Har Sinai Congregation has elected Rabbi Benjamin Sharff unanimously to become its 14th rabbi since its founding in 1842. He will assume the spiritual leadership of the Reform congregation in Owings Mills on July 1.

“One of the main goals of my rabbinate is to help others to understand the beauty and complexity of our religion, our people and our tradition,” Sharff said in a statement circulated by Har Sinai. “I also believe in the evolving tradition of Torah and want to help others discover the beauty, and insights contained in our texts, literature, traditions, customs and liturgies. I am committed to lifelong learning and helping others raise their own Jewish literacy and knowledge. I am excited to share these goals with Har Sinai’s congregants and the Baltimore Jewish community.”

Sharff comes to Baltimore from Temple Emanu-El in Tuscon, Ariz., where he has been associate rabbi since 2005.The son of a Reform rabbi, he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and his rabbinic ordination and a master’s degree in Hebrew letters from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 2004.

At Temple Emanu-El, according to a release by Har Sinai, Sharff coordinated and taught adult and youth education programs and communal outreach programs, engaged in interfaith activities and discussions and participated in the larger Tucson Jewish community, spearheading the drive to increase Temple Emanu-El’s presence in northwest Tucson. He served as editor of The Comic Book Siddur as a unique outreach to Jewish youth. Additionally, he conducted both traditional and creative worship services and ministered to the congregants’ spiritual, personal and religious needs.

“We were impressed by Rabbi Sharff’s presence, his warmth, his success with youth programs and his ability to engage all members of the congregation,” Har Sinai President Louise Zirretta said. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Rabbi Sharff to our congregation.”