Sha’arei Shalom, a member-run Jewish congregation based in Ashland, has named Rabbi Eric Gurvis as its new spiritual leader. A past president of the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis, he most recently served as rabbi for Temple Shalom in Newton. He will assume his role at Sha’arei Shalom on July 1.

“As a small member-run Jewish congregation, we’re very lucky and excited to have Rabbi Eric Gurvis as our new spiritual leader,” said Sha’arei Shalom president Kate Fialky. “He’s a very accomplished and well-respected rabbi who will not only be a great addition to Sha’arei Shalom, but also the entire MetroWest interfaith community.”

Rabbi Gurvis has served congregations in New York City, Mississippi and New Jersey. He has long been deeply involved in youth activities and Jewish camps, interfaith and social justice work, as well as Israel programming and education.

He is a past-president of the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis, a past chairperson of the Newton Interfaith Clergy Council, and has served on the board of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston. Rabbi Gurvis is currently a member of the Newton Human Rights Commission. He is also a member of the faculty for the Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning program, which provides adult learning opportunities in communities throughout the Greater Boston area.

Rabbi Gurvis is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, with a BA in sociology and Judaic studies, and was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York.

Rabbi Gurvis and his wife, Laura Kizner Gurvis, are relocating to the MetroWest area. They have four children and, most recently, a 2-year-old grandson.

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