Rabbi Lawrence Englander

Rabbi Lawrence Englander is a child of our congregation. He grew up, was confirmed and learned as a student rabbi from Temple Sinai. In July 2014, Rabbi Englander retired from Solel Congregation, of which he is the founding rabbi and served there since its inception in 1973, and renewed his connection with Temple.

Rabbi Englander received his Honours B.A. degree from York University in 1970. He then attended Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, receiving ordination as rabbi in 1975.

Rabbi Englander received his Doctorate of Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1984, in the field of Jewish Mysticism and Rabbinics. He has taught in the Religious Studies Department at York University and spent a semester teaching rabbinical students at Leo Baeck College in London, England. He has written several articles on Jewish Mysticism, as well as a book, The Mystical Study of Ruth, published by Scholars Press. He is former Editor of the Central Conference of American Rabbis Journal.

Rabbi Englander has also played an active role in establishing two Mississauga interfaith organizations: Foodpath, a community food bank; and Pathway, a non-profit housing corporation, of which Rabbi Englander was the founding President. In 2005 he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for his work in the community.

Both Rabbi Englander and his wife Cheryl are natives of Toronto.