Rabbi Phil Kaplan
Rabbi Phil Kaplan grew up in Queens and Long Island, New York. He graduated from CUNY-Queens College with a BA in Jewish Studies and received semicha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York in 2019. During his studies, Rabbi Phil served as rabbinic intern at Beth David Synagogue in West Hartford, CT, Congregation Sherith Israel in Nashville, TN, and at Congregation Tiferet Israel in Austin, TX. He also completed the AIPAC Leffell Fellowship, the iCenter for Israel Education Fellowship, a Certificate of Spiritual Leadership and Social Impact from New York University, and a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, TN.
After receiving semicha, Rabbi Phil married Abra in June 2019 and they moved to Sydney, Australia, where Rabbi Phil served as Associate Rabbi and Hazzan of The Great Synagogue, Sydney. Rabbi Phil was heavily involved in teaching, pastoral care, leading musical services as Hazzan with the Great Synagogue Choir, coordinating events for children and young adults and joining the Senior Rabbi in all aspects of ministerial work. Rabbi Phil also helped institute and administer The Great Synagogue’s conversion program and B’nai Mitzvah program. The Kaplan family moved back to the United States in early 2022, and Rabbi Phil began serving as rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in June of 2022. Rabbi Phil and Abra have two sons, Roee Yaakov and Shemaya Ber.
Rabbi Phil has a passion for building warm, welcoming Jewish community for Jews of all backgrounds and education levels. He, Abra, Roee and Shemaya love hosting Shabbos meals in their home. The Kaplans are thrilled to be a part of the Beth Israel community.