Rabbi Dan Ain with his family. Credit: Lacey McCabe

By Esther and David Schwartz

Congregation Beth El, a traditional conservative synagogue located in the heart of northwest Austin, just two miles from the Dell Jewish Community Campus recently announced Rabbi Dan Ain as a new addition to its leadership team. Congregation Beth El is known as a vibrant and diverse community that strives to enrich Jewish life through learning, worship and social action.

Rabbi Ain was ordained at The Jewish Theological Seminary where he developed a passion for making Jewish worship and community life more accessible and relevant. He has served in various leadership roles, including leading The New Shul in Manhattan and serving as Director of Tradition and Innovation at New York’s 92nd Street Y, where he gained a unique perspective on engaging the Jewish community in meaningful ways.

As the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco from 2018 to 2022, Rabbi Ain adopted a holistic approach to worship that integrated music and art, fostering a vibrant and inclusive community atmosphere. He also founded “Because Jewish,” an initiative that creates engaging Jewish experiences that resonate with contemporary life, offering unique events that have brought together diverse members of the Jewish community.

Rabbi Ain has been living in Austin for the past 18 months with his wife, Alana Joblin Ain, co-founder of the Moontower Minyan, and their two children, Autumn and Samson. He says he is eager to join the congregation and share his vision of Judaism that values community, tradition, and personal growth. He also hopes to foster open and honest conversations about faith, life, and community.

Congregation Beth El says it looks forward to learning from his inspiring leadership and engaging Jewish experiences. Together, they are excited to embark on this next chapter of the congregation’s journey, enriched by Rabbi Ain’s guidance and passion for Jewish life.

As a friendly and welcoming congregation, Beth El describes itself as the “perfect place for families and individuals seeking to deepen their Jewish faith within a close-knit community.” Beth El’s services are traditional, with a strong emphasis on participation from its members.. To learn more, visit bethelaustin.org.