Rabbi Samuel Rheins was ordained rabbi at HUC-JIR in Cincinnati on June 1, 2024. Shortly afterwards, Rabbi Rheins moved to Houston to join Congregation Beth Israel as an Assistant Rabbi. Rabbi Rheins grew up in Denver, where both of his parents are Reform rabbis.
He grew up in the Reform movement, attended Reform Jewish summer camp, and graduated from University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in history and a minor in Jewish Studies in 2017.
After college, he spent a year in Israel at Pardes Institute for Jewish Education before entering rabbinical school at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem and Cincinnati. Rabbi Rheins explains, “I view myself as a rabbi who promotes Jewish unity and togetherness not only during hard times such as these, but all the time.
As a rabbi, one of my goals is to strengthen Jewish community and connectedness based on our shared history, traditions, and values.” Rabbi Rheins enjoys being with people, preparing for his role as rabbi on the bimah, teaching Torah to all ages, engaging with children, and sharing his joy of Judaism.
Prior to the hiring of Rabbi Rheins, the leadership of both Temple Sinai and Congregation Beth Israel developed an innovative program involving the sharing of a Rabbi. The concept was to allow the “Shared Rabbi” to spend the majority of their time in Houston while serving as the Lake Charles community’s spiritual leader.
Rabbi Rheins began commuting to Lake Charles in July, 2024. He comes to Temple Sinai approximately 20 weekends a year including the majority of the Jewish holidays. During his visits, he conducts Friday night and Saturday morning services followed by a Torah study session. The arrangement between the two congregations has worked out beautifully for all involved.
Services
Our part-time Rabbi comes in from Houston approximately every third weekend.
During his visits, Friday night services begin at 6 PM.
Typically, we have a family night dinner ($10 per adult charge), open to all who come to services.
Saturday morning services begin at 10 AM followed by 11 AM Torah Study that ends at noon.
For the most up to date information on services, please see the Bulletin or send an email to us using this Contact Us link.