Facebook feed from the Union For Traditional Judaism

Latest Posts:

• • Bo – Freedom is Complicated (1/19/24)
  • Walking and Chewing Gum: Why the Jewish Community Should Continue to Speak Out About Islamophobia (12/3/23)
  • Sahavuot – Yitro’s Hidden Advice (5/22/23)
  • Lech Lecha (also Vayeira) – Are We There Yet? (11/11/22)
  • Devar Torah for Yom Kippur 5783/2022 “Finding Yourself by Imitating Others” (10/22/22)
  • Kol Nidre 5783/2022 “Her Lips Moved, But Her Voice Was Not Heard: What The Physical Elements of Jewish Prayer Teach Us About Our Relationship With God” (10/16/22)
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5783/2022 “Choosing Life or Self-Censorship: Shmirat Halashon In the 21st Century” (10/9/22)
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5783/2022 “MicroMitzvot (10/4/22)
  • Shoftim: What Does Halakhah Mean? (9/1/22)
  • What Does the Word Pesach (פסח) Mean? (5/31/22)
  • חַד גַּדְיָא (Had Gadya) With Aramaic, English, and Sounds (3/22)

Divrei Torah (Sermons)

Holidays

Rosh Hashanah

• • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5765/2004 “A God of Justice and Mercy”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5765/2004 “God Doesn’t Ask the Impossible.”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5766/2005 “When I Grow Up”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5766/2005 “As We Are”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5767/2006 “Wrestling With the Angels”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5767/2006 “The Two Walked Together”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5768/2007 “The Wandering Parent”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5768/2007 “Homecoming”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5769/2008 “Restoring Your Faith In Humanity”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5769/2008 “Man Can Hear God and Live”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5770/2009 “The Value of Disaster”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5770/2009 “Today is the Creation of the World”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5777/2016 “A Healthy Dose of Criticism.”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5777/2016 “A Little Cheating”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5778/2017 “Hakarat Hatov (Being Thankful)”(9/21/17)
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5778/2017  “Flawed Heroes”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5779/2018 “Making God King”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5779/2018 “The Benefits of Being Stiff-Necked”
  • 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5780/2019 “Misbegotten Gains”
  • 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5780/2019 “Productive Regret”
  • VIDEO BELOW 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5781/2020 “Physically Distant, Spiritually Close”
    
• 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah 5783/2022 “MicroMitzvot”
• 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah 5783/2022 “Choosing Life or Self-Censorship: Shmirat Halashon In the 21st Century”

Yom Kippur

• Yom Kippur Day 5765/2004 “Why We Ask God to Remember Our Loved Ones”
• Kol Nidre 5766/2005 “The Opportunity Inherent in Sin“
• Yom Kippur Day 5766/2005 “You’re Not Chopped Liver”
• Kol Nidre 5767/2006 “Were Last Year’s Prayers Answered?”
• Yom Kippur Day 5767/2006 “Plastic Surgery for the Soul”
• Kol Nidre 5768/2007 “The Easiest Day to be a Jew”
• Yom Kippur Day 5768/2007 “Forgiveness”
• Kol Nidre 5769/2008 “Not A Panacea: