William H. Lebeau
Encyclopedia
William H. Lebeau is an American
rabbi
, and former Dean of The Rabbinical School, Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Department of Professional Skills, and Lecturer of Professional Skills at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
of Conservative Judaism
in New York City
.
Lebeau stepped down on July 1, 2007. He was succeeded by Rabbi Daniel S. Nevins
.
During his tenure as Dean, Rabbi Lebeau has expanded enrollment in The Rabbinical School and has worked to enhance a curriculum geared toward spiritual development and professional skills.
Lebeau started his career at JTS in 1988 as Vice Chancellor for Rabbinic Development, and served two stints as dean of The Rabbinical School, from 1993-1999 and since June 2002. He has been an advocate for students studying in Israel
as part of their rabbinic training. Rabbi Lebeau has also written on the subject of rabbinic training, including On Becoming a Conservative Rabbi.
As a congregational rabbi, he served three communities over a period of 24 years, beginning with two years as a chaplain in the United States Navy
and Marine Corps
. His first pulpit position was in Port Jefferson Station, New York
, where he grew the congregation from 50 to 750 members during his 13 year tenure. He later served for ten years as the rabbi of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Illinois
before joining the JTS faculty.
Rabbi Lebeau was ordained at JTS in 1964, having earned his bachelor's degree from New York University
in 1959 and a master's degree from JTS in Jewish studies in 1962. Rabbi Lebeau and his wife, Beverly, have five children and thirteen grandchildren.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, and former Dean of The Rabbinical School, Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Department of Professional Skills, and Lecturer of Professional Skills at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Jewish Theological Seminary of America
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America is one of the academic and spiritual centers of Conservative Judaism, and a major center for academic scholarship in Jewish studies.JTS operates five schools: Albert A...
of Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Lebeau stepped down on July 1, 2007. He was succeeded by Rabbi Daniel S. Nevins
Daniel S. Nevins
Daniel S. Nevins is an American rabbi and an adherent of the Conservative Movement who was named the Dean of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America on January 29, 2007, succeeding Rabbi William Lebeau...
.
During his tenure as Dean, Rabbi Lebeau has expanded enrollment in The Rabbinical School and has worked to enhance a curriculum geared toward spiritual development and professional skills.
Lebeau started his career at JTS in 1988 as Vice Chancellor for Rabbinic Development, and served two stints as dean of The Rabbinical School, from 1993-1999 and since June 2002. He has been an advocate for students studying in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
as part of their rabbinic training. Rabbi Lebeau has also written on the subject of rabbinic training, including On Becoming a Conservative Rabbi.
As a congregational rabbi, he served three communities over a period of 24 years, beginning with two years as a chaplain in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. His first pulpit position was in Port Jefferson Station, New York
Port Jefferson Station, New York
Port Jefferson Station is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 7,527 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, where he grew the congregation from 50 to 750 members during his 13 year tenure. He later served for ten years as the rabbi of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park is a suburban municipality in Lake County, Illinois, United States, about north of downtown Chicago. As of 2009, the population is 33,492. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located on the North Shore of the Chicago Metropolitan Area.-Overview:Highland Park was founded...
before joining the JTS faculty.
Rabbi Lebeau was ordained at JTS in 1964, having earned his bachelor's degree from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1959 and a master's degree from JTS in Jewish studies in 1962. Rabbi Lebeau and his wife, Beverly, have five children and thirteen grandchildren.