Rabbi Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi
I am honored to lead the Unshakeable Agudas Achim community — especially in these challenging times, I believe that days of flourishing are still before us, as we continue to learn and share experiences with each other, take care of each other, and discover the power and abiding strength of sacred community.
I grew up in the Chicago area and have had formative years in New Orleans, New York, Jerusalem, and Poznan, Poland. Here in Austin, membership and association at Agudas Achim is diverse and our approach in engaging tradition, text, and prayer is both rooted and creative — consistent in Judaism since Sinai. This daily discovery of meaning and connection is my life’s work and it is my delight to inspire and be inspired by talented partners and enthusiastic friends and community. Do join us, deepening the practice of sincerely exploring Judaism and Jewish identity — either online or in person.
About me: I am a husband and father of three. I am a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary (Rabbinical School, Cantorial School, and Graduate School), and of the Academy for Jewish Religion – California (Rabbinical School). In the Jewish world, I am involved in the Clergy Leadership Incubator (Mentor); the Shalom Hartman Institute – Jerusalem (Senior Fellow); Rabbis Without Borders (Fellow); and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (Hevraya). I am active in civic life in Austin, currently serving on the Executive Board for Leadership Austin and the Board of Directors of Texas Impact and Texas Freedom Network. I am also on the GRACE Task Force (Governor’s Response Against Child Exploitation), which fights child sex trafficking in Texas. I regularly convene conversations and evenings of jazz — exploring identity, heritage, and meaning — connecting Judaism, spirituality, and African-American traditions all within the storied history of the United States. I am proud to teach rabbinical and cantorial students studying at Academy for Jewish Religion (NY), and those studying for their degrees in Divinity at Austin Seminary, and The Seminary of the Southwest.
To contact me: rabbi@caa-austin.org
To make an appointment with me: admin@caa-austin.org; 512-735-8404