Rabbi

Rabbi David Novak

Rabbi Novak joins Temple Sinai of Palm Desert after serving as an interim rabbi for two congregations in Florida.  Prior to that, he led Israel Congregation of Manchester (VT) for a decade.  Judaism—and Jewish life—are central to how he defines his life.

Born in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1962, his childhood rabbi and wife became dear friends early-on, and it is this rabbi that presented Rabbi David for ordination in 2007 at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple with the words, “Your blessing will be the forging of links with the Jewish community, our people, who will be trusted in your caring hands.”

Growing up in Manchester Rabbi David was not exposed to the city’s diversity, finding himself in Hebrew School on Mondays and Wednesday, attending Friday night services and Junior Congregation on Shabbat mornings and spending much of his free time at the Jewish Community Center. 

Life events took him to his first sojourn in California in 1976 and then to Spokane in 1978 where he became president of Spokane Jewish Youth and active in AZA, part of BBYO.  His first trip to Israel was with BBYO in 1980 where his co-travelers nicknamed him “rabbi.” 

At the University of Washington Rabbi David participated in pro-Israel activities.  Upon graduation he returned to New England and fell into the rich Jewishness of the greater Boston community.  Life events again took him across country, to Los Angeles in 1989.

During his time in LA, he was an active member of various synagogues and participated in Jewish life in a number of Jewish non-profit organizations. 

He chose rabbinic school after a successful career in communications counseling in Los Angeles.  He entered Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in June, 2002, moving to Jerusalem for the first year of studies.  I  

Rabbi David is delighted to be back in Southern California to serve Temple Sinai and looks forward to creating the next links in our people’s story with you.