Deerfield Congregation BJBE Appoints New Senior Rabbi

DEERFIELD, IL — Congregation BJBE (B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim) announced the appointment of Rabbi Adam M. Wright as its next Senior Rabbi. Wright is set to begin his tenure on July 1. He joins the Deerfield congregation after serving as senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2019.

Wright's appointment follows the legacies of Rabbi Karyn Kedar and Rabbi Mark Shapiro. Shapiro, who led the congregation for nearly four decades, served as Wright's ordination mentor.

"Rabbi Shapiro taught me the foundations of lifecycle presence: how to show up, how to listen, and how to carry holiness into moments of joy and moments of heartbreak," Wright said. "He spoke with such pride about BJBE, about its congregational excellence, devotion to Zionism, and scholarship. Looking back now, those conversations feel less like coincidence and more like roots quietly planted long before I knew where I would one day stand."

At his previous congregation, Wright introduced innovations that strengthened synagogue life. These included reimagining Shabbat and holiday worship, establishing Birmingham's first Hebrew ulpan program for adults, creating a community religious school, and launching new membership approaches that attracted young families. Following Oct. 7, 2023, he organized citywide vigils, interfaith solidarity events, and weekly prayers for hostages.

Wright holds a Master of Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University, focusing on the Ancient Near East and Early Judaism. He also has graduate degrees in Hebrew Letters and Jewish Education, along with a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at HUC–JIR, with research centered on contemporary antisemitism.

Wright is a fellow of the Amplify Israel Rabbinic Fellowship and serves as board chair of Rabbis United. He is also a member of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition. He contributes to the wider civic community as a chaplain for the Mountain Brook Police Department and as a founding member of the Highland Interfaith Society. Originally from West Bloomfield, Michigan,Wright is married to Dr. Rachel Wright, and they have three children: Lillian, Maisie, and Teddy. The Wright family anticipates meeting the BJBE community this summer.

"Rabbi Wright brings a rare blend of warmth, scholarship, and courageous leadership," said Steffanie Pinsky, BJBE board president. "Throughout the search process, we were inspired by his clarity of purpose, his devotion to congregational life, and his commitment to building lasting Jewish memory. We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Wright and his family to Deerfield."