Old York Road Temple-Beth Am's Rabbi 25-Year Career Milestone Takes Center Stage When Nephew (and FORTE Tenor Star) Brings Tribute Performance to Keswick Theatre December 7

Old York Road Temple-Beth Am’s Rabbi 25-Year Career Milestone Takes Center Stage When Nephew (and FORTE Tenor Star) Brings Tribute Performance to Keswick Theatre December 7

Abington, PA -- In the 25 years since Rabbi Robert Leib left his South African homeland for Abington’s Old York Road Temple-Beth Am, he’s observed the powerful bonds between multiple generations of Jewish families across Greater Philadelphia.

“Here, there is a strong sense of intergenerational heritage and community,” he said.

Such a bond exists within his own family, pulling his famous nephew, Josh Page – along with the two other operatic tenors who comprise FORTE - to The Keswick Theatre, where a special performance will help celebrate Rabbi Leib’s silver anniversary with the congregation. The 3 p.m. December 7, 3:00 p.m. classical-crossover show is open to all.

“FORTE could not be more excited to perform in honor of my Uncle Robert’s 25th anniversary with Old York Road Temple-Beth Am!” Page said. “Honoring my uncle’s milestone at Beth Am feels natural. He is a selfless, genuine source of faith and comfort to everyone. He has always been incredibly supportive of my love for music.”

Uncle and nephew both got their big break via video – in formats separated by two decades of technology.

Back in the late 1980’s, the time difference between Abington, PA and Cape Town, South Africa led the synagogue search committee to schedule late-night interviews with Rabbi Leib, and to fax him specific questions as part of the recruitment process. His wife, Randy, then videotaped his answers and sent the recordings via overseas mail.

Rabbi Leib was then Assistant Rabbi at Temple Israel, Cape Town Progressive Jewish Congregation. A graduate of the University of Cape Town, he pursued his rabbinic studies at the Leo Baeck College in London and New York’s Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religious. His New York experience included teaching religious school at Central Synagogue, where he met his future wife, Randy, who was working as the song leader.

He returned to London for his final years of study and ordination in 1986, taking his first pulpit at his “home” in Cape Town.

By 1989, Rabbi Leib had no choice but to leave his home country. Those were the days of apartheid, and he, on both political and religious grounds, refused to serve in South Africa’s defense forces which would have been required if he had stayed.

The Beth Am search committee was so impressed with the Rabbi’s videotaped answers, he was hired as Assistant Rabbi. He moved here with his wife and then-infant daughter Hayley. The family has grown, now blessed by daughters, Ilana and Aviva. Leib became Senior Rabbi in 2004.

Decades later, a YouTube video brought nephew Josh Page musical success.

His seat number was called at a Josh Groban concert, and Page convinced Groban they should sing a duet. A video of the performance – and Groban’s shocked reaction to Page’s vocal skills – went viral. Fellow FORTE! Tenor Fernando Varela saw the video and contacted Page. They and third tenor Sean Panikkar did not truly get to know each other until the America’s Got Talent Season 8 competition. Immediately afterward, FORTE! landed a recording contract.

A year later, the Keswick stop on the trio’s tour allows Page to help honor his uncle’s big milestone.

“I am excited to bring my group to honor him, and put on a fantastic show for the entire community,” Page said.

Leib will celebrate his milestone, but won’t slow down.

“So much more work needs to be done,” he said. “Not only am I always concerned about reaching out to our congregants to help enhance their spiritual lives, but, I am ever more aware of the need to heal the broken and fractured political and religious world in which we live. As a people we must walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”

Tickets to the FORTE! performance are available at ASX, www.axs.com, at www.keswicktheatre.com, or by calling the Keswick at 215-572-7650 or visiting the box office at the theatre, located at 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside.

Old York Road Temple-Beth Am, located at 971 Old York Road in Abington, has long been known for its community involvement, extensive educational programs, and the richness and warmth of its religious services. For more information, visit http://www.oyrtbetham.org/