Please Welcome Barry Lutz, Our New Interim Rabbi
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March 21, 2023 * 28 Adar 5783
Dear Kol Ami Community and Friends,
We are very pleased to share that Rabbi Barry Lutz will begin a one-year appointment as the Interim Rabbi for Congregation Kol Ami, beginning July 1, 2023. Rabbi Lutz has special training and experience leading congregations through major rabbinic transitions. In addition to attending to the community’s spiritual and ritual needs, he will help us plan for our future.
Rabbi Barry Lutz is in his 39th year serving the Los Angeles Jewish community as a rabbi and educator. Over the past five years, Rabbi Lutz has served as interim rabbi for the University Synagogue, (now Wilshire Boulevard Temple), The Santa Monica Synagogue, and Temple Beth El of South Orange County. In each of these positions he provided support, guidance, and leadership as each community transitioned to a new settled rabbi.
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Rabbi Lutz is excited about the opportunity to continue this sacred interim role here at Kol Ami. He is looking forward to meeting the members of the Kol Ami community and partnering with Kol Ami leadership, staff, and membership in envisioning the future of the community. He is particularly delighted for the opportunity to reunite at the High Holy Days with Cantor Patti Linsky with whom he worked for over 20 years.
A product of the Reform movement, Rabbi Lutz’s journey to the rabbinate began as a NFTY and URJ camp song leader. Music has played an integral role in his personal and professional life. He recently served as the
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curriculum consultant for the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience where he developed a curriculum exploring the intersection of the American Jewish experience and Jewish music. Rabbi Lutz looks forward to the opportunity to break out his guitar for Kol Ami Shabbat services and celebrations.
Along with Rabbi Lutz, we welcome his wife, Debbie, to the Kol Ami community. They are the proud parents of Rabbi Adam Lutz and wife Cantor Emma Lutz, Jeremy Lutz, and Emily Lutz and husband Gaby Cielak. Most significantly, Rabbi Lutz and Debbie are doting, adoring, and blessed grandparents to Ruby and Gwen (daughters of Rabbi Adam and Cantor Emma).
We are fortunate to have Rabbi Lutz's expertise and guidance as we dedicate ourselves to moving forward through this time of transition for our congregation.
L’Shalom,
 
Peter Mackler Dr. Nancy A. CohenPresident Interim Rabbi Search Committee Chair
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Sat, April 27 2024 19 Nisan 5784
