Rockland County, New york. Synagogues In conjunction with the Rockland County Board of Rabbis

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1 Rockland County, New york Synagogues In conjunction with the Rockland County Board of Rabbis

2 welcome! In Pirkey Avot (Sayings of the Fathers), Rabbi Hillel says: do not separate yourself from the community. Synagogues offer many things including Jewish education, opportunities for personal growth, a spiritual connection, a venue for life-cycle events and a focal center to respond to communal concerns and crises. But most important, synagogues are communities. Members support each other in both good times and bad and create a sense of extended family. I hope that you find your extended family through this guide. The synagogues in it are all members of the Rockland County Board of Rabbis. They are communities ranging from Reform to Traditional in their practice. And they would love the opportunity to welcome you. To help you connect, the Rockland Jewish Initiative (RJI) is offering a grant towards membership in these synagogues, if you have not been a member of a Rockland synagogue for the past three years. Find out more about our New Member Grant online at L shalom, Cantor Barry Kanarek, Director Rockland Jewish Initiative Table of Contents Conservative Synagogues Congregation Sons of Israel, Upper Nyack, NY Montebello Jewish Center, Montebello, NY Nanuet Hebrew Center, New City, NY New City Jewish Center, New City, NY Orangetown Jewish Center, Orangeburg, NY West Clarkstown Jewish Center, New City, NY REFORM SYNAGOGUES Beth Am Temple, Pearl River, NY Temple Beth El, Spring Valley, NY Temple Beth Sholom, New City, NY Temple Beth Torah, Upper Nyack, NY TRADITIONAL SYNAGOGUES Congregation Shaarey Israel, Suffern, NY

3 Congregation Sons of Israel Rabbi: Ariel L. Russo Cantor: Michael Kasper Education Director: Benjamin Lewis C ongregation Sons of Israel (CSI) Nyack is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue, led by our spiritual leader Rabbi Ariel Russo and Hazzan Michael Kasper. We are a Big Tent congregation and as such, we celebrate the unique diversity of our members, including interfaith families and members of the LGBTQ community. Our multi-generational programs appeal to the entire community and our close-knit membership of 200 families. We invite families with young children to learn about our innovative, student-centered boutique Hebrew school. We are the only synagogue in Rockland County offering Hebrew school on Saturday morning as our core day of school. Our preschool, Jewish Preschool of the Nyacks, is open to Jewish preschoolers of all denominations. It welcomes affiliated and nonaffiliated families. We offer diverse programming for tots with classes such as yoga, Hebrew immersion, gym time, and music. We hold family-friendly Friday night services monthly, Tot Shabbat each Saturday morning, and free weekly story times during the summer and winter. Our Camp Fun and Sun (ages 2-4) takes the values from our preschool and puts them outside during the summer with fun water activities, art, sports, and more. We offer award-winning adult education programs including visiting scholars. Our young adult group Jews on the Hudson combines socializing and social action in downtown Nyack. We hope you will visit and become part of our synagogue family. Congregation Sons of Israel 300 North Broadway Upper Nyack, NY Phone: (845) csioffice@optonline.net 3

4 Montebello Jewish Center Rabbi: Adam Baldachin Cantor: Michelle Rubin Educational Director: Michelle Rubin M ontebello Jewish Center, an Egalitarian synagogue affiliated with the Conservative movement, strives to bring the beauty and depth of the Jewish tradition to the residents of Western Rockland and Bergen Counties. We are proud to see ourselves as a congregational family, invested in living a life of commitment to our values and aspirations. We are constantly searching and learning together to improve our lives and the world beyond the walls of our sanctuary. Our community is a place for people of all backgrounds and knowledge, who celebrate Judaism in a warm and energetic environment. We are a congregation who loves to sing, laugh, learn, question, and practice our creativity in the presence of people we have known for years and those whom we have just met. Through our passion and dedication to Jewish living, personal connections and a love of the land and people of Israel, the MJC congregational family prides itself on its warm community of multi-generational individuals and families. We strive to create a home for vibrant, participatory, and musically inspiring prayer, engaging educational classes for all ages and interests, as well as innovative social programming. We are committed to cultivating a love of Judaism for our youngest members, inspired through our youth groups, nursery and religious schools as well as our continuing learners who enjoy a myriad of programs and classes. We look forward to meeting you at our next event! Montebello Jewish Center 34 Montebello Road Montebello, NY Phone: (845) office@montebellojc.org 4

