- William H. Lebeau
William H. Lebeau is an American
rabbi , and former Dean of The Rabbinical School, Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Department of Professional Skills, and Lecturer of Professional Skills at theJewish Theological Seminary of America ofConservative Judaism inNew York City .Lebeau stepped down on
July 1 ,2007 . [http://www.jtsa.edu/about/communications/press/20052006/20060630.shtml "Rabbi William Lebeau to Retire on July 1, 2007"] ,Jewish Theological Seminary of America press release datedJune 30 ,2006 . AccessedMay 29 ,2007 .] He was succeeded by RabbiDaniel S. Nevins . [Rosen, Jane Calem. [http://www.jstandard.com/articles/2200/1/New-rabbinical-school-dean-has-local-roots "New rabbinical school dean has local roots"] , "jewish Standard ",January 31 ,2007 . AccessedMay 29 ,2007 .]During his tenure as Dean, Rabbi Lebeau has expanded enrollment in The Rabbinical School and has worked to enhance a curriculum geared toward spiritual development and professional skills. [http://www.jtsa.edu/progs/pro/wilebeau/index.shtml Rabbi William H. Lebeau] , Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Accessed
May 29 ,2007 .,]Lebeau started his career at JTS in 1988 as Vice Chancellor for Rabbinic Development, and served two stints as as dean of The Rabbinical School, from 1993-1999 and since June 2002. He has been an advocate for students studying in
Israel as part of their rabbinic training. [Shapiro, Haim. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-6002582.html "The Conservative Choice"] , "The Jerusalem Post ",December 30 ,1994 . AccessedMay 29 ,2007 .] Rabbi Lebeau has also written on the subject of rabbinic training, including "On Becoming a Conservative Rabbi". [Lebeau, William H. [http://www.shma.com/jan03/Lebeau.htm "Rabbinic education for the 21st century"] , "Shma", January 2003. AccessedMay 29 ,2007 .]As a congregational rabbi, he served three communities over a period of twenty-four years, beginning with two years as a chaplain in the
United States Navy and Marine Corps. His first pulpit position was inPort Jefferson Station, New York , where he grew the congregation from sixty to seven hundred fifty members during his thirteen-year tenure. He later served for ten years as the rabbi of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El inHighland Park, Illinois before joining the JTS faculty.Rabbi Lebeau was ordained at JTS in 1964, having earned his bachelor's degree from
New York University in 1959 and a master's degree from JTS in Jewish studies in 1962. Rabbi Lebeau and his wife, Beverly, have five children and twelve grandchildren.References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.