The Virtual Beverly Hills Ball 2.1 will honor Rabbi Jonathan Aaron for 25 spiritual, musical and meaningful years as Rabbi at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills on June 4, 2021. Rabbi Jonathan Aaron, our Senior Rabbi, is a Jewish educator and artist with a passion for Jewish music, culture, and text.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from Emerson College, and Master’s Degrees in both Jewish Education, and Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College, he was ordained as a Rabbi in 1996. Rabbi Aaron has served Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills for over 20 years, in many roles including Director of Education, and Head of Temple Emanuel Academy Day School and Associate Rabbi.

Rabbi Aaron writes much of the liturgical music that we use in our services, especially in our signature service, The Roven Family Shabbat Unplugged. He writes contemporary prayer experiences, including services of Healing, Selichot, and Shabbat, as well as a full length intergenerational musical, Hyrcanus. Rabbi Aaron is a masterful storyteller, bringing folk tales and biblical stories to life as he delights children and adults alike. Purim Shpiels combine theater, music and storytelling in wonderfully compelling multi-generational interactive performances.

Rabbi Aaron serves the broader community as Chaplain for the Beverly Hills Police Department, and is on the Board of Directors at The Maple Counseling Center. He is a visiting professor of nearly 20 years, teaching speech to rabbinical students, at Hebrew Union College — Jewish Institute of Religion.

It is a distinct pleasure to celebrate our Senior Rabbi during Shabbat Unplugged, the service Rabbi Aaron himself curated and brought to the Temple Emanuel community so many years ago.