Jacob Herber arrives in Norfolk July 15
Cyclist, scholar, father, mentor, musician, soccer, hockey, and baseball fan, U.S. history buff, Coast Guard Chaplain…and rabbi.
That pretty much describes Jacob Herber, who assumes the pulpit at Norfolk’s Congregation Beth El in mid-July. “I am really looking forward to living and working in your community,” says Herber, who grew up in Beacon, a small town outside New York City where he received his grounding in Judaism. “At 13, I was often the 10th in a minyan.”
But his family moved to the suburbs of Sacramento shortly afterwards where “I was one of two Jews in my high school.” College was at UC Davis. “I majored in history and thought I was headed to law school, even worked for a while for the chief of staff for San Francisco Mayor George Moscone.”
Ultimately, though, Herber decided his interest was more in Jewish than secular law, so it was back east to New York. “I spent six years at the Jewish Theological Seminary, then became an assistant rabbi outside Philadelphia before moving to Milwaukee to be chief rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid for 15 years.” He also served two terms as head of the Wisconsin Board of Rabbis, taking time off in 2008 to travel to Uganda with a host of other leading conservative rabbis to supervise the formal conversion of more than 200 members of the Abayudaya community that had long practiced Jewish rituals.
A rising star in the rabbinic ranks, Herber next earned a fellowship at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, a leading research and educational center serving Israel and world Jewry, then joined their national staff. “That experience, which included working with rabbis across the country, taught me how to look at Torah in a different way, particularly focusing on values and pluralism, seeking truth through debate but without disrespecting others.” Oh do we need that today.
Missing the day-to-day life of being a shul clergy, Herber returned west, becoming rabbi at Herzl Ner Tamid outside of Seattle, serving there the past five years. When he wasn’t delivering sermons or leading classes, the rabbi was often tending to the spiritual needs of Coast Guard personnel as a chaplain, which also included assisting Navy personnel in the area. An avid outdoorsman, Herber was often on his bike. “I was on a major racing team in Milwaukee, and when I got to Washington state, I started an affinity group within the synagogue.”
But Rabbi Herber, who also plays a mean electric guitar, missed the east coast. “My teams are the Yankees in baseball and the Rangers in hockey, as well as the Chelsea Soccer club in England.”
Now divorced, he is very close with his two accomplished adult children. “My daughter went to Dickinson College in Pennsylvania and while there earned an internship in the Israeli embassy in Washington DC.” Herber says she was so impressive that they offered her a job after graduation. “Today Mychal is the communications director, working closely with the ambassador.” Son Adin could be here in Hampton Roads someday. “He is currently in Navy boot camp with hopes of becoming a Seal,” says his proud dad. “After training in Coronado, he might be assigned to Virginia Beach.”
“Jacob Herber’s background was so impressive that when he applied to be our rabbi, we couldn’t wait to meet him,” says Beth El president and former Navy Admiral Herm Shelanski. “He blew everybody away when he visited and led services. It was an easy decision for our search committee.”
Both Herber and Shelanski are American history enthusiasts. Indeed Shelanski, who has already bonded with his new hire over their shared Philly roots, is anxious to take the Rebbie to places like Monticello, Yorktown, and Williamsburg. “I cannot wait to do that,” says Herber, “and it’s wonderful that I’m coming to Virginia right as the country is about to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. I hope to engage the congregation in programs around that period.”
Herber plans to be in his Ghent office sparingly. “I am very aware that most of the congregants live in Virginia Beach, so I intend to spend time in coffee shops there including the Cardo Café (at the Sandler Family Campus) to meet congregants and others in the Jewish community. I want to listen and get to know your customs and traditions, hopes, and dreams. I am very forward looking though, appreciating that the conservative movement has challenges, and we need to adapt.”
When in Tidewater in February, “it was so comfortable and welcoming,” he recalls, “a place I knew immediately I could be happy and productive. It felt like putting on gloves that fit perfectly.” Sounds like this experienced Jewish professional will find a home where he can share his multiple talents and love of his faith.
