Rabbi Joseph R. Black began serving as the Temple Emanuels 14th senior rabbi on July 6.
Rabbi Black moved from Albuquerque, where he was the senior rabbi at Congregation Albert for 14 years. During his tenure there, Rabbi Black increased membership from 540 member families to 740.
He focused on youth programming, outreach and enhancing studying and learning opportunities for all age groups.
Outside the synagogue, Rabbi Black was an integral part of the New Mexico Jewish community.
He was a sought after speaker for community, civic and religious institutions and was frequently interviewed on radio, TV and in the print media about Jewish topics and Israel.
He was active in many social justice causes and served on the board of numerous community organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish.
He also helped start R.A.I.N: The New Mexico Religious Alliance for Inclusion and Non-Discrimination, and the Rabbinic and Cantorial Assn. of Albuquerque.
Prior to living in Albuquerque, he served as an assistant and associate rabbi at Temple Israel in Minneapolis.
During his time there he initiated programming for singles, seniors, chavurot, outreach, adult education, informal education, youth programming and young couples groups.
Rabbi Black is an accomplished musician and composer.
He is nationally recognized as a composer and recording artist of contemporary Jewish music.
His original works have been performed by other artists in schools and at camps across the country.
He has recorded five albums of original music, has made two videos and published two songbooks and a childrens book.
Originally from Chicago, Rabbi Black graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor of science in education, and from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, where he received his rabbinic ordination in 1987.
He and his wife Sue are the parents of Elana and Ethan.
