Who the heck is Rabbi John Carrier? Am I even in the right place?
If you’re:
- Jewish, but not connected to a rabbi you can learn with…
- Not Jewish (yet), considering joining the Jewish people, but don’t know where to begin…
- Fully committed to another faith tradition, but want to know more about Judaism and the Jewish people…
…then you’ve come to the right place!
You, my friend, are what I like to call Jewcurious, and you are most welcome here.
On this website I’ll guide you as we explore Jewish wisdom, traditions, and customs together, from the unique perspective of the ultimate-outsider-turned-rabbi. I’m passionate about teaching everything I have learned to you and everyone like you: the Jewcurious.
What You Get
Through our learning together – via videos, podcasts, articles, and personal interaction – you’ll find yourself transformed from an am ha-aretz (ignoramus) to a talmid chacham (wise scholar), no longer feeling so awkward in a synagogue or bored at a Passover seder.
You’ll grow to understand the origin of ancient texts that build the foundation not only for a thriving and resilient Jewish people today, but also for the world’s major monotheistic faiths.
Finally – and most importantly – you will understand how these age-old ideas can help us solve modern problems and flourish in the world today, as it is, with the tools and resources we already have access to.
Who I Am
I am a rabbi – a teacher of Jewish wisdom and traditions – living in the Greater Los Angeles area. But nobody…NOBODY…saw that coming.
I was born into a family of Southern Baptist ministers. I was baptized Lutheran in Texas, confirmed Methodist in West Virginia, and went to an Episcopalian boarding school in Connecticut.
In college two important changes occured: 1) I decided I was too smart to believe in God, and 2) I married a Jewish woman.
In my twenties two more things happened: 1) I figured out I wasn’t as smart as I thought, and 2) I found a God I could believe in, as well a religion (Judaism) that welcomed questions and arguments rather than insisting on acceptance of easy answers that made no sense to me.
In my thirties, I went through divorce, financial struggles, doubt about my career, doubt about my own worth in the world, and the death of my brother. Through it all, it was my Jewish community (and my new wife) that supported me and nurtured me back to strength.
Why I Teach
Because of this, I made it my mission to take what I’ve learned – through all of it – and teach it forward.
So…If you’ve struggled with the hardships of modern life…I’ve been there.
If you long for a deeper connection with something greater than yourself, but your experience with God or religion so far has closed more doors than it opened…I’ve been there.
If you’ve found yourself seeking more meaning, joy, human connection, and personal growth in your life…I’ve been there, I’ve found something that works for me, and now I teach it every day.
Hey, it’s not right for everyone, but I built this site anyway…just it case it’s right for you.
How to Get Started
If you want to get a taste for how I teach, how I connect with my students, and how I think every Jewcurious person should approach their learning about Judaism, I highly recommend clicking on the picture below to download my free guide, “3 Things Jewcurious People Need to Upgrade Your Jewish Learning.”
It’s the guide I wish I had 20 years ago, and I wrote it to help you take your journey with as few roadblocks, potholes, and dead ends as possible. I hope you like it.
Until next time…
Peace,
John
PS…Almost forgot to mention: I’m having a blast right now hosting a podcast called “The Jewcurious Show.” It’s an interview show where I get to share the wisdom, insight and gifts of amazing guests from all over the Jewish world – rabbis, artists, social entreprenuers, stam yidn (regular Jews), and even people who are not Jewish but just…well, Jewcurious. CHECK IT OUT!