’nai Jacob, Wellington’s only Conservative synagogue, for 10 years. For the last three years, he has served as rabbi emeritus.
Abrams, along with his wife and their four children, have always remained active members in the TBJ congregation.
“I am thrilled to take a more active role in the growth of TBJ again,” Abrams said. “We care so much about our synagogue family. This year, all four of our children will be attending the religious school. Together, with our kids, we will join hands with beloved members of TBJ and observe the beautiful gifts of Jewish life. I look forward to working with Rabbi Peled to build an even stronger TBJ community here in Wellington.”
A native Israeli, Peled brings a wide range of experiences to his new role at Temple B’nai Jacob as a spiritual leader and as the education director. His work experience in Israel included working with children in a therapeutic zoo and serving as a combat medic in the Israel Defense Forces. Since earning a degree in Jewish studies and his rabbinic ordination, Peled has served in Jewish education and congregational life at synagogues in Florida and Pennsylvania over the past 13 years.
“An important part of my rabbinate is meeting people where they are. If that means holding a Torah study class in sandals at the beach or leading a discussion on Israel at a coffee shop, then so be it,” he said. “Each community is unique, and so my first goal is to understand what is meaningful for TBJ’s members. I have so many exciting ideas for memorable programs for the religious school as well. I look forward to serving and helping to continue making our synagogue a vibrant, relevant and spiritual home for all.”
Temple Co-President Morry Silverman is pleased with the new arrangement.
“With Rabbi Abrams and Rabbi Peled, we bring together two caring and engaging leaders with strong commitments to Judaism,” he said. “We are thrilled to have this dream team of diverse backgrounds and experiences, which will enhance the Jewish community of western Palm Beach County.”
Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington is a Conservative, egalitarian synagogue serving the western communities of Palm Beach County. It is a diverse and multi-generational congregation committed to serving as a center for contemporary Jewish life.
Temple B’nai Jacob also offers a religious school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade in a warm, interactive environment.
For more information, call the temple office at (561) 793-4347 or visit www.templebnaijacob.com.
