Kol hakavod

Monroe Temple Beth-El will celebrate Rabbi Garry Loeb’s 25th anniversary as spiritual leader Monroe - An ancient Jewish teaching states: “Get yourself a rabbi (teacher) and acquire a friend.” Rabbi Garry Loeb, the spiritual leader of Monroe Temple Beth-El, has shown himself to be just that - a true friend to the Orange County community for the last 25 years. In recognition of his caring, nurturing, teaching and guidance, the synagogue will celebrate his 25th year with them with a gala celebration weekend on Nov. 12-14. The theme of the weekend is based on the biblical story of Jacob’s Ladder, and is entitled “Climbing to New Heights with Rabbi Loeb.” Loeb came to Monroe Temple Beth-El in the summer of 1985 with his wife, Jewish educator Sorel Goldberg Loeb, and their daughter and son. During his 25 years as rabbi in Monroe, Loeb has seen the creation and growth of a Jewish preschool and the expansion of the synagogue’s religious school. He has guided hundreds of Jewish teens to become Bar and Bat Mitzvah, presided over countless baby namings and married scores of Jewish couples. He has been a great source of comfort to bereaved congregants and those beset by ailments and other difficulties. He has taught hundreds of adults in continuing education courses. He has also taught at Mount St. Mary College and been a member of the Monroe Interfaith Clergy Council. In 2005, Loeb was elected president of the Regional Rabbinic Association and to a seat on the Board of Trustees of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. A native of Toronto, Canada, Loeb was ordained in 1981 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. After 25 years of service as a rabbi, the college awarded him an honorary doctor of divinity degree in 2006. Essential information Members of Monroe Temple Beth-El will celebrate Rabbi Garry Loeb’s 25 anniversary as their spiritual leader the weekend of Nov. 12 to 14. The theme of the weekend is based on the biblical story of Jacob’s Ladder and is entitled “Climbing to New Heights with Rabbi Loeb.” A high point of the weekend will be an elegant catered dinner and dance on the evening of Nov. 13. If community members have any questions about the gala weekend or would like to attend the dinner/dance, they are encouraged to call the temple at 783-2626.