Who is Rabbi Nate Crane?

Upcoming FJMC Webinar speaker has deep Jewish leadership roots

By Norwin Merens

Rabbi Nate Crane is the rabbi at Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah in Wilmette, Ill., having assumed the pulpit in 2019.

Norwin Merens

Building on his current leadership, Rabbi Crane also serves on the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS), the governing body of 25 voting rabbis determining Jewish law and practice for the Conservative movement as a whole. Rabbi Crane follows a tradition of Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah rabbinical predecessors who served on the CJLS, including Rabbi Dr. Reuven Hammer, z” l, Rabbi David H. Lincoln, z”l, and Rabbi Dr. Allan D. Kensky.

Rabbi Crane is the author of the teshuvah (responsum) “Adoption,” approved by a unanimous vote of the CJLS. This responsum explores the halakhic status of people who have been adopted, including the parental and filial obligations involved, and offers a Jewish ritual and accompanying documents to celebrate and mark adoption. In 2020, he co-authored the CJLS’ COVID-19 Guidance for Kol Nidrei with Rabbi Pamela Barmash, chair of the CJLS.

Continuing his engagement in Jewish thought leadership, Rabbi Crane was a Rabbi Samuel T. Lachs Fellow with Clal-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, in partnership with the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He was one of ten rabbinic LEAP Fellows selected for the 2020-2021 academic year, working to leverage, expand and popularize (LEAP) the most cutting-edge work emerging from academic Judaic studies.

Further reflecting his commitment to community service, Rabbi Crane sits on the board of the Anti-Defamation League’s Midwest Region and the Community Mikvah of the Conservative Movement. He is the recipient of the Start Me Up! Fellowship and Grant from Valley Beit Midrash.

Prior to his current leadership roles and before joining BHBE, he served as a rabbi at Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield, Ill., and most recently as a rabbi at Congregation Or Tzion in Scottsdale, Ariz. While at Congregation Or Tzion, Rabbi Crane founded the nonprofit Hagigah: Dedicated to Providing Accessible, Engaging and Fun Jewish Holiday Celebrations for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families.

Rabbi Crane’s academic journey has also shaped his path. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from American Jewish University in Los Angeles and a master’s degree in rabbinic studies and ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, also in Los Angeles.

He is married to Rachel, and together they have two daughters.

Norwin Merens is a HaD’Var contributing writer.