Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation in Seattle announces hire of new Rabbi Yonatan Gilbert

Rabbi Yonatan Gilbert

After an extensive two-year search process, Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation (SBH) has announced the selection of Rabbi Yonatan Gilbert as its new rabbi.

The congregation formally approved Rabbi Gilbert's appointment in a unanimous vote of the membership on May 19, marking the culmination of a thorough search led by the synagogue’s Rabbinic Search Committee.

SBH President Jack Gottesman, who also chaired the search committee, expressed enthusiasm about the congregation’s decision.

“He really is a great fit for our community,” Gottesman said. “He aligns with our values, he aligns with our approach to Judaism, and our approach to the service of God. He especially aligns with our Sephardic worldview, even if he himself isn’t Sephardic. We couldn’t have asked for a better fit.”

The search committee spent more than two years evaluating candidates from across the country, seeking a rabbi who could honor the congregation’s rich Sephardic traditions while helping guide its future growth and development.

Rabbi Yonatan Gilbert currently serves as the Rosh Beit Midrash of the Community Beit Midrash in Cleveland, Ohio and teaches Gemara at Fuchs Mizrachi School. Previously, he served for six years as Assistant Rabbi of the Turkish Sephardic synagogue and community in Mexico City. Ordained by the Israel Chief Rabbinate, Rabbi Gilbert combines extensive Torah scholarship with advanced training in mental health, counseling, mediation, and halachic decision-making. He is a graduate of the Eretz Hemda Manhigut Toranit Program, an Advanced Torah Fellow of the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, and holds postgraduate degrees in family therapy, couples therapy, and Jewish education. Rabbi Gilbert is currently a participant in the Montefiore Dayanut Program. He and his wife, Yahav, are the parents of four sons.

Rabbi Gilbert plans to take up his post in Seattle in time for this year’s High Holidays in September.