The Brilliant Cognitive Dissonance of Yizkor and Simhat Torah

Rabbi Michael Knopf is the Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in Richmond, VA. He is dedicated to engaging and supporting spiritual seekers; communicating the transformative power of Torah and prayer; and building welcoming, supportive, and inspiring community. These passions inspired him, prior to assuming the pulpit at Temple Beth-El, to serve as Assistant Rabbi of Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, PA. Before his ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2011, Rabbi Knopf helped coordinate the nation’s largest preparatory program for conversion to Judaism; worked as a spiritual counselor at Beit T’Shuvah, a Jewish addiction treatment facility; and served several congregations and educational institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Rabbi Knopf is a regular contributor to Haaretz’s “Rabbi’s Roundtable” blog, Jewish Values Online, and other publications; produces a weekly video message; and is cultivating a national reputation for scholarship in theology and Jewish law. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Rabbi Knopf enjoys movies, traveling, and pizza.