Alexandria Rabbi Honored at 10th Anniversary Celebration

The Beth El Hebrew Congregation in West End Alexandria honored Rabbi Brett Isserow Saturday evening on his 10th anniversary as rabbi for the congregation.

The Hebrew congregation, located at 3830 Seminary Road, held a reception and catered dinner with dancing.

Isserow is a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, where he practiced as a chartered accountant. In 1987, he came to the rabbinate and the United States at the same time, meeting his wife at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, where they both were studying for the Reform Jewish Rabbinate. 

He spent 11 years as associate rabbi at The Temple in Atlanta, Ga., before he and Beth El Hebrew Congregation found each other. 

“I count myself most fortunate to be surrounded by good and decent people who truly want to make this a kehilla kedosha, a holy community, for whom Jewish values take on real meaning. One only has to walk into the building to get a sense of its warmth and depth,” he said in a statement.

Linda Waller, president of Beth El said in a statement, “We have been so fortunate to have Rabbi Isserow as our spiritual leader.  He exemplifies derech eretz, the right way, and through his quiet leadership has greatly strengthened our congregation.”

Isserow is a member of the Ethics Committee of Inova Alexandria Hospital and president of the mid-Atlantic Conference of American Rabbis’ Board. He also is involved in a number of other interfaith and Jewish organizations.