Neil Blumofe is the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin, a growing congregation of 560 families.
Rabbi Blumofe holds a BA in English and Political Economy from Tulane University as well as Masters Degrees in Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages, Sacred Music, and Rabbinic Studies. He holds Rabbinic Ordinations from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in New York and the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles. Rabbi Blumofe also holds the diploma of Hazzan (Vocal Cantorial Arts) from JTS. He has also studied at Ohr Somayach Yeshiva in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Blumofe serves on the Boards of the Texas Freedom Network, and KUT Radio (Austin Public Radio). He serves as Adjunct Faculty at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and St. Edwards University, teaching courses about Jewish Identity, Theology, Literature and Culture. He also works extensively with the Islamic Dialogue Student Association at the University of Texas and many area churches and schools, promoting mutual learning opportunities in the Jewish and Muslim and Christian communities.
His academic interests include researching reactions and responses to post-modernism (include thinking about the limits of Theology after the Shoah) the exploring the writings of SY Agnon and their importance in revealing a sustainable Judaism in the 21st century.
He is also a sacred singer, composer and teacher. A classically-trained pianist, schooled in jazz saxophone in New Orleans, he has released, “Piety and Desire,” (2006: Horeb Records) a project of original compositions that bring together the sounds of jazz and hazzanut (Jewish liturgical music), in the recreation of a traditional Jewish wedding. This music joins earlier projects, “Moses’ Muses” (2004; Horeb Records) and “Root Music, vol. 1,” a survey of Jewish synagogue and folk music.
At Congregation Agudas Achim, where he served as Hazzan from 1998 until May 2009, Rabbi Blumofe enjoys leading the community in inspiring and participatory prayer, teaching students of all ages, pastoring to the community’s diverse membership and participating in all aspects of this growing vibrant and welcoming community. He has established a national reputation as a creative leader of worship and transmitter of Jewish musical traditions, ancient to modern. He is known as a discerning improviser in prayer, concerned with caring for and uplifting a congregation.
Additional information may be found at www.horebrecords.com or at http://www.neilblumofe.com/.
