Rabbi Jack Dermer is thrilled to be joining the Temple Beth Torah family!.
Originally from Southwest Florida, Rabbi Dermer brought his love of learning to Brandeis University, where he earned a BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies. Upon graduating from Brandeis, Rabbi Dermer followed his religious calling to the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, where he decided to devote his life to Torah, spiritual growth, and serving the Jewish community. While in rabbinical school at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Dermer built upon his interest in philosophy, earning an MA in Jewish Thought with a focus on Chassidic and Kabbalistic mysticism, and twice receiving the Seminary’s Rubenovitz Prize in Theology. As a rabbinical student, Rabbi Dermer worked as a chaplain for Holocaust survivors, created a program to host Shabbat meals for isolated senior citizens, and enjoyed spending numerous summers as a teacher and special needs inclusion counselor with Camp Ramah.
Rabbi Dermer is a lifelong guitar player, and brings his love of music and communal singing to his rabbinate. Rabbi Dermer is passionate about animal welfare and environmental ethics, and is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Food Justice Committee. A strong advocate for Israel, Rabbi Dermer is also actively involved in many programs with AIPAC and the Jewish National Fund.
Along with his wife Kayley Romick, herself a rabbinical student, Rabbi Dermer is excited to be sharing his warmth, music, and passion for Torah with Temple Beth Torah and the larger Jericho community.
You can reach Rabbi Dermer at rabbijdermer@gmail.com