Rabbi enjoys serving community

By Claire Vereczky Malis Special to The Acorn

Rabbi Greenbaum

"My greatest challenge in life was preparing for the rabbinate and overcoming my fear of public speaking," said Rabbi Alan Greenbaum of Temple Adat Elohim, a Reform Jewish temple in Thousand Oaks with about 700 members.

Greenbaum was an 18-year-old living in Venice Beach when he became "aware to follow rabbinate" after attending a two-week leadership training session. He was greatly influenced by the speakers who emphasized the importance of helping the most vulnerable as a basic value of Reform Judaism.

Reform Judaism instructs believers to cultivate a love and understanding of heritage, teachings and values. It offers an opportunity to act with strength and common purpose in the performance of "mitvot" (good deeds) and furtherance of "tikkun olam" (giving back) in the healing of the world.

After graduating from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Greenbaum continued his religious education at the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion. He attended the Jerusalem campus for one year and the Los Angeles campus for two years.

Following his ordination in Cincinnati, Ohio, Rabbi Greenbaum served at Temple Israel in Memphis, Tenn., and B’Nai Israel in Galveston, Texas.

In 1984 he transferred to Temple Adat Elohim, at 2420 Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks, where he assumed the position of senior rabbi.

Rabbi Greenbaum and his wife, Dory, have six children: Michelle (currently in Israel), Joanna, (a senior at Westlake High), and adult children Josh, David, Rachel and Julie. (He proudly said all of them attended WHS before receiving college educations.)

Temple Adat Elohim, which was established in 1967, is a wonderful community, according to Rabbi Greenbaum.

"It has exhibited strength and purpose, and it is a pleasure to be associated with them." His "incomparable clergy staff" are Rabbi Rebecca DuVowe and Cantor Peter Halpern.

Rabbi DuVowe will conduct a seminar at 7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 25 at the temple. Although the event is geared toward the hearing impaired, Rabbi Greenbaum said the entire community is invited.

Another planned event is a community seder, which will begin at 6 p.m. on Sun., April 24. The seder will be led by rabbis Greenbaum and DuVowe.

For reservations or additional information about either event, call Temple Adat Elohim at (805) 497-7101.