LOS ANGELES, CA – Beaumont Shapiro will join the Skirball Cultural Center in the newly created position of Rabbi in Residence, as announced today by Skirball President and CEO Jessie Kornberg. His new role will commence on June 5, 2023.

Rabbi Shapiro will partner closely with Kornberg and Executive Vice President Leslie K. Johnson on the expression of the Skirball’s Jewish values through its daily operations and robust programming.  Rabbi Shapiro will also provide guidance on topics of interest from Jewish history, ritual life, and philosophy; and will represent the Skirball to the larger Jewish community. 

In making the announcement, Kornberg said, “Beau’s experience as a seasoned rabbinic leader, coupled with his skills engaging diverse, multicultural audiences throughout Los Angeles will ensure we continue providing meaningful and moving experiences to everyone who visits the Skirball.” 

Rabbi Shapiro added, “The Skirball is uniquely positioned amongst organizations nationwide to engage people from across the spectrum of Jewish life—and particularly important in this day and age, non-Jews as well—in exploring our connections to one another and our greater community so that, together, we can build a more just society.” 

Most recently, Shapiro served as Rabbi at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, helping to lead the institution through a period of unprecedented growth and change, building relationships and expanding the dimensions of Jewish life within and beyond the temple. 

At Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Shapiro created and oversaw the founding of the Karsh Family Social Service Center, a non-profit, non-religious organization that provides critical and accessible social services to meet the most pressing needs of the surrounding Mid-City community.

His career at Wilshire Boulevard Temple spanned twenty years. For the past twelve years, he served as Rabbi and before that as a Rabbinic Intern, Song Leader, and Educator. Prior to Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Shapiro was the Youth Director at Temple Israel of Hollywood. 

Shapiro is past president of the Wilshire Center Interfaith Council and currently sits on the Interreligious Council of Southern California, the Professional Development Committee of the Center Conference of American Rabbis, and the board of NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster.

Shapiro received his Rabbinic Ordination in 2011 from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, where he also earned a master’s degree in Hebrew Letters in 2009. Additionally, he holds degrees in Religious Studies and Cinema-Television from the University of Southern California (USC).

“The work of the Skirball’s rabbinically trained leaders in our museum, education, and programs has always helped us define and express our Jewish identity,” explained Kornberg. “As the Skirball continues to expand our reach and welcome new audiences from throughout Los Angeles, we continue to strengthen and deepen that work with this new position. Someone who can provide steadfast leadership—nurturing our internal and external communities with wisdom and compassion—to ensure we are living our values consistently and authentically.”

About the Skirball

The Skirball Cultural Center is a place of meeting guided by the Jewish tradition of welcoming the stranger and inspired by the American democratic ideals of freedom and equality. We welcome people of all communities and generations to participate in cultural experiences that celebrate discovery and hope, foster human connections, and call upon us to help build a more just society.

Visiting the Skirball

The Skirball is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049. Museum hours: Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 pm; Saturday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm; closed Mondays and holidays. Reservations are recommended for General Admission and the permanent exhibition Noah's Ark at the Skirball, which requires timed entry and is ticketed separately. For general information, the public may call (310) 440-4500 or visit skirball.org.