Rabbi Adam M. Wright
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Rabbi Wright began his tenure at BJBE in July of 2026, bringing Israel education and advocacy as a cornerstone of his rabbinate. Building on major initiatives that he began as Senior Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham, Alabama including worship, education, philanthropy, and community engagement, Rabbi Wright looks forward to reimagining Shabbat and holiday services and launching innovative membership models to welcome young families into synagogue life.
Rabbi Wright brings a unique connection to BJBE. Rabbi Mark Shapiro, z"l, served as Rabbi Wright's ordination mentor. “Rabbi Shapiro taught me the foundations of lifecycle presence: how to show up; how to listen; how to carry holiness into moments of joy and moments of heartbreak. 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.” Along with his seven years of leadership as a senior rabbi, Rabbi Wright also served as Associate Rabbi of Temple Solel in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, where he developed nationally recognized teen programs. He has also served Jewish communities across California, including roles with Occidental College Hillel, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and congregations in Tarzana, Pacific Palisades, Fountain Valley, and Victorville. A committed scholar as well as a congregational rabbi, Rabbi Wright earned his Master of Theological Studies at Vanderbilt University, focusing on the Ancient Near East and Early Judaism. He also holds master’s degrees in Hebrew Letters and Jewish Education, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. He is currently pursuing his doctorate at HUC-JIR, where his research focuses on contemporary Jew-hatred. His academic achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Samson H. Levey Prize for Outstanding Student in Rabbinic Literature at HUC-JIR; the Nella May Overby Memorial Award at Vanderbilt; and Wheaton College’s J. Arthur Martin Prize in Religion. Originally from West Bloomfield, Michigan, Rabbi Wright is married to Dr. Rachel Wright, an internist and pediatrician at UAB. Together, they are raising three children: Lillian, Maisie, and Teddy. When not at Temple, Rabbi Wright can often be found at home cheering for his beloved Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Lions. Read a note about Rabbi Wright's arrival at BJBE. |