Rabbi Neal Katz is the eighth full-time rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Tyler, TX since it began in 1887 and has served there since his ordination from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in 2003. Originally from Virginia Beach, VA, Neal attended George Mason University in Fairfax, VA where he received his undergraduate degree in political science and did graduate work in counseling. Neal has spent about three years in Israel as a student and working with tour groups. In Tyler, Neal is involved in many non-profit agencies. He is a past board chair of the Hospice of East Texas, PATH, and the Samaritan Counseling Center of East Texas (now MOSAIC). Neal also serves on the board of The Tyler Loop and the statewide Board of the Texas Freedom Network. He also currently serves on the Board of SWARR – Southwest Association of Reform Rabbis. Neal enjoys speaking to many different church and civic groups and is an adjunct teacher at UT Tyler, where he teaches an “Introduction to Judaism” course. Neal is also a musician, with 4 solo CDs to his name. He has also been involved in numerous other CD projects and musical productions.