Rabbi Rick Kellner
Rabbi Rick Kellner has served as the senior rabbi and spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Tikvah since July of 2011. Rabbi Kellner was ordained as a rabbi in May 2007 at the Los Angeles campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion where he also received Masters degrees in Hebrew Letters and Jewish Education. He currently sits on the Columbus Board of Rabbis and is very active in the BREAD Social Justice organization of Columbus.
Rabbi Kellner believes that Judaism can be experienced through the values of Joy, Community, Meaning, and Impact. He believes in a community that is built on relationships. It is through our relationships with each other and the congregation in which we create a stronger sense of community. Rabbi Kellner has brought a diverse set of prayer experiences to our congregation including Shabbat Alive, Tikvah Tots as well as using meaningful English readings to create meaningful prayer. Rabbi Kellner also uses Visual Tefillah at times during the year to enhance the prayer experience.
Rabbi Kellner teaches classes on different subjects including Israel, Torah study, the environment, and Shabbat. He also helps promote a dedication to making the world a better place through individual and collective action.
Rabbi Kellner grew up in New York and he attended the University at Albany where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Prior to joining Congregation Beth Tikvah, Rabbi Kellner served as the Associate Rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles where he created an alternative family education program called Shabbat B’yachad, coordinated adult learning and created a healing center.
Rabbi Kellner and his wife Debra live in the Worthington area with their two beautiful daughters Zoe and Shira.
Rabbi Emeritus Gary Huber
Rabbi Gary A. Huber became a Rabbi Emeritus in August 2011. He received his BA in Biblical Languages and Literature from the University of Michigan (summa cum laude). He received his MA in Hebrew Literature from the Hebrew Union College and was ordained a rabbi in 1978. While in seminary, Rabbi Huber received the B’nai Zion Medal for Excellence in Hebrew Studies, the Lazurus Prize for Academic Excellence and the Youngerman Prize for Excellence in Preaching.
Rabbi Huber joined Congregation Beth Tikvah as our rabbi in 1983. In 2003 Rabbi Huber was honored at the Hebrew Union College with the Doctor of Divinity degree. His primary scholarly interests focus on Biblical literature and modern philosophy and theology.
Rabbi Huber has served as Chaplain to Patients at Missouri State Psychiatric Hospital as well as several psychiatric hospitals in Columbus. He has served on the Boards of many Jewish and communal agencies and institutions, including Hillel Foundation at Ohio State, Jewish Family Service and the Columbus Jewish Federation. Rabbi Huber has authored several essays, a guide to Jewish mourning practice and three curricula for adult Jewish learning.
Rabbi Huber’s passions are teaching, singing, and American history. Rabbi Huber and his wife, Marsha, have 2 children and 6 grandchildren.