5 Nanuet Hebrew Center Rabbi: Paul Kurland Cantor: Barry Kanarek Educational Director: Tamar Luscher We invite you to ask us about our new self-directed pledge structure! N anuet Hebrew Center, conveniently located in New City, just off exit 10 of the Palisades Parkway, is recognized as one of the first synagogues in the NY metro area to change its traditional membership dues to a self-directed pledge structure. Our goal is to be more open, inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of financial or personal situations. We have replaced dues in their traditional sense with an annual self-directed pledge. We also have eliminated the mandatory building fund requirement, which had become a sticking point with potential new congregants. NHC has a history of serving the Town of Clarkstown and greater Rockland County for close to 75 years. We are a multi-generational egalitarian Conservative Jewish center, actively affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Jewish Federation of Rockland and Big Tent Judaism / Jewish Outreach Coalition. NHC is a valuable resource for the entire community. This includes religious services, along with a wide range of educational, social, and social action programs for all generations. Starting with a free K-2 program (for ), our religious school offers innovative curriculum up through Bar and Bat Mitzvah age, along with award winning USY and Kadima youth groups, high school program, adult education, weeknight and Sunday morning minyans and Shabbat and holiday services. Contact us for more information or visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/nanuethc. Come be a part of our extended family. You are always welcome at NHC! Nanuet Hebrew Center 411 South Little Tor Road New City, NY Phone: (845) office@nanuethc.org 5

6 New City Jewish Center Rabbi: David Berkman Asst. Rabbi: Jeremy Ruberg Cantor: Hal Rifkin Educational Director: Lynne Diwinsky N ew City Jewish Center has been at the heart of Jewish Rockland for over fifty years. We view community engagement as central to our mission and our members proudly serve in positions of leadership and as volunteers in virtually every major Jewish communal organization in Rockland County. We are a warm and inviting congregation, a Jewish home where lifelong friendships are formed. The NCJC Early Childhood Center is a fully licensed preschool program, providing a stimulating environment for children, rich in Jewish learning. From Mommy and Me to Pre-K, our outstanding program includes enriching activities for growing minds such as yoga and movement through sports. Additionally, a full array of family experiences are offered 6 including our monthly M&M Shabbat attracting families from across Rockland County. NCJC is also proud of our strong Hebrew School program which provides our children with a solid foundation of Jewish knowledge while instilling a love of being Jewish. Teachers and youth staff convey a deep love of Judaism while giving students the tools necessary to become knowledgeable participants in the Jewish community. At NCJC, there are a multitude of entrance points available for people of all ages including but not limited to daily morning and evening services, young family holiday programming, continuing education opportunities for adults and social events for seniors. Rabbi Berkman, Rabbi Ruberg and the rest of the NCJC family would love to get to know you. Please call the office for more information, check us out at or just come by! New City Jewish Center 47 Old Schoolhouse Road New City, NY Phone: (845) sharon@newcityjc.org

7 Orangetown Jewish Center Rabbi: Craig Scheff Rabbi: Paula Mack Drill Rabbi: Ami Hersh Educational Director: Sandra Borowsky F or over 50 years, Orangetown Jewish Center has shared the warmth and spirit of Conservative Judaism with Jews throughout Rockland County, NY and Bergen County, NJ. We are a welcoming, inclusive egalitarian synagogue that offers something for every interest and need. Our vibrant religious school starts in kindergarten and continues into an award-winning youth program, Na aseh, Hebrew High and USY wrapped up into one learning experience, chosen recently as USY s International Chapter of the Year. Sisterhood and Men s Club provide a broad and stimulating spectrum of adult education and social programs. And our worship services? They are nothing short of enlightening and soul-stirring. OJC is always filled with youth at family services, Shabbaba Shabbat and Early Kabbalat Shabbat singing on the bima and attending our family education programs. During the years that children spend as a part of our religious school community, we provide the education and skills they need to live a Jewish life, as well as the motivation and commitment to do so. We offer a wide variety of topics and formats of ongoing education, so there is truly something for everyone to begin or continue a lifetime of learning. There are membership plans to suit every need and budget, and High Holiday tickets are included at no additional charge for members in good standing. Whether it s religious school, Sisterhood, Men s Club or Hazak for older adults, OJC offers the perfect climate to build friendships through meaningful experiences. Won t you join us in prayer, study, social action and interaction? We look forward to welcoming you as part of our committed, vibrant community. Orangetown Jewish Center 8 Independence Avenue Orangeburg, NY Phone: (845) office@theojc.org 7

