Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein grew up on the Westside of Los Angeles, graduating from Beverly Hills High School. Deeply committed to a life of Torah, filled with energy and a zest for life, since July 2002 Rabbi Feinstein has brought to University Synagogue a bright vision for the 21st century. He graduated from UC Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa with Highest Honors. Ordained in 1981 at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, he was the Assistant and first Associate Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, Texas.

Cantor Jay I. Frailich has made University Synagogue his home since 1974. He is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College School of Sacred Music. Fostering a sense of spirit, excitement and appreciation for Jewish music and worship, our Cantor has been responsible for commissioning more than 28 major liturgical works and dozens of single pieces during his tenure here. He is also a gifted teacher who brings his unique blend of knowledge, humor and vision to both children and adults. Cantor Frailich and his wife, Sandy, have two adult daughters, Lonee (Michael) and Reena (Robert).

Rabbi Allen I. Freehling came to University Synagogue in 1972 and built a warm and friendly congregation during his 30 year tenure as our Senior Rabbi. A dedicated community activist, Rabbi Freehling has provided University Synagogue an effective presence in Southern California, nationally and abroad. Since becoming our first Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbi Freehling was appointed Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles by Mayor James K. Hahn and remains in office with the support of Mayor Antonio R. Villagraigosa. Married to Lori, he is the father of three adult children, the grandfather of six, and great-grandfather of two.

Hal Daum, Executive Director comes to University Synagogue after three decades of service as a trustee, Vice President, President and Executive Director of synagogues in four communities. Hal is a graduate of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion with a B. S. in Judaic Studies as well as a B. A. in Sociology and Psychology from Cal State Northridge. He has had careers as a parole officer, mortgage banker and real estate broker. His goal, shared by the Officers and Trustees, is to facilitate the cooperative, efficient and effective administration of University Synagogue to meet the needs of the congregation, the board, the clergy and the staff. Hal and his wife, Nancy, have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Rachel Margolis, Director Education received her Joint Masters Degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service, both from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May, 2007. She was the Program Director of the Cornell Hillel following her graduation cum laude from Cornell University, with a B.A. in Near Eastern Studies. She is the recipient of the Rabbi Mordecai and Eve Soloff Award for Excellence in Jewish Education and the Prize for Excellence in Community Service in memory of Rabbi Jason Huebsch. Originally from Highland Park, New Jersey, Rachel is married to student rabbi Ari Margolis.

Bio Coming Soon!

Joel Thal Simonds, Rabbinic Intern is a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles where he received his Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters in May 2007. Joel is the recipient of the Rabbi Leonard Beerman Endowed Rabbinical Scholarship. Prior to entering rabbinical school Joel was the Public Policy Fellow at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs in Washington DC, where he worked on policy issues such as health care, hate crimes and the crisis in Sudan. Joel is originally from Lancaster, California and earned his BA in Religious Studies from the University of California Santa Barbara. He is a product of the Reform movement serving as a two time regional board member for NFTY Southern California. He also was a camper, counselor, unit head, and CIT director at the URJ Camps Swig and Newman. He is married to Ariella Thal Simonds, a law student at UCLA.