Josh Franklin - Speaker

Rabbi Josh Franklin is the senior rabbi at the Jewish Center of the Hamptons (East Hampton). In his seven years on East End, he has helped revitalize and grow the Jewish community through engaging programming, transformative classes, inspiring worship, and welcoming community outreach. Hundreds of people flock to his community for Shabbat on the Beach each week over the summer for an innovative and magical prayer experience. He draws people to the Jewish Center of the Hamptons year round to hear and learn from him. In addition to his role at the synagogue, Rabbi Franklin contributes widely to the greater Hamptons community. He co-writes a bi-monthly column in Dan’s Papers called “Hamptons Soul,” discussing issues of spirituality and justice in the Hamptons. He has sat on numerous local committees, including the East Hampton Police Reform Committee and the Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force. He also sits on the board of L’Arche Long Island, a community center and home for adults with developmental disabilities. Rabbi Franklin was named to the 2021 Schneps Media Powerlist, honoring the movers and shakers on the East End of Long Island. Dan's Papers named Rabbi Franklin one of its “People of the Year: East Enders Who Made the World A Better Place in 2022.” Before receiving his ordination at Hebrew Union College, Rabbi Franklin attended Clark University in Worcester, MA. There he graduated Magna Cum Laude, receiving both a B.A. and M.A. in History, focusing on Holocaust and Genocide Studies. He also holds two additional master's degrees in Jewish Education and Hebrew Literature.