According to an email to Temple Sholom members, the rabbi search committee and board of trustees have recommended Rabbi Ari Jun as the congregation’s next settled rabbi – the congregation’s term for its senior rabbi.
“It is the belief of the search committee and the board that Rabbi Ari Jun will be a perfect fit for Temple Sholom,” said Temple Sholom President Robin Miller in an email. “He understands the needs of the Cincinnati Jewish community, is a respected spiritual leader and scholar, and is devoted to social justice and tikkun olam, all characteristics we have been looking for.”
Temple Sholom has been looking for a new head rabbi since Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp left the congregation to head Judaism Unbound in 2023. Terlinchamp transformed the progressive synagogue and led the congregation to new ground.
Under her leadership, they sold their building in Amberly Village and moved to Blue Ash. Terlinchamp led the synagogue to more online programming before the COVID-19 pandemic and saw a 77% increase in congregants.
Interim Rabbi Laurie Green has led the synagogue while the search for a new settled Rabbi was underway.
Rabbi Jun is the son of two rabbis and attended the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he was ordained in 2015. Before his selection by Temple Sholom, Jun was the director of the Cincinnati Jewish Community Relations Council, where he worked until the Fall of 2024.
“Temple Sholom is excited and ready to embrace Rabbi Jun as our settled Rabbi,” said Miller. “The last year and a half have been challenging, but we are excited about the future. I am confident that the congregation will approve Rabbi Jun. Temple Sholom is a vibrant community and we embrace everyone with a strong leaning to social justice.”
The search committee has selected Jun, but the Temple’s congregation still needs to vote in a settled rabbi. The progressive synagogue requires a special meeting on December 18th, with two-thirds of the congregants in attendance.
“Temple Sholom has a well-earned reputation for integrating spiritual engagement with social action – it’s the kind of Jewish organization I have sought all my rabbinic career,” Jun said. “It would be a great honor to serve as Sholom’s rabbi, collaborating with this community to write the next chapter of its story.”
