ABOUT
CBS
Overview
>
Meet the Rabbi
Board
of Directors
Building
Project
Newsletter
History
of CBS
Heritage
Park
Contact
CBS
Rabbi J.B. Sacks leads our congregation for services, holidays and special events. His musical talents on the keyboard raise the spirit if the congregation at each service. Contact the Rabbi.
Rabbi J.B. Sacks was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (Conservative) in New York City, in 1986 and previously served synagogues in Jersey City, New Jersey (nine years) and in Arcadia, California (seven years). Rabbi Sacks joined CBS in 2002.
Rabbi Sacks is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international association of Conservative rabbis, and the Southern California Board of Rabbis.
He currently serves on the faculty of the Academy for the Jewish Religion (AJR) in Los Angeles, an alternative seminary that identifies itself as “transcommunal,” embracing and transcending all four branches of Judaism. His course offerings include required courses such as Introduction to Medieval Jewish Thought and Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought, as well as elective courses such as Post-Shoah Theologies, Zionist Thought and Jewish Conceptions of G_d.
In addition, Rabbi Sacks teaches in area universities such as the University of Judaism and Hebrew Union College as a Visiting Professor, usually in Bible.
Rabbi Sacks is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree at the Claremont School of Theology and recently completed his coursework toward his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible at Claremont Graduate University.
Rabbis Sacks hails originally from Monroe, Michigan and descends from 17 generations of rabbis on his mother’s side. While his father’s side cannot compete with this, rabbis are found on that part of the family tree as well. Growing up his family belonged to three congregations—one Orthodox, one Conservative and one Reform, which his parents founded.
Prior to studying for the rabbinate, Rabbi Sacks worked with migrant workers for both the Michigan Employment Security Commission and the Michigan Department of Social Services. As a rabbi he has long worked with issues of inclusion within the Conservative Movement, poverty and social justice concerns. He also has worked in areas of liturgical change. Among his publications which brings a number of these areas together is Journey to Freedom, a Passover Haggadah. Ka-Afikim Ba-Negev is a sourcebook for rabbis in leading change within their communities.
Rabbis Sacks has also been active within the Jewish community on HIV/AIDS issues. He founded the Interfaith Network of New Jersey, the oldest interfaith organization involved in helping those afflicted as well as offering support for family and friends. He also helped established the annual World Aids Day (December 1) observance at the Jewish Museum in New York City. He has also helped support groups for rabbis suffering with HIV.
He has background working with youth at Camp Ramah and Los Angeles Hebrew High School.
Rabbis Sacks received his A.B. degree in Spanish in 1978 from Ohio University (Athens, OH), where he received a special certification in Latin American Studies, graduating summa cum laude. He received a B.Lit. in Jewish Studies from the University of Judaism in 1982. He was honored there with the Isadore Familian Award in Talmudic studies. He addressed his graduating class in Hebrew. While there, he wrote a parody of West Side Story with the “gangs” being a group of Orthodox students from Yeshiva University Los Angeles and a group of Conservative students from the University of Judaism.
Donate to
the Building Fund
Your donation can make the difference! Donate
today.
Connections
Becoming a member of CBS is like joining a big family.
Join today.
