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The Rainbow Center - Mircaz Keshet

Rabbi Joshua Lesser, M.H.L.

The Rabbi of Congregation Bet Haverim, Joshua Lesser graduated in 1999 with honors from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Committed to fostering understanding and building bridges, Rabbi Lesser has been a featured speaker at Emory University, Spelman College, Oglethorpe University, as well as area schools and communal organizations.  

He is currently involved in working with rabbis, Jewish communal workers and health professionals in reevaluating the Jewish communal social services systems in North America.  For the past three years Rabbi Lesser has taught rabbinical students how to create welcoming communities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews.

Rabbi Lesser's areas of expertise include service leadership, contemporary ritual and liturgy, youth education and pastoral care.  A social activist, Rabbi Lesser is passionately committed to AIDS education, gay and lesbian civil rights and the full recognition, inclusion and support of the mentally and physically disabled.

Joshua Lesser

  • is the founder of The Rainbow Center, a Jewish response and resource center for supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families.
  • co-founded Camp Big Heart, a sponsored camp for disabled children in Georgia
  • was a member of Teach for America, New Orleans Corps ('91-'93).
  • is a faculty member of the Florence Melton Mini-School of Adult Jewish Learning, sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Community Center.
  • serves as a member of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation’s Commission on Social Justice and World Repair.

Rabbi Lesser, a vegetarian, loves to cook and is a voracious reader and movie fan. He lives in Atlanta with his cat and two dogs.

All dialogue with Rabbi Josh is kept absolutely confidential and everyone's privacy is always respected.

ARTICLES & STORIES BY THE RABBI

Major funding by Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
under the auspices of Jewish Family and Career Services
and sponsored by Congregation Bet Haverim.