New in Town

Hi, I'm Rabbi Joe Hample, a recent arrival in Crescent City and the new Jewish chaplain at Pelican Bay State Prison. Previously I've interned in a Southern California jail and a Harlem hospital, prayed at nursing homes in Buffalo, taught Russian immigrants in San Francisco. I consider it a privilege to work with underserved populations.

I was born and raised in New York State, moved to California in 1980, and spent many years as a systems analyst at Wells Fargo Bank. In 2004 I flew to Jerusalem to begin rabbinical studies. I was ordained last May by Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles.

My partner Barry Wendell is a Baltimore native, a retired schoolteacher, and a cantorial soloist. Barry and I are having fun exploring the amenities of the Redwood Empire, especially Temple Beth Shalom. We look forward to meeting you soon!