8 West Clarkstown Jewish Center Rabbi: Dr. Jill Hackell Holiday Cantor: Ilana Boin W est Clarkstown Jewish Center is a small Conservative synagogue that cares about each and every person. We are an egalitarian community where women and men, and Jews of all orientation are welcomed as full participants. We are a community that practices gemilut hasadim, acts of love and kindness, including visiting the sick, comforting mourners, coming to the aid of those in need, and participating in the community kosher food pantry. We have a deep commitment to the State of Israel. Our weekly Shabbat services include a Kabbalat Shabbat each Friday at 6 PM, with a special musical service once a month. We also offer weekly Shabbat morning services, beginning at 9:30 a.m.; Torah reading includes a d var torah by our rabbi and an open discussion of the parasha. The service is followed by a light Kiddush lunch and informal talk around the Shabbat tables. 8 Our user-friendly prayer book contains a modern new translation, transliteration of all prayers, notes and meditations. We learn and grow Jewishly through lunch-and-learn series led by Rabbi Hackell, and we celebrate the holidays together: lunch in the Sukkah; family Hanukkah celebration; Purim mishloach manot and Purim-shpiel; Shavuot luncheon. Our active Sisterhood and Men s Club offers members an opportunity to serve the congregation through social and social action programs. If you are looking for a place where you can be yourself, with a community of people who celebrate life s joys and sorrows together, who learn together, and make a joyful noise together, we may be the place for you. Please visit our newly-rebuilt sanctuary and join us for prayer and study on any Shabbat or holiday. West Clarkstown Jewish Center 195 West Clarkstown Road New City, NY Phone: (845) wcjcoffice@verizon.net

9 Beth Am Temple Rabbi: Daniel Pernick Cantor: Marcy Kadin Principal: Barry Shainker B eth Am Temple has served the Jewish communities of Rockland and Bergen counties for over fifty years. Our name, which means House of the People, reflects the value we place on every temple member. Our Reform temple strives to keep our Jewish traditions fresh and meaningful. Our fullytransliterated prayer book makes worship accessible, even to non- Hebrew readers. We strive to provide a spiritual and supportive home for congregants of varying lifestyles and backgrounds. Our sanctuary bimah features a wall of Jerusalem stone, reflecting the Jewish tradition of praying while facing Jerusalem. We are a warm and heimish congregation which offers spirituality, creativity and learning. Our commitment to community means that we treat all members equally; we have no reserved seating for any service. While our religious school students lead the entire service on their Bar/ Bat Mitzvah day, the focus of our K-12 religious school is to provide a well-rounded Jewish education. Most of our b nai mitzvah continue their Jewish education in our Hebrew High School. We are also proud to offer Keshet, our specialneeds program. We are very active in social action, youth programming and adult education and are preparing for our sixth congregational trip to Israel. Beth Am Temple is committed to the Jewish values of God, Torah and Israel. We are a warm and welcoming community for Jewish and interfaith families, couples and singles. People tell us that we are a wonderfully unique congregation. We invite you to get to know us. Beth Am Temple P.O. Box East Madison Avenue Pearl River, NY Phone: (845) membership@bethamtemple.org 9

10 Temple Beth El Rabbi: Michael Churgel Cantor: Arlene Frank T emple Beth El is a warm and welcoming Reform Jewish community. We honor over 60 years of tradition and leadership while being committed to contemporary Jewish life. Temple Beth El (TBE) embraces interfaith and LGBT families, and our members consider their temple friends their second family. Our NYS-licensed universal prekindergarten and nursery programs start students on a journey of Jewish education that continues through 12th grade and into their adult lives. Our free kindergarten through third grade Hebrew school program is open to anyone in the community. Monthly Tot Shabbat programs offer young families a place to meet other Jewish families in worship and fun. TBE s NFTY-affiliated youth group is the largest in the area. Our dedicated advisor co-creates innovative programming with the teens, teaching leadership, responsibility and Jewish culture 10 through enjoyable and exciting social activities. TBE s dynamic Rabbi Michael Churgel and Cantor Arlene Frank are a team that lifts our spirits, and guides our worship during Shabbat, holidays and life events. Music enhances our worship experience; from Cantor s gifted voice to our adult and youth choirs and our Ruach Shabbat band. Our holiday traditions include eating in the Sukkah, exploring Torah on Simchat Torah, and a Purim spiel and carnival. Our adult education program, WRJ (Sisterhood) and Men s Club offer learning and social events for all ages, such as Broadway trips, bridge night, weight-loss workshops, book clubs, comedy night and our annual golf outing. Please join us any Shabbat. Call or visit and find out for yourself what belonging to our friendly, caring congregation is all about! Temple Beth El 415 Viola Road Spring Valley, NY Phone: (845) office1@templebethelrockland.org

11 Temple Beth Sholom Rabbi: Brian Leiken Cantor: Anna Zhar Educational Director: Marilyn Fellows T emple Beth Sholom (TBS) is a synagogue of and for modern Jewish families. We integrate the religious traditions of our past into today s secular world. TBS seeks congregants who will continue to nurture our community of Jewish worship, spirituality and friendship. TBS welcomes everyone who identifies themselves and/ or their family as Jewish. Our mission is to find ways to connect to G-d through study, prayer and life cycle events. We are there to celebrate the simchas and comfort the bereaved. We continue to deepen our outward understanding of G-d through social action and acts of Tikkun Olam. We also continue to nurture the inward quest for an understanding of G-d that has meaning for our minds, hearts and souls. We treasure our sense of community, and a true sense of belonging is our goal for every member of our temple family. We want TBS to be a place that your family wants to go to see friends and join in meaningful, joy-filled worship and learning. Our clergy, Rabbi Brian Leiken and Cantor Anna Zhar, strive to combine the comfort of traditional modes of worship with new and creatively-engaging ways to connect our religion, mind and spirit. Our nursery and religious schools cater to the highly scheduled lives of so many children and each school fosters a love of Judaism and Israel in our youth in a unique and creatively-engaging way. Our many clubs offer opportunities for members of all ages to come together to volunteer, serve and sometimes, just socialize and build relationships. Together we worship, we march for Israel, we study Torah, we educate our youth and so much more. We would love to have you join our community! Temple Beth Sholom 228 New Hempstead Road New City, NY Phone: (845)

12 Temple Beth Torah Rabbi: Douglas Kohn Cantor: Sally Neff Educational Director: Mara Lewin T emple Beth Torah is celebrating our 50th year at the core of Reform Judaism in Rockland County! We are renowned for our stability of clergy, outstanding Jewish education, award-winning youth groups and commitment to social action. A traditional Reform synagogue in a magnificent building, our congregation shares its enjoyment of music as we share in our spirituality. Our programming level affords everyone an opportunity to be as active as they wish without placing undue pressure for participation. Pick from our many social action initiatives, adult education programs, smaller social group gatherings or our jam-packed youth group calendar of events. 12 Being a warm and welcoming community, we share in our simchas and support each other in times of need. Our Bar/Bat Mitzvah program is engaging, loving and focused. The family s participation is of great significance as we see this as a family celebration of our religion. Our family services bring out a large group of young families with children to celebrate Shabbat, and our monthly Tot Shabbat program is an enriching musicdriven program for infants through three-year-olds. TBT s doors are open to all who want to embrace our Jewish traditions, including interfaith families, the LGBT community, and those with disabilities and challenges. Please feel free to contact Alona Mamet-Franchino, Temple Coordinator or Allen Fetterman, Temple President to arrange a visit. Temple BethTorah Temple Beth Torah 330 North Highland Avenue Upper Nyack, NY Phone: (845)

13 Congregation Shaarey Israel Rabbi: Reuven Stengel Cantor: Menachem Bazian President: Mimi Marenberg C ongregation Shaarey Israel is a Traditional Synagogue dedicated to the spiritual fulfillment and connection to the Jewish community. We are a warm and welcoming community where friendships can be made and support given during all of the life cycle events. Our synagogue is housed in a beautiful building with an exterior of Jerusalem stone and an interior filled with the works of artists. Our pews were crafted in Israel. We are conveniently located off Exit 14B on the NYS Thruway. Children play a central role in our synagogue life. Our religious school encompasses children 5-13 years old. Now in its 5th year, we take pride in our Hebrew School curriculum of Torah studies and the Hebrew language which is tailored to meet each student s needs and level. Other activities include participation in Friday night services and Jewish cooking. Rabbi Stengel personally trains every Bar/ Bat Mitzvah student. There are financial incentives available for new member families. Daily morning and evening minyans are held throughout the year. Shabbat and Holiday Services begin at 8:45 AM and are followed by a Kiddush luncheon. Our diverse programs are family oriented, educational, social, engaging and innovative. The synagogue has an active Sisterhood and Men s Club. Congregation Shaarey Israel participates in AIPAC conventions and marches in the Salute to Israel parade each year. We look forward to having you join us for Shabbat and any of our activities. Our caring synagogue community awaits you. Congregation Shaarey Israel 18 Montebello Road Suffern, NY Phone: (845) rabbistengel@optimum.net 13

14 Rockland County, New York WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY NEW JERSEY 1 1. Beth Am Temple, Pearl River, NY 2. Congregation Shaarey Israel, Suffern, NY 3. Congregation Sons of Israel, Upper Nyack, NY 4. Montebello Jewish Center, Montebello, NY 5. Nanuet Hebrew Center, New City, NY 6. New City Jewish Center, New City, NY 7. Orangetown Jewish Center, Orangeburg, NY 8. Temple Beth El, Spring Valley, NY 9. Temple Beth Sholom, New City, NY 10. Temple Beth Torah, Upper Nyack, NY 11. West Clarkstown Jewish Center, New City, NY 7 14

15 about us The Jewish Federation of Rockland County is the heart and soul of the Jewish community, raising money to support local and international programs, services and organizations. Our mission is Tikkum Olam repairing the world. Locally, Rockland Federation s efforts include: PJ Library, a program that currently serves over 300 children with free monthly books as well as special events for young families. Adult Jewish Education, with more than 100 adults studying each week in various classes including the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, and Midreshet Rockland. Leadership Development Institute (LDI), now in its fifth year of training the next generation of local Jewish leaders. Rockland Jewish Initiative (RJI), which is aimed at reenergizing synagogue life (read more at right). Through our partners, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Joint Distribution Committee, the Jewish Federation provides services in Israel and overseas, wherever there are Jews in need. In times of crisis, Rockland Federation is uniquely positioned to serve as a central point of assistance to coordinate funds, volunteers and donations and to work with our agencies to get help where it s most needed. We successfully led large-scale relief efforts for victims of the Haiti earthquake in 2010, Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and for Israelis during the 2012 and 2014 Hamas attacks. As a member of Jewish Federations of North America, we are part of a network of 153 Jewish Federations across the continent. As such we are able to mobilize quickly and respond to needs wherever they might be, at home, in Israel or around the globe. In Rockland and worldwide, Federation ensures a bright future for all. The Rockland Jewish Initiative (RJI) was created in July 2012 by Rockland resident Lisa Green, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Rockland County. Its mission is to energize synagogue life in Rockland through partnerships in synagogue transformation. The Rockland Jewish Initiative works with synagogues through grants to engage members and new leadership, through showcasing models, projects and ideas for synagogue renewal, and by bringing speakers and workshops on synagogue transformation to Rockland. Learn more at Jewish Federation OF ROCKLAND COUNTY THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY. jewishrockland.org JewishFederationRC jewishrockland 15

16 Engage in synagogue life Connect. Be inspired. We are here for you! jewishrockland.org/rji x170