Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch

Rabbi Neil Hirsch

Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch (he/him) is a rabbi at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. Originally from Houston, Texas, he originally came to the Northeast for college and stayed for the weather and the hiking. He earned his bachelor degrees in Art History and Classics from Tufts University. He was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City in 2010. Before coming to Great Barrington, Rabbi Hirsch served as one of the rabbis at Temple Shalom in Newton, Massachusetts.

Rabbi Hirsch is passionate about teaching Torah, whether during services on Saturday morning, in one of our adult learning courses, with our teens on a Confirmation Class trip, or over a good cup of coffee. He loves exploring the ways that our tradition speaks into an individual’s life, informing one’s spiritual development.

He serves on the Board of Trustees for Construct, Inc, a local organization that provides transitional and affordable housing, along with other wrap-around services to support its clients. Rabbi Hirsch is a founder of BASIC, a network of faith-based and human services organizations who ensure access to resources for our local immigrant community.

members of RAC-MA posed in a group photo at the launch event
Civil Rights & Voting Rights

Four Lessons from the Launch of RAC-Massachusetts

Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch
 June 14, 2022
On Sunday, June 12, 2022, congregants and clergy from over twenty Reform synagogues gathered at Temple Shalom of Newton for the launch of RAC-Massachusetts, the Religious Action Center’s ninth and newest statewide project. The room had an energy I haven’t felt since before the pandemic, reminding everyone there what can happen when we are in community.
A prison cell
Social Justice

Shavuot and Criminal Justice Reform

Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch
 May 11, 2018

Shavuot marks the end of the counting of the Omer, the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. Many view the counting of the Omer as a spiritual and conscientious practice—but while the Reform Jewish community conscientiously counts through 49 days, we know that there are many who count days, weeks, and years as they serve time in the criminal justice system.