Rabbi Howard Morrison

Temple Beth-El in Alpena announces Rabbi Howard Morrison will lead the congregation in Sabbath worship and a program for the community about the Jewish holiday of Purim this weekend.

On Saturday at 11 a.m., Rabbi Morrison will lead the congregation in a celebration of a new prayer book. He will discuss meaningful topics including the origin of Jewish prayer, why we pray at all, how the Jewish prayer book was formed and has evolved within different communities.

On Sunday at 2 p.m., Rabbi Morrison will share lessons on Purim, a holiday commemorating the biblical Book of Esther. Most Jewish holidays are found in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, but Purim is not, so why do we celebrate it? Fasting and feasting, exchanging gifts with each other, and donating to the poor are all parts of Purim.

Seating is limited, so call 989-595-3544 for reservations and more information. Temple Beth-El’s Guest Rabbi program is sponsored in part by the generosity of the Ravitz Foundation as well as donations by members and friends.

Rabbi Morrison, currently the senior Rabbi of Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in Toronto, leads prayer services, officiates lifecycle ceremonies including baby namings, weddings, and funerals, and offers pastoral care to its members. He also previously held the position of president of the Toronto Board of Rabbis.

Raised just outside of Boston where he attended Maimonides School, Rabbi Morrison graduated from Boston University and then pursued rabbinical studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary. After his ordination he served as Rabbi at synagogues in Wantagh, New York, and Union, New Jersey, prior to his current position. In 2015 the Jewish Theological Seminary awarded Rabbi Morrison an honorary Doctorate of Divinity for having served more than 25 years as rabbi.