About Us

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About Us

Who We Are
P'nai Or, which means Faces of Light, in Long Beach is a warm and welcoming Jewish community that joyfully embraces Judaism through Torah, prayer, learning, meditation, music and song. We draw on the wisdom from many traditions of Judaism. We are a diverse, egalitarian and spiritual community open to all who wish to explore walking a Jewish path together. Feel free to visit at anytime, all are welcome. P’nai Or began its journey in 2002 and is a non-profit unincorporated association.

Spiritual Leadership

Rabbi Micha’el Akiba has been a part of our community since its inception. He has been a guiding light to us both individually and as a community helping us to create a sacred and vibrant space that sees the potential in Judaism.

Along with guiding P’nai Or, Rabbi Micha’el Akiba also teaches Torah, Tanakh and Jewish Law at Los Angeles Hebrew High School; music at Growing Gardens Pre-School (Chabad) in Redondo Beach; teaches Hebrew and Kabbalah privately; and offers spiritual guidance to individuals (both in Southern California and as well to seekers from around the world).

Reb Micha'el (as his students call him) completed his doctoral coursework in music at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. While at USC, he was the conductor of the USC Mens’ Chorale and the assistant conductor of the internationally-known USC Chamber Singers. For many years, Micha’el worked professionally in Los Angeles as a musician, composer-arranger, and award-winning musical director.

Reb Micha’el received the personal semichah (ordination) of Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi. He received an M.A (in Ancient Near Eastern Studies: Languages and Literatures from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor); M.Div. and M.Th. (with an emphasis in exegesis and sacred liturgy from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago); and an M.Mus. (in orchestral conducting from Michigan State University, East Lansing).

In the secular world, Micha'el works as a private corporate consultant, helping companies to become high-performance teams by focusing on improving communication and developing their hidden inner strength.