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Rabbi & CantorRabbi Eric J. Siroka
A native of Medfield, Massachusetts, Rabbi Siroka is a product of the Reform movement. Raised in a suburb of Boston, he and his family were involved in the Jewish community, especially at Temple Beth David of Westwood, where he received his initial Jewish education. Beginning there, Eric developed a life-long dedication to the values and principles of liberal Judaism. An active participant in the Temple's religious school and youth group, Rabbi Siroka also spent 11 seasons affiliated with the URJ Joseph Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Rabbi Siroka earned a B.A. in History from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1989, receiving the Jane and Jerrold Goodman Scholarship Award for Excellence in Jewish Studies. During his undergraduate years, he also remained active within the Reform movement, working in several program areas, especially NFTY -- the youth division of the URJ. A student leader, Rabbi Siroka was elected Hillel president, and then president of the University's College of Arts and Sciences. Between graduation and entering rabbinical school, Rabbi Siroka worked for Rashi, the Boston Area Reform Jewish Day School. He then earned a master's degree from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Always interested in the history of Reform Judaism, he wrote his thesis on the founding of the Reform movement in France. Rabbi Siroka was granted rabbinical ordination in June, 1995. Subsequently, Development of the Liturgy of the Union Liberale Israelite, an article gleaned from his thesis, was published in the scholarly Journal of Progressive Judaism, in its 1997 issue. Upon ordination, Rabbi Siroka joined the UAHC (now URJ) Outreach Department as its head of affiliation programming. He then served Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford Corners, New York, during a time of explosive growth in that community. In that capacity, he had the broad opportunity to be involved in all areas of congregational life, and particularly enjoyed the variety of teaching occasions with children, adults, and the wider community. Throughout his career, Eric has been active in a number of rabbinical and community organizations, cultivating important friendships with many professional and volunteer colleagues. Rabbi Siroka has varied interests, ranging from baseball to jazz, impressionism to collecting toys, and awe for great guitarists. He reads widely in Jewish and general history, loves exploring the topic of ritual practice, and is fascinated with synagogue architecture and leadership development. He maintains an ongoing academic interest in Bible, Theology, and Jewish History. Most significantly, Eric and his family are excited to share their enthusiasm for Jewish life, creating lasting and meaningful relationships with the people in their new community.
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Temple Beth-El is pleased to welcome Rabbi Eric J. Siroka as its new spiritual leader. Rabbi Siroka previously served the Or Chadash congregation in Flemington, New Jersey, for six years. Rabbi Siroka and his wife Debra, a professional Jewish educator, have two children -- son Benjamin was born in 1998, and daughter Vered arrived in 2001.
