SoFlo BUZZ: New rabbi at Temple Beth Orr

Temple Beth Orr in Coral Springs welcomed its new rabbi July 1.

Rabbi Laura Rappaport’s first service at Temple Beth Orr was held via Zoom on Friday, July 3.

Michael Koss, President of Temple Beth Orr, said that Rabbi Rappaport has been described as “very caring, welcoming, and gets involved with each member of the congregation”.

Rabbi Rappaport served as the Associate Rabbi and Educator at Temple B’nai Shalom in Fairfax, Virginia. She has a background as a pulpit rabbi, a director of congregational learning, a board-certified hospital chaplain, a director of non-profits, an adjunct college faculty member, and the mother of two.

Rabbi Rappaport grew up in rural Northwest New Jersey and received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She received her M.A.H.L. and rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (Jerusalem and Cincinnati campuses). She has also completed masters’ level courses in bioethics from Rush University and University of Washington and doctoral level courses in Jewish studies from Spertus College in Chicago.

Rabbi Rappaport is immensely proud of her two daughters, Tanya and Rosa. Tanya is a registered dietician, working for a non-profit in Seattle. Rosa is an environmental resource engineer, currently living in Tel Aviv. Rabbi Rappaport enjoys running/working out, indie/alternative music, listening to The Moth and This American Life, hiking, and occasionally playing the hammered dulcimer.

Temple Beth Orr is a multi-generational and multi-ethnic community, made up of singles, couples, interfaith, and gay and lesbian families. It is located at 2151 Riverside Drive, Coral Springs.