Rabbi Daniel A. Jezer

Rabbi Daniel Jezer is Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Beth Sholom Chevra Shas in Dewitt where he served for 25 years before his retirement. He was the congregation’s first Rabbi when he served as a student Rabbi thirteen years prior, and he returned to become the congregation’s permanent Rabbi. During his tenure the congregation more than doubled. He was noted for his strong concern for each individual congregant, no matter where they were on the religious spectrum, and making them feel included as well as helping them find their own spirituality.

Rabbi Jezer has served on the faculty of LeMoyne College for over 36 years as Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies. He is known for his concern for each individual student and for also for his creative sessions on Jewish Holidays. Because of his concern for the many adjunct faculty at the college, he was instrumental in unionizing the adjunct faculty and served as the union president for many years and is presently treasurer of the union. Rabbi Jezer is one of the founding members of the local Labor-Religion Coalition whose major issues are a living wage, worker rights and healthcare.

Rabbi Jezer is a noted community leader. He was president of Interfaith Works. He served as president of Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center, as President of Syracuse Rabbinical Council, and was President of the Roundtable of Faith Leaders.

Rabbi Jezer has been the recipient of many awards including the Interreligious Leadership Award, Post Standard Person of Achievement Award, Syracuse Jewish Federation Community Leadership Roth Award, and the LeMoyne College Bene Merenti Award. His interpretive versions of prayers have been published and widely included in services.

Rabbi Daniel Jezer holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College, Masters of Hebrew Literature, Rabbinical Ordination, and Doctor of Divinity from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He also holds a certificate in Pastural Counseling from Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center.