Magnin served at the temple for 69 years and was considered one of the most prominent Jewish leaders in the United States,[1] sometimes called the "Rabbi to the Stars" because of his close connections to the Hollywood film industry.

[3] After becoming senior rabbi of the oldest Jewish congregation in Los Angeles in 1919, he distinguished his sixty-nine-year tenure at Wilshire Boulevard Temple through close ties with the motion picture and television industry.

[3] Magnin was in charge of the temple during the construction and opening of its Wilshire Center building, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[4] Among the many life-cycle events he performed were the wedding of Norma Shearer and Irving Thalberg, and the funerals of numerous entertainment figures and movie moguls.

[4] He participated in the inaugural ceremonies of Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Ronald Reagan, and served on more than 20 executive boards and advisory councils.