Senior Rabbi
The rabbi is an important part of any person’s decision to join a synagogue, and that’s why we’re especially excited for you to meet Rabbi Jay M. Kornsgold.
Rabbi Kornsgold has been the spiritual leader of Beth El Synagogue since 1994. He is dynamic and filled with boundless energy. His sermons consistently inspire and educate in a warm and welcoming manner.
Rabbi Kornsgold provides leadership consistent with the tenets of Conservative Judaism. He is a natural teacher, always willing to listen and share ideas. And he is highly regarded by our congregation for his caring and compassionate nature, whether it is the youngest or the oldest member of the synagogue.
It is special when an entire congregation can so readily communicate and feel such warmth with their rabbi, and we welcome you to visit us for a service so we can introduce him to you. As busy as he is, he somehow manages to make every person in the congregation feel like a friend.
Rabbi Kornsgold’s service to the Jewish and general community is extraordinary. In addition to serving as Beth El’s Rabbi, Rabbi Kornsgold serves as the Treasurer of the Rabbinical Assembly (the international association of Conservative rabbis) as well as a member of its Administrative Committee, Executive Council and Social Justice Commission. Rabbi Kornsgold is a Past President of the New Jersey Region of the Rabbinical Assembly, served as Chair of the International Social Justice Commission for nine years and Chair of the International Resolutions Committee for five years and has been a member of numerous Rabbinical Assembly committees over the years.
Rabbi Kornsgold currently serves as a member of the New Jersey State Cemetery Board, the National Council of AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee), the National Rabbinic Council of State of Israel Bonds, the Board of Directors of MERCAZ, the Board of Directors of the Masorti Foundation and the Spiritual Advisor to the Northern New Jersey Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (a position he held for four years previously).
Rabbi Kornsgold is a Past President of the Board of Rabbis of Princeton Mercer Bucks and a Past President of the Windsor-Hightstown Area Ministerium (which promotes inter-faith communication). He was a member of the Board of Directors of Abrams Hebrew Academy, the Advisory Board of the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America and the Board of Directors of the Center for Jewish Life at Princeton University.
Rabbi Kornsgold was honored with the 2007 Rabbinic Achievement Award by the New Jersey Region of The United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism, and in 1997 was awarded the Rabbinic Achievement Award by the Council of Jewish Federations.
Rabbi Kornsgold received his Rabbinic Ordination, his Master of Arts and Bachelor’s Degrees from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He also received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Columbia University.
Prior to coming to Beth El, Rabbi Kornsgold served at Congregation Shaare Zedek in New York City, both as a student and later after he was ordained. During his rabbinical studies, he also served as a hospital chaplain at New York Hospital – Cornell Medical Center. Before deciding to become a rabbi, he interned for the Mayor of Philadelphia.
Rabbi Kornsgold is married to Leslie Ann Kornsgold and they have three children: Noam (married to Gavriella), Yona and Yaffa. The rabbi was born and raised in Philadelphia and is an avid Philadelphia sports fan.
Click here to e-mail Rabbi Kornsgold.