Rabbi Fleekop
Growing up I was taught to see a sunset as a miracle, kindness as a Jewish value, and the synagogue community as a giant family. As a rabbi, these lessons about finding holiness in our world, putting our Jewish values to use everyday, and building and sustaining a warm and welcoming congregation remain my guide.
—Rabbi Joel Fleekop
Rabbi Joel Fleekop has served as rabbi of Temple Beth El since July of 2012.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Rabbi Fleekop grew up in Reno and Las Vegas, NV. He attended Brandeis University graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with High Honors in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. He earned his MA in Hebrew Letters and rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, attending the Jerusalem and Los Angeles campuses. Following ordination, Rabbi Fleekop served as Assistant and Associate Rabbi at Congregation Shir Hadash in Los Gatos, CA.
Rabbi Fleekop has a passion for social justice and views community involvement as an important part of his rabbinate. He currently serves on the boards of Council on Aging for West Florida, Habitat for Humanity of Pensacola, Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida, J.U.S.T. Pensacola, and Pensacola Jewish Federation. He is also a member of Baptist Hospital’s Chaplaincy Professional Advisory Group and helps convene the Downtown Clergy Association.
Rabbi Fleekop previously served on the boards of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Silicon Valley. He also co-chaired the People Improving Community Through Organizing (PICO) National Clergy Conference. In 2013 the Pensacola Independent News named Rabbi Fleekop as one of the community’s Rising Young Stars. He is a member of Leadership Pensacola Class of 2014.
Rabbi Fleekop lives in Gulf Breeze with his wife Andrea and their two daughters, Yael and Maya. He enjoys spending time at the beach with his family, training for his next marathon, and paddle boarding. A huge sports fan, the rabbi’s study is always open to those seeking to discuss college football.
Contact Rabbi Fleekop: rabbi@templebethelofpensacola.org