Bio

Rabbi Spike Anderson

Rabbi Spike Anderson

Rabbi Spike Anderson was born and raised in Boston and was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York City.   He entered the rabbinate after a successful career as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur.   It is Rabbi Anderson’s love for Judaism that has brought him on a journey into a life of service for the Jewish people and he finds great meaning in merging his passion for innovation with Jewish spirituality.  Rabbi Anderson began his rabbinic service at Stephen S. Wise Temple in Los Angeles in 2008.

The opportunity to lead Temple Emanu-El spurred Rabbi Anderson to move his family across the country to join a new congregation and a new community.  “Temple Emanu-El of Greater Atlanta is an amazing place with a history of dedication and engagement.  The commitment of our congregants to Jewish life, and personal spiritual development has been inspirational.  My hope is to help every congregant at Emanu-El connect to their Judaism in a deeply meaningful way.”

Rabbi Anderson takes great joy in being a teacher and is thrilled to have students ranging from age 1 to 101 years old.  His classroom ranges from congregants’ living rooms to his office at Temple Emanu-El, to coffee at the playground.  He has taught classes on such diverse topics as “The Hunger Games: what Judaism might have to say about it”, “Your Personal Theology and Spiritual Journey”, “Sex, the Spiritual Lives of Children, and the Blessings of Being a Grandparent”, and “Finding God.”

Rabbi Anderson believes deeply in the importance of connections, caring, and social action.  He pioneered several initiatives which he is looking forward to bringing from Stephen S. Wise Temple to Temple Emanu-El, including “Daditude”, a group for young fathers and their pre-school children to spend quality time on Sunday mornings together at the temple playground and “Wise Hearts,” a caring community initiative designed to put the talents and expertise of the congregation to work helping other congregants in need.

In addition to his rabbinic and pulpit responsibilities, Rabbi Anderson is dedicated to the state of Israel.  He works tirelessly to connect congregants with Israel through political action, personal connection, cultural exchange, and study.

Rabbi Anderson shares his journey with his wife, Marita, and their three young children.

Video Gallery

  •  Save A Child's Heart 2015
    • Save A Child's Heart 2015

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  • Roxanne and James Trailer
    • Roxanne and James Trailer

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  • Kindergarteners Receive Torah
    • Kindergarteners Receive Torah

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  • Episode 1- The Soul. The Spiritual Lives of Families.
    • Episode 1- The Soul. The Spiritual Lives of Families.

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  • Episode 2- Where Does God Live? The Spiritual Lives of Families.
    • Episode 2- Where Does God Live? The Spiritual Lives of Families.

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  • Episode 3: A Wrinkle in Time. The Spiritual Lives of Families.
    • Episode 3: A Wrinkle in Time. The Spiritual Lives of Families.

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  • Episode 4: Blessing of the children. The Spiritual Lives of Families.
    • Episode 4: Blessing of the children. The Spiritual Lives of Families.

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  • So Your Jewish Child Wants to Celebrate Christmas! The Spiritual Lives of Families.
    • So Your Jewish Child Wants to Celebrate Christmas! The Spiritual Lives of Families.

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  • How do you play Dreidel? The Spiritual Lives of Families.
    • How do you play Dreidel? The Spiritual Lives of Families.

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