New beginning: Louisville's newest rabbi preps for 'candid' sermon ahead of Rosh Hashanah

A new beginning.

For the first time in more than four decades, the Adath Jeshurun synagogue has a new rabbi, who will deliver his first sermon just in time for the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Senior Rabbi Joshua Corber, a Vancouver native, took over the helm of the AJ congregation, a synagogue at 2401 Woodbourne Ave., with a base of about 400 families, two months ago. Corber, 40, is only the fourth rabbi in the congregation's 100-year history ― and he has big shoes to fill as he prepares to deliver a candid sermon during Rosh Hashanah, which begins Sept. 25.

"I'm going to speak very honestly and very frankly with the community," Corber told the Courier Journal. "It's really going to be a way to introduce myself. I'll explain a little bit about the process of my thinking about things, particularly, things of relevance for the high holidays [and] how to live enriched, meaningful, happy lives."

This year, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins on Sunday, Sept. 25, and ends the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 27. Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year" or "first of the year," and is always observed on the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, either in September or October.

Rosh Hashanah also commemorates the beginning of the world, marking the start of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of atonement ending during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism.

It's one of the most important periods on the Jewish calendar, something not lost on Corber or retiring Rabbi Robert Slosberg, who has been Corber's biggest advocate. Slosberg has worked closely with Corber, ensuring a seamless change of power after serving the AJ congregation for nearly 42 years.

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"I have the best job in Louisville," Slosberg said. "My chief responsibility is to work with a talented young colleague to facilitate a smooth transition and to be of guidance whenever he seeks advice. I am very proud of Rabbi Corber. I am confident that his first High Holiday services in Louisville will be memorable."

Corber recently moved to Louisville from Toronto, Canada. While an international move wasn't part of Corber's initial plan, a shift in the country's economy prompted Corber and his wife Chloe, to look elsewhere.

"You either have massive metropolis cities where it's too expensive to live at any synagogue or you have small cities where there are no synagogues," Corber said. "I got frustrated enough to start looking at the states and Louisville caught my eye."

Corber,a fitness enthusiast who can often be found rollerblading to the temple, said the AJ congregation piqued his interest for many reasons, but the commitment and support of the congregants sold him on the idea of moving.

"When rabbis look for jobs, we are not looking at a location and then trying to find a synagogue in that location," Corber said. "We look at the particulars of each job and we go to wherever that job is."

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Corber was raised as a Reform Jew, a major denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of the faith, and was ordained as a conservative rabbi,a position where he views Jewish law as both binding and subject to historic development.

"I do not know many other colleagues with his varied background," Slosberg told the Courier Journal. "He is a creative, articulate speaker who has a very warm and endearing presence. He has added several creative touches to our worship services and programs.

"I enjoy listening and learning from Rabbi Corber," he added. "His sermons are very interesting and down to earth. He applies the best of Jewish wisdom to spiritual issues we are facing today."

Corber, who has grown close to Slosberg during the past seven months, said the elder rabbi is an "incredible mentor."

"Because he's my father's age, it's kind of like having somewhere between a dad and a mentor. Something that I never had in a synagogue," he said.

The warm welcome he's received from Slosberg has been echoed by his congregants.

"We are excited to usher in our newest rabbi, for the first time in over four decades, just in time for the high holidays," said Shannon Benovitz, who has served on the synagogue's board and executive committee for the past five years. "I look forward to hearing all the messages for the new year from all of our wonderful clergy."

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, Corber drew parallels between the new year and being in a new location.

"The best way to enter into the new year is to do a shinui of your rosh," he said. "To make a change of your headspace, make a change in your mind."

And this Holy Day sermon is just the beginning.

"I am honored to have him as my successor and look forward to watching his rabbinate impact our congregation and community," Slosberg said.

Reach Culture & Diversity reporter Jason Gonzalez at jgonzalez1@gannett.com.

Rosh Hashanah services at Adath Jeshurun

WHAT: Adath Jeshurun will host a variety of services and events for Rosh Hashanah, including a New Year's Eve Party

WHEN: Sept. 25-27

MORE INFORMATION: For service times and more information, visit adathjeshurun.com/calendar

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Rabbi Joshua Corber celebrates first Rosh Hashanah at Adath Jeshurun