Rabbi Jacob Adler
Temple Shalom of Northwest Arkansas
Fayetteville
Q: List your education and work experience.
A: A.B. (bachelor of arts degree), philosophy and mathematics, Harvard University, 1976; doctorate, philosophy, Harvard University, 1985; MAHL (master of arts in Hebrew Letters) and Rabbinic Ordination, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, 2006; Since August 1984 I have taught philosophy at the University of Arkansas. This remains my full-time job; Since 2006 I have been rabbi of Temple Shalom.
Q: What was your call to ministry?
A: A long story. I'll try to make it short. When I moved to Arkansas, I was an agnostic. I used to go to synagogue just to spend time with fellow Jews. One week, the rabbi couldn't come. I was the only one there who could read from a Torah Scroll. Overcoming my agnostic scruples, I went ahead and read from the scroll as part of the service. I felt as if God were pointing a finger at me and saying with a smile, "Now we'll see what kind of agnostic you really are!" It was not until many years after that that I felt called to become a rabbi, but that was the major turning point.
Q: Tell us something most people don't know about you (community involvement, hobbies, travel, family, other).
A: I play mandolin sometimes at services at the synagogue. Previous work experience includes working in our family hardware store (Adler's, Providence, R.I., founded 1919) and in the Dana Greenhouse of the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Q: What is the message you work to share?
A: People need to open their eyes to see the miracles that are with us every day.
Q: Which part of your job fills the most of your time?
A: Conducting worship services.
NAN Religion on 06/28/2014