Rabbi Emeritus James L. Apple, a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1965. He earned his Doctorate of Theology from the Evangelical Bible College and Seminary in 1969.
From 1970-1996, Rabbi Apple served with distinction in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He retired with the rank of Captain. He then served as Rabbi at Temple of Israel from July 1996 until July 2003. He has also pastored congregations in Concord, H.H. and Columbia, S.C. He is also a certified Master Law Enforcement Chaplain.
Rabbi Apple is the author of the book, Payday, Someday, a collection of 16 sermons that he preached at Temple of Israel. He wrote about his rabbinate in the book What Kind of Job is This for a Nice Jewish Boy? He has also authored various magazine articles. He currently teaches at Cape Fear Community College. During the summer he is an umpire in the Wilmington Senior Softball Association.
Rabbi Apple can be reached at: japple2665@aol.com.