Rabbi Donald Goor, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Judea Tarzana, California, currently serves as Rabbinic Liaison at Daat Travel/ARZA World in Jerusalem and as campus rabbi at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Jerusalem. Rabbi Goor grew up in San Diego, California, as the son of a rabbi.He graduated the University of California at Berkeley (Go Bears!) with honors and distinction.In 1987, he was ordained at the HUC-JIR in New York.Rabbi Goor then joined Temple Judea where he remained for 27 years serving as senior rabbi. He is the Editor of the groundbreaking Life Cycle manual, L'chol Z'man v'Eit: For Sacred Moments, published by CCAR Press in 2015.

 

During his time in Los Angeles, Rabbi Goor served on the faculty of HUC-JIR where he taught second and fifth year rabbinic students, addressing topics that relate to the practical aspects of being in the clergy. Rabbi Goor continues his own studies at the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem as a fellow in the Center for Rabbinic Enrichment. .

 

Rabbi Goor co-founded the HOPE Network, the Valley Interfaith Council’s Homeless Project.He has chaired the Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance’s Jewish Community Relations Council, and co-chaired the Jewish Federation’s Cults and Missionaries Commission. Over his many years in Los Angeles, he was passionate about his involvement with One LA and Reform California – efforts in community organizing. Rabbi Goor currently serves on the board of Shutaf, an after school and summer camp program devoted to inclusion for Special Needs children and teens and the David Forman Foundation which furthers Social Justice in Israel.

 

In July of 2013, Rabbi Goor and his husband, Cantor Evan Kent, fulfilled a life dream and made aliyah.