Jack Bieler
Jack Bieler | |
|---|---|
יעקב ביילר | |
| Personal | |
| Born | Bayside, Queens, New York, USA |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Joan Bieler |
| Children | 4 |
| Denomination | Modern Orthodox Judaism |
| Alma mater | Yeshiva College |
| Occupation | Rabbi, educator |
| Jewish leader | |
| Successor | Rabbi Brahm Weinberg |
| Position | Founding Rabbi |
| Synagogue | Kemp Mill Synagogue |
| Began | 1990 |
| Ended | 2015 |
| Semikhah | Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary |
Jack Bieler (Hebrew: יעקב ביילר) is an American Modern Orthodox rabbi and educator, best known as the founding rabbi of Kemp Mill Synagogue in Kemp Mill, Maryland, where he served from 1990 until his retirement in 2015.
Early life and education
Bieler was raised in Bayside, Queens, New York. He attended local public schools before graduating from Yeshiva College and the James Striar School of General Jewish Studies in 1969. He then studied at Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh in Israel from 1969 to 1971. Bieler was ordained by the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and received a Master of Arts in Jewish Education from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Education in 1974.[1][2]
Career
Bieler began his career in Jewish education as a faculty member and Chairman of the Talmud Department at the Joseph H. Lookstein Upper School of Ramaz in New York City, where he served from 1974 to 1988. During this time, he was also involved in adult education, serving on the faculty of the Lincoln Square Synagogue's Adult Education Institute (1971–1977) and as permanent scholar-in-residence at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun (1977–1988).[1][2]
In 1985, Bieler received a Jerusalem Fellows fellowship and spent a year in Jerusalem with his family. Upon returning, he became the Lead Teacher and Chairman of the Judaic Studies Department at the Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington (since renamed as the Berman Hebrew Academy) in Rockville, Maryland. He later served as the Upper School Assistant Principal in charge of Judaic Studies from 1991 to 2005.[2]
In 1990, Bieler founded Kemp Mill Synagogue in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he served as the spiritual leader until his retirement in 2015.[2][3]
Contributions and publications
Bieler has published numerous articles on Jewish education and contemporary issues facing Judaism, particularly from the perspective of Modern Orthodoxy. His works include Divrei Torah, podcasts, and various writings.
One of his notable books is The Great Principle of the Torah: Examining Seven Key Ideas in Jewish Thought.[4]
Awards and recognition
In 1984, Bieler was awarded the Gruss Outstanding Educator Award. In 2013, he received the Rabbi Jacob Rubenstein Memorial Award for Outstanding Rabbinic Leadership from the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA).[5]
Personal life
Bieler is married to Joan Bieler, and they have four children.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Yaakov Bieler". The Lehrhaus. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ a b c d "Rabbi Jack Bieler - Our Founding Rabbi". Kemp Mill Synagogue. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ a b "Rabbi Jack Bieler". Kodesh Press. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Bieler, Jack. The Great Principle of the Torah: Examining Seven Key Ideas in Jewish Thought. 2020. ISBN 9781592645527.
- ^ Bieler, Yaakov (January 13, 2017). "Translating Theory into Practice to Revolutionize the Teaching of Talmud". The Lehrhaus. Retrieved July 9, 2024.