Rabbi Darryl Crystal

Rabbi Darryl Crystal is entering his nineteenth year as an interim rabbi, working with congregations around the country. Prior to that, he served North Shore Synagogue on Long Island for 18 years. Rabbi Crystal served as manager of the Interim Rabbi Training program for the CCAR from 2015-2018, where he developed curriculum and trained other interim rabbis.

As an interim rabbi, Rabbi Crystal will fulfill the responsibilities of the senior rabbi and be a guide for the transition year. He will work closely with the clergy, staff, and lay leaders, collaborating with them to provide pastoral care, officiate at life-cycle events, lead services, teach, and actively engage in Temple life. Prior to his arrival in July, he will work with Rabbi Jaffe to learn about Temple Isaiah.

Pastoral care is a foundation of Rabbi Crystal’s work, and he has trained as a chaplain and worked in hospital settings. Tikkun Olam has been a central part of his life since high school; he has lobbied elected officials, led vigils, and participated in demonstrations on issues including LGBTQIA+ equality, reproductive rights, immigration reform, racial justice, and the abolition of torture. He has worked with interfaith communities throughout the country.

He was ordained at HUC-JIR in 1985 and has studied widely since then, including at the PARDES Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Hebrew College, and with Bratslav and Chabad rabbis.

To learn more about his approach to serving as an interim rabbi, see this article that he wrote for the CCAR (the rabbinic organization).