Rabbi Ari Saks

Rabbi Saks, a veteran Conservative rabbi of 12+ years, serves as the spiritual leader of Torat Yisrael while living in Philadelphia and commuting to Torat Yisrael for 18 weekends/holidays over the course of a year. During these weekends/holidays, Rabbi Saks draws on his extensive background, knowledge, and creativity to create deep and meaningful relationships with members of all ages and develop innovative and inspirational educational and ritual-based programs and services for members of all ages.

 

Outside of his time at Torat Yisrael, Rabbi Saks focuses his efforts on reaching out to interfaith families, primarily through his podcast "Interfaithing: Why families can embrace two faiths under one roof,” and unique adult education curricula, seminars, and teachings for Jewish grandparents of interfaith families and fellow rabbis who want to deepen their connections with interfaith families.

 

Rabbi Saks is also active in teaching Jewish wisdom online as a lecturer at Gratz college, an adjunct professor at Stockton University, and a guest teacher for MyJewishLearning.com.

 

Finally, Rabbi Saks fulfills pastoral and life-cycle needs for unaffiliated Jewish families in the Philadelphia area and serves as a chaplain in the 17th district of the Philadelphia Police Department.

 

Rabbi Saks received smicha, an M.A. in Jewish Education and a B.A in Bible from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Columbia University in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures. He lives in South Philly with his wife Rachel and their two beautiful children – Jonah and Lilah.

 

If you would like to schedule an appointment or phone call with Rabbi Saks, please contact the synagogue office at (401) 885-6600.