RABBI JOSEPH TELUSHKIN is an author whose works have sold more than half a million copies -- among them, "Heaven's Witness," co-written with Allen Estrin. He has also written for the Emmy award-winning television series, The Practice, and co-wrote (again with Allen Estrin) an episode of Touched by an Angel especially for synagogue member, Kirk Douglas, about an 83-year-old man experiencing a crisis of faith.

He lectures throughout the United States and abroad and commutes semi-monthly to Los Angeles where he shares our bimah with Rabbi David Woznica in conducting Shabbat services at the University of Judaism for Synagogue For The Performing Arts. High Holy Day services are generally conducted at The Beverly Hilton. The rabbi has been our spiritual leader since 1993. During that time, he was named by Talk Magazine as one of the 50 best speakers in America. Most recently, he was recognized by Newsweek for being among the Top 50 Influential Rabbis in America.

Rabbi Telushkin was ordained at Yeshiva University in New York and subsequently pursued graduate studies in Jewish history at Columbia University. He was Director of Education at Brandeis-Bardin Institute, a Jewish education facility located in Simi Valley. He is an associate of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and lives in New York with his wife, Dvorah, and their four children.
__________________________________________________________________

RABBI DAVID WOZNICA is a rabbi at Stephen S. Wise Temple in Los Angeles. With a membership of over 3000 families, Stephen S. Wise is one of the largest and most dynamic Jewish congregations in the world. Prior to his position at Stephen S. Wise Temple Rabbi Woznica was the founding director of the 92nd Street Y Bronfman Center for Jewish Life in New York. The 92nd Street Y is internationally recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious Jewish institutions for its lecture series and outstanding Jewish education courses, programs he initiated.