Jewish Community Center of Harrison
Welcomes New Rabbi

The Jewish Community Center of Harrison {JCCH}, 130 Union Avenue, has welcomed Rabbi Howard Siegel as their new spiritual leader.

Rabbi Siegel has served as a pulpit rabbi in Vancouver, British Columbia, Minneapolis, and Houston and for the past 13 years as interim rabbi for congregations in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Tampa, Sarasota, Charlotte, and, most recently, Merrick, New York. 

“We are thrilled to have Rabbi Siegel join our community,” said JCCH Executive Director Eric Nussbaum. “He brings years of practical, hands-on experience and we look forward to learning and growing under his leadership.” 

Rabbi Siegel began his career teaching speech and English in a Portland, Oregon, public high school. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Minnesota, a Bachelor of Hebrew Literature degree from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts degree in Judaica and rabbinical ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity by JTS.

Rabbi Siegel was the founding director of the Solomon Schechter Day School of St. Louis. In 2003, he founded the “Jewish Information Center of Houston,” an outreach program to unaffiliated Jews in Houston. He has staffed and directed Jewish summer camps and has served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy.  He currently writes a weekly blog for the Houston Chronicle. Rabbi Siegel is the proud parent of three children and grandfather of eight.