Senior Rabbi Larry Sernovitz
Senior Rabbi Larry Sernovitz joined Temple Kol Emeth on July 1, 2020. He describes himself as an entrepreneurial rabbi, as well as a teacher, writer, speaker and community organizer. He has always had a deep curiosity about the world, humanity, and the role we are meant to play. Rabbi Sernovitz is passionate about the intersection of faith and secular life, dedicating his career to inspiring individuals and families to create sacred moments in their lives. His rabbinate is focused on education, interfaith matters, prayer and spirituality, the pursuit of social justice, and reconnecting those who have given up on Judaism and Jewish life. Creating meaningful lifecycle events have been important to Rabbi Sernovitz along with being present for families in their times of need.
In October of 2022, Rabbi Sernovitz was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. Additionally, he was awarded the Camden County (NJ) MLK Freedom Medal (2019), the Faith in New Jersey Social Justice Award (2018), the Ambassador Award from the New Jersey Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma (2016), and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission's Trailblazer Award (2013). In June 2019, his service to the community brought him to Washington, D.C. where he delivered the opening prayer for the United States House of Representatives.
Rabbi Sernovitz is a member of the Greater Atlanta Reform Clergy Association and the Atlanta Rabbinical Association. He currently serves on the boards of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in Atlanta, Hillels of Georgia, and is the vice-chair of the Cobb County Neighborhood Safety Commission. As a trained police chaplain, he serves the Cobb County Police Department. Rabbi Sernovitz is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2023.
Rabbi Sernovitz earned his Masters of Arts in Hebrew Literature and his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York and Jerusalem. He also holds a Masters in Education from Temple University in Philadelphia. Prior to becoming Senior Rabbi of Temple Kol Emeth, he served as the founding rabbi and executive director of Congregation Nafshenu in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Rabbi Sernovitz believes in the eternal hope of the Jewish people to be a light to the world, especially during the times we live in today. He enjoys cycling, enjoys yoga, running and coffee with a good book. Rabbi Sernovitz and his wife Becky are proud parents to three children.
Rabbi Sernovitz is looking forward to meeting you and hearing your story.
Contact Rabbi Sernovitz by calling the TKE office at 770-973-3533 or email at rabbisernovitz@kolemeth.net.
