Growing up at Valley Beth Shalom, in Encino, Rabbi Linson was influenced by Rabbis Ben Zion Bergman, Moshe Babin z’l, Matthew Simon, Harold Shulweis, and Cantor Samuel Fordis. At age 16, his deep connection with Judaism nurtured by parents, extended family and the synagogue, inspired his desire to become a Rabbi and to serve the Jewish Community.

He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley; Golden Gate University, and University of Judaism. He studied at Hebrew University, Jerusalem; Pardes Institute, Jerusalem and Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem.

The Rabbi met his Israeli bride, Sima Levy, while studying in Jerusalem. They have been blessed to raise three talented children. Rabbi Linson, in his deep connection to Judaism nurtured by his parents and his years growing up at Valley Beth Shalom, turned to the love of his life, his beautiful wife Sima, and with her blessing and the encouragement of his family, began to study, at age 49, at the University of Judaism for his second career. He was ordained five years later by the Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative movement, at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.

Rabbi Linson holds a degree in Near Eastern languages and advanced degrees in Rabbinical Studies, Business and Healthcare Services. He is a community leader with strategic vision and integrity. Temple Judea is fortunate to have him as our Rabbi to serve the spiritual and educational needs of Temple Judea’s members.

Temple Judea is pleased to introduce Cantor Cory Winter. Cantor Winter is a world renowned Chazan, having studied Chazanut under Max Janowski and Todros Greenberg. He received his Masters in Music  from Northwestern University. He is a member of both the Reform American Conference of Cantors and the Conservative Cantors Assembly.

Throughout his career, he has served both Reform and Conservative synagogues and seeks to combine the best of both traditions in his chanting. He is also a strong advocate of congregational singing at services. As a soloist, Cantor Winter has appeared with many orchestras, including the Chicago and San Francisco Symphony Orchestra on numerous occasions.

Temple Judea is the grateful benefactor of Cantor Cory Winter's decision to retire to South Orange County from Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Chicago, after serving as their cantor for the past 14 years.

Cantor Isaac Attias joined Temple Judea’s Choir in 1983.  He became Assistant Cantor in 1986 and has been associated with the Temple ever since.  Cantor Attias was born in Gibraltar.  He was educated at Madrid University and later received cantorial training and supervision in London from the Very Reverend, Dr. Isaac Cohen, former Chief Rabbi of Ireland.  His liturgical style is most influenced by the Sephardic, Ladino traditions that have been in his family for generations.  He has sung professionally throughout Europe and in New York.  He is currently an Associate Cantor at Temple Judea, where he performs his cantorial duties on selected Friday nights, Saturday mornings and for the High Holy Days.  He credits his musicality and his singing to his beloved parents.  His father was a very successful merchant and devoted his beautiful tenor voice to his synagogue.  His mother was an accomplished pianist.  Cantor Attias has and continues to perform at many Temple events.