About Rabbi Michael Lotker

Rabbi Michael Lotker is a second career rabbi having been ordained at age 55 from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in 2003.  He is a physicist who spent his first career in Alternative Energy focusing on wind, solar and geothermal energy.

He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physics from Queens College in New York City and from the University of Illinois.  Prior to his ordination from HUC-JIR (the Reform movement’s rabbinic seminary) in 2003, he received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree from this same institution.  An entrepreneur, he started a number of alternative energy firms including a wind power development company that installed and operated wind farms in Hawaii and California.  He is widely published in the alternative energy field.

He is presently Rabbi Emeritus at Temple Ner Ami in Camarillo, California, the Scholar in Residence at Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks, CA and the Community Rabbi for the Jewish Federation of Ventura County. He is a member of the Central Conference of America Rabbis and the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. His interest and participation in interfaith dialogue stimulated his rabbinic thesis entitled “Ezer Knegdo: Toward a Theology of Jewish-Christian Partnership.” He is a sought after speaker at synagogues, churches and campuses.  In June, 2014, he offered the opening prayer at the United States House of Representatives  [click here to see it].

Rabbi Lotker is available to support community members with services as described below:

Weddings:
Rabbi Lotker’s flexible approach to weddings is to educate the couple about Jewish traditions and then have them make decisions about their wedding.  He will officiate at interfaith and same gender weddings and ceremonies and at local or destination venues.  
Click here to see some feedback from Rabbi Lotker’s weddings.

Funerals:

Rabbi Lotker meets with the family to plan a service that will honor the deceased and comfort their mourners.  He is flexible concerning cremations.  
Click here to see some feedback from Rabbi Lotker’s funerals.

Baby Namings:
From traditional Brit Milah to more modern approaches, Rabbi Lotker involves the whole family in the ceremony.

Ask the Rabbi:
Do you have any questions about Judaism?  Contact Rabbi Lotker and receive a quick response.

Classes, Presentations & Scholar-In-Residence

 Rabbi Lotker’s expertise covers a wide range of subjects including:

  • Introduction to Judaism
  • What Every Serious Christian Should Know About Judaism
  • Children of Abraham:  Understanding Judaism, Christianity & Islam
  • How a Rabbi/Physicist Views Religion, God and Belief
  • Understanding Jewish Sacred Literature:  The Bible, Talmud, Kabbalah and Beyond
  • The Afterlife
  • Focused Bible Study:  For Example, “What Really Happened in the Garden of Eden?”
  • What the Music of Fiddler on the Roof Can Teach Us About Judaism