Dov Peretz Elkins was born in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Gratz College for Hebrew Teachers (1958), received his B.A. in literature from Temple University (1959), and his M.H.L. from the Jewish Theological Seminary (1962). He was ordained as a Rabbi in 1964. He received his doctorate in counseling and humanistic education in 1976 at Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He also has an honorary Doctor of Divinity from his alma mater, the Jewish Theological Seminary. In 1997 he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Gratz College.

After 2 years as military chaplain at Fort Gordon, Georgia (1964-66), Rabbi Elkins became Associate Rabbi of Har Zion Temple of Philadelphia. From 1970 to 1972, he served as spiritual leader of the Jacksonville Jewish Center in Florida. From 1972 to 1976, he occupied the pulpit of Temple Beth El, Rochester, New York, one of America's largest and most prestigious congregations. From 1976 to 1985, he maintained a private practice in Pastoral Counseling, and was consultant to synagogues and many national Jewish organizations. Resuming his pulpit role, he became Senior Rabbi at The Park Synagogue, Cleveland, Ohio, and now is Rabbi  Emeritus at The Jewish Center, Princeton, New Jersey. Since retirement from Princeton he has filled in at a number of congregations as �interim rabbi.� A nationally known lecturer, educator, workshop leader, human relations trainer, organizational consultant, author, and book critic, he has written widely for the Jewish and general press, including such journals as Reader's Digest, New Woman, The Christian Century, Judaism, Religious Education, The Reconstructionist, Hadassah Magazine, Conservative Judaism, and many others. He served as editor of Beineinu, the national organ of the Rabbinical Assembly, as book editor of Torch, journal of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, and is a regular book reviewer for several Anglo-Jewish weeklies throughout the country.  He has edited and authored over thirty books.

Download Rabbi Elkins' Rosh Hashanah Sermon
Rabbi Elkins' web sites:  www.JewishGrowth.org   and www.WisdomofJudaism.org

It is a great privilege and joy to serve as Rabbi at B'nai Jacob this year. I feel honored to stand in the pulpit that was filled in prior years and decades by many distinguished spiritual leaders.

Every rabbi has his areas of major interest. Mine are Shabbat observance (at home and at synagogue), adult and family education, fostering Israel activism, and helping families find deeper meaning and spiritual significance at their times of both celebration and sorrow.

I look forward to a year of fulfillment and celebration at B'nai Jacob, with a plethora of opportunities to learn and grow.

Please feel free to call, visit, email, or contact me any way that is best for you. My door is always open.

L'shalom,

DOV PERETZ ELKINS, Rabbi