Our Rabbi - J

Rabbi Mark Zimmerman

Rabbi Mark Zimmerman, our senior rabbi, has been an integral part of Congregation Beth Shalom since 1988. And the rabbinate has been an integral part of Rabbi Zimmerman’s family for at least 12 generations.  Rabbi Zimmerman inspires our congregation with his passion for Judaism, for Israel, and for teaching and learning at Beth Shalom.

He has developed creative family and adult education programs and easily engages children and adults in synagogue life with a myriad of great programs. Under his leadership, we are treated to a variety of opportunities to connect with our Judaism and our community.

Rabbi Zimmerman earned his BA in sociology from the University of Florida before attending the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He  pursued studies in Jerusalem at the Hebrew University at Mt Scopus and at Neve Schechter,  the Seminary’s campus in Israel. He continually improves his professional knowledge through academic study, Jewish communal experiences and a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership. In 2017 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity by the Jewish Theological Seminary for his years of dedicated service to Conservative Judaism and to the Jewish people.

Rabbi Zimmerman is a past president of the Southeast Region of the Rabbinical Assembly. He has also served as President of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association, as well as on the board of the Atlanta Jewish Federation, the Weber High School and the Epstein School. Rabbi Zimmerman is a member of AIPAC National Council, and  has also served in several leadership capacities in the Atlanta interfaith community, and as chaplain of the City of Dunwoody and Alpharetta Police Departments. 

Throughout his career he has distinguished himself in all aspects of rabbinic service, including the development of the website www.sidduraudio.com and www.haftorahaudio.com to make learning the Siddur and how to chant haftarot more accessible, and also by creating several innovative family and adult education programs.

Rabbi Zimmerman and his wife Linda have three children, Miryam, Ilana and Avi, and five grandchildren Gavriel, Elchanan, Ora, Georgia and Maya.

Rabbi Eric Feld

Rabbi Eric Feld received his ordination from Hebrew College Rabbinical School located in Boston, MA.  As of July 1,2023,  he has become Beth Shalom Assistant Rabbi & Director of Life Long Learning.

Rabbi Eric has served as the Assistant Director of the Genesis summer program at Brandeis University, the Hillel Director at Boston College, and the Rabbinic Intern with the Hillel Council of New England and with Hebrew College.  Prior to rabbinical school, he was a town planner in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (and remains an avid Tar Heels fan). He is a Southerner at heart, originally hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Rabbi Eric and his wife, Ashley, live in Dunwoody with their two young children—Ezra and Isaac, who are students at the Epstein School. Since recently settling in Atlanta, Eric and his family have become fond of Congregation Beth Shalom and are excited to be active members of the community.