I was ordained as a Rabbi after six years of study at the Los Angeles campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, completing the rabbinic program as well as earning a Masters in Jewish Education. I grew up in the Reform Jewish world, attending URJ Camp Newman/Swig and URJ Kutz Camp, and served as the Religious and Cultural VP on the North American NFTY Board. I edited Birkon Mikdash M’at – NFTY’s Bencher, the Bencher used by the Reform Movement.

I am also a song leader, serving as Head Song Leader at URJ Camp Newman/Swig (’06-08) and working with dozens of communities throughout California. I graduated from UC Davis with a major in Political Science and a minor in Religious Studies in 2008 and was the Youth Director at Beth Israel from 2008 until my admission to HUC-JIR in 2011. During my time at HUC-JIR, I wrote, produced, and directed “The Book of Purim” (A parody of “The Book of Mormon”), and “Hatikvah,” a documentary which explores the nuances of our shared anthem. My capstone project was “TXTing The Text,” which began the creation of a new translation of the Torah into colloquial, teen English.

I also served as the Student Rabbi at Temple Beth Israel (Redding, CA), the Student Rabbi and Music Director at Congregation Kol Ami (West Hollywood, CA), and the Rabbinic Intern at Beth Israel. I have released 3 studio albums of original Jewish music featuring songs that have become standards at dozens of synagogues. I am married to Sarah Gimbel, PhD, and am the proud father of Ari Caleb and Maya Esther.

Below are links to my blog and films:

My article & film about Hatikvah from The Forward: http://forward.com/scribe/349321/tktk/

A Purim-shpiel film I wrote and produced with my first year rabbinical school classmates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qozz7aIE64

My blog which includes my sermons and other writings: http://jeremygimbel.com/blog.html

My HHD sermon from this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeKN7gTBak4