Rabbi Josh Foster

Rabbi Josh Foster joined B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in 2012. Growing up in metro Detroit, he graduated from the joint program at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary where he was also ordained as a Rabbi and earned a master’s degree in Jewish education. He has studied in Israel at both the Schechter Institute and Conservative Yeshiva. 

As part of the clergy team, Rabbi Foster brings his enthusiasm and expertise on immersive learning to congregants of all ages, overseeing the congregation’s Youth & Learning Center, Bessie Hershey Religious School, adult education, Shabbaton retreats & Jewish legacy travel. He has served on the boards of Mandel Jewish Day School & Gross Schechter Day School, the executive committee of the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis and as president of the Educator’s Network of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JEC). 

A strong advocate for experiential Jewish education, Rabbi Josh has worked extensively with Jewish day schools, summer camps, youth groups, University Hillels, Birthright Israel & Moishe House, and has piloted many new experiences for students and families, including B’nai Jeshurun’s Youth Shabbaton held each spring at Camp Wise, Hineni Teen Fellowship, monthly Spotlight Educator series, Shabbat-on-the-Circle congregational Shabbaton and more. 

Outside of the synagogue, Rabbi Josh enjoys playing basketball and exploring the world (45 states in the US, 44 countries across 6 continents and counting…), and he resides in Beachwood with his wife Katie and their children Leora and Ezra.

Selected Sermons & Teachings Archive:

• Never Doubt The Impact You Have
• Pesach: From Slavery to Freedom
• Charoset: A Microcosm of the Passover Narrative
• God of Vengeance or God of Compassion
• Surprising Jewish Communities Around the World
• The Origins of Tikkun Leil Shavuot