He weaves the story of Abraham with a smile that just won’t quit, the travails of Solomon with a love that bursts directly from his soul to your heart: this is not your father’s rabbi, this is the voice of the future of American Judaism. Rabbi Goodman’s credentials are as impressive as his youthful spirit and commitment. Born in Mexico City , he was voted President of the Latin American Union of Jewish Students. Singled out by international leaders for both

his ideas and hard work, young Felipe was promoted to vice president of the World Union of Jewish Students. In 1990, having earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from Mexico City ’s University of The New World , the young man began his rabbinical studies at The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Adding leadership responsibilities to his overwhelming study load, steadfast Felipe was elected President of the Rabbinical School student organization, moonlighting as chairperson of the Student Placement Service. He received a Masters Degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1993 and was ordained as a Rabbi in 1996.

Before joining Temple Beth Sholom in 1998, Rabbi Goodman served as assistant Rabbi in Comunidad Bet-El de Mexico in Mexico City , the largest conservative synagogue in Latin America . Rabbi Goodman’s charisma has made a profound impact on the Jewish community of Las Vegas . Attendance at Shabbat services has climbed from handfuls to hundreds, with eager, joyful numbers rising by the week; vibrant Temple Beth Sholom is anything but a synagogue of once-a-year congregants. Keeping with his tradition of extracurricular leadership, Rabbi Goodman remains active outside the synagogue. He was handpicked to be a member of The Chancellor’s Rabbinic Cabinet at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, one of only thirty American Rabbis so honored. In June 2002 Rabbi Goodman, along with seven others, was invited to serve on a special task force to discuss the results of the 2000 National Jewish Population Census. Rabbi Goodman is part of the Rabbinic Cabinet of The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles , and is currently serving as President of the Board of Rabbis of Southern Nevada. The official Pesach Haggadah of the conservative movement in Latin America was co-authored by Rabbi Goodman.

The most impressive quality about indefatigable Rabbi Felipe Goodman ? A chat with him is merely a phone call away, a heart-to-heart discussion a knock on his office door. Even if one chooses simply to sit and enjoy one of Rabbi Goodman’s sermons, it’s a pleasure encountering the man with the smile that just won’t quit.