The central prayer of Jewish tradition begins with the word Shema, which means, roughly, “Listen!” Dr. Tom Lobaugh will be a guest speaker at Shabbat evening services, and will address the topic of Listening. Dr. Lobaugh's wisdom around listening would be of great help to us, especially as we try to fulfill this Jewish obligation during these times when we live in such a divided and noise-filled world.

For more than twenty-five years, Tom has been working alongside entrepreneurs, organizations, coaches, and student athletes, as an Inspiration Consultant for the company he founded, Inspire Excellence. Tom has been called "a custom purveyor of excellence" by inspiring others to elevate their vision using their creative imagination to change behaviors with a plan for their success.

Tom is an Adjunct Professor at Boise State University, teaching Listening, Ancient Religious Practices of Hospitality in a Selfie World, and Ethics. He is the author of Broken Hearts, Open Doors: The Art of Welcoming Others (Inspire Excellence, 2012).

Prior to Tom's professional career as a speaker and Inspiration Consultant he played football and high jumped in college and served in congregational ministry throughout the United States and other parts of the world. He  earned a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary, a Masters of Divinity form Princeton Theological Seminary, and a BA in Business Management from Whitworth University.