Rabbi Philip "Flip" Rice

Rabbi Philip “Flip” Rice was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Miami, Florida. A graduate of the University of Virginia (1992) with a major in History, Flip holds a Masters in Western Religious Thought and Spirituality from Florida State University (1996). He received his Masters in Hebrew Letters in 1999, and was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2001. Flip served congregations in Southern and Central California, on the upper west side of Manhattan, and in Brooklyn, New York. He then assumed position of Assistant and then Associate Rabbi at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle, Washington. He is passionate about several aspects of his rabbinate, including innovative worship, and teaching how ancient texts can still speak to us today. He also enjoys practicing yoga, sailing, swimming, and spending time with his wife and three children.

Rabbinic Vision:  

The primary goal of the Rabbis Rice is to promote a vibrant spiritual life for Congregation Micah.  Working in partnership with lay leaders and other professionals, we respond to the needs of the congregation in an effort to retain our membership, as well as reach out to members of the community in order to build it.  We are committed to being rabbinic leaders who bring holiness, respect, self-awareness, and love of Judaism into everything we do, and seek to foster creative ways for everyone to strengthen their relationship with God, their love of Torah, and their sense of belonging in Klal Yisrael (the community of Israel).

God.  We seek to help others approach God through study, inspirational worship, holiday celebrations, and life cycle events.  We are committed to observing the full cycle of the Jewish calendar, creating holy moments and marking sacred times in the life of the community by drawing from all the rituals and liturgy of our tradition and composing contemporary, creative rituals when appropriate.  It is our hope to infuse our congregants with a sense of security and dignity in Reform Judaism, as well as help them to feel comfortable in any and all religious settings that they might encounter.

Torah.  We strive to offer remarkable formal and informal learning experiences for all members, and teach in a way that empowers others to shape their own spirituality.  We especially attempt to ensure that all of our youth develop a steadfast commitment to and love for Judaism. We support and guide interfaith families with opportunities to enhance their connection to the community and recognize their unique spiritual journeys.  We hope that every time someone enters the synagogue, they should be able to walk out with a sense of understanding they would not previously have had about why Judaism enriches their lives, an how it does so.  We are also dedicated to our own professional development and ongoing Torah study, as a model for our community.

Israel.   We are committed to a rabbinate that supports and advocates on behalf of the State of Israel and celebrates its culture.  We also seek to make connections to the people of Israel and other Jewish communities throughout the world.

It is our hope that as rabbis at Congregation Micah, we will model what it means to be a mensch!