Rabbi King and the congregation he leads in Rancho Mirage, which serves all of Coachella Valley, can best be described as, “He’s not your grandfather’s Rabbi.” As you’ll read in a moment, another descriptor might be that he is a Renaissance Man, defined as a person with many talents or areas of knowledge and interests.
In addition to founding the Desert Outreach Synagogue (DOS) and serving as a spiritual leader and teacher, Rabbi King has had a fascinating journey from the corporate world to Rabbi.
He spent much of his early work life playing piano/organ and even turned down offers from Broadway and other performers. This love of music is a central focus of all services at DOS, with cantors, a choir, and musicians at nearly all services.
Instead of a music career, he became a businessperson working for Fortune 500 companies. Amidst a successful career, his perspective changed and caused him to think long and hard about becoming a rabbi. He had been thinking about it for a long time and had an epiphany on a fun business outing as he spent the day spelunking – crawling and working his way through a cave. He suddenly realized and knew that he must take whatever steps necessary to study and become a rabbi.
Years of study for the rabbinate followed, including a master’s degree in Rabbinical Studies and a doctorate in Spiritual Renewal, Contemplative Practice, and Strategic Leadership. His rabbinic career began here in the valley when he founded a synagogue in Idyllwild and served as the spiritual leader for Sun City Shadow Hills.
Graduation Day!
In 2016, he established DOS with the principles of “Anyone can feel at home with us, Jewish or not, agnostic or atheist, as well as interfaith families.” The credo for DOS is: “Come join us. You already belong.”
(Left to Right: Volunteering in Israel; at the gym; L’Chaim; with daughter Serena)
Aside from leading DOS and helping his congregants to make informed choices regarding Jewish beliefs and practices, his interests and hobbies are, indeed, reflective of a Renaissance person:
- He plays piano, organ, guitar, both 6-string and bass, trombone, saxophone, accordion, and various other instruments.
- Spent years racing – doing lots of races on a Trek bicycle.
- He taught spinning for 20 years and still spins at home for exercise.
- Loves to cook, especially baking.
- He served our country as an officer in the USAR as a Casualty Assistance Officer
- Traveling is what makes him the happiest, and he has traveled much of the world with more to come.
- He sang with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and considered it one of his greatest joys.
- Loves hot air balloon rides.
Regarding DOS, it is a vibrant, engaging, diverse, and welcoming congregation established to unite the Jewish population in the Coachella Valley. It strives to create a diverse community where everyone is welcome, from youth to senior, observant to unaffiliated, secular, and those seeking an alternative.
(Rabbi with Associate Rabbi Axelrad and Cantor Lori Reisman: at the annual Seder)
What motivates the Rabbi is several things. He has witnessed and experienced professional and personal grief and heartache and has learned how to help by offering guidance and spiritual care, even during the most difficult times. In addition, he loves celebrating the many joyous moments with those in the synagogue family and community.
Rabbi Dr. Jules King
760.818.3911
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004786455463
Website: https://my-dos.org
