Rabbi Leigh Lerner graduated from Duke University with a degree in English. He subsequently entered Hebrew Union College, and was ordained in 1972. He was senior Rabbi at Mt. Zion Temple in St. Paul, Minnesota where he renewed Black/Jewish dialogue. In March 1989 he was appointed Senior Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom (Montreal).
Rabbi Lerner has served as President of the Montreal Board of Jewish Ministers, President of the Canadian Region Central Conference of Reform Rabbis, is a board member of Mazon Canada (Jewish Response to Hunger), Vice-President of ARZA (Canadian Association of Reform Zionists), and served on the Board of Directors, League of Human Rights in Montreal.
Rabbi is Past President of the Montreal Christian Jewish Dialogue and supporter of the Montreal Muslim Jewish Dialogue. Rabbi is a member of the Advisory Council of Across Boundaries Multifaith Institute.