Rabbi Hanan Leberman
Rabbi Hanan Leberman serves as the spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, bringing warmth, heart, and dynamic leadership to our multigenerational community. He and his family, his wife Ariel and their children, Leo and Charlotte, have become an integral part of synagogue life, building meaningful relationships and inspiring connection, learning, and a lot of joy.
Before stepping into the role of rabbi, Rabbi Hanan enriched our congregation for many years as a cantor and guest teacher. His transition into full-time rabbinic leadership has been a natural and deeply felt continuation of his journey with our community.
A Journey of Passion and Purpose
Born in Chicago and raised in Philadelphia, Rabbi Hanan followed his heart to Israel at age 20, fulfilling a lifelong Zionist dream. He served with distinction in the IDF’s elite undercover counter-terrorism unit, Duvdevan, often acting as the unit’s cantor during his three years of service.
After completing his military service, he turned his focus to music, studying at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and performing as a professional opera singer across Israel and Europe, including the Glyndebourne Opera Festival in England and as Tamino in The Magic Flute in Italy.
But it was his love of Jewish prayer, teaching, and community that ultimately called him to the rabbinate.
From Cantor to Rabbi
Since 2012, Rabbi Hanan has led tefillot and served as a cantor for communities in Israel, England, and the United States. For many in the TIS community, his musical leadership during the High Holy Days over the past several years has been deeply meaningful. In 2022, he received smicha (rabbinic ordination) and began a new chapter of leadership, blending music, teaching, prayer, and pastoral care with compassion and insight.
Now at Tifereth Israel Synagogue
Rabbi Hanan brings a dynamic, heart-centered approach to spiritual leadership. Whether he's on the bimah, leading a text study, singing with preschoolers, or offering support in a moment of need, his presence is filled with warmth, energy, and care.
We invite you to connect with Rabbi Hanan whether at services, classes, celebrations, meaningful conversations, or just by reaching out.
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal z”l
Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal was a native Californian and grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.
While attending High School he also attended the Los Angeles Hebrew High, and was involved with numerous synagogue and youth activities. Rabbi Rosenthal received his B.A. from the University of California in San Diego and attended the Hebrew University in Jerusalem during his junior year.
After graduating college he entered rabbinical school at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, where he received a B.L. degree. He continued his studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York where he received his M.A. and rabbinic ordination. Rabbi Rosenthal served congregations in New Jersey, Florida and Orange County, California before becoming rabbi of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego, California, where he has served for over twenty nine years.
He was an Executive Board member of the Pacific Southwest Region of the Rabbinical Assembly and a Past President of the San Diego Rabbinical Association.
He and his wife, Judy, have three children: Adina, and her husband Jeremy; Adam, and his wife Sarah; and Margalit; two grandsons, Neriya Yitzchak and Zecharya Heschel Rosenthal and twin granddaughters, Michal Yedidya and Esther Netanya Rosenthal; and twin grandsons, Elijah Lev and Zev Augustus Gerstle, and a granddaughter, Liav Noa Rosenthal.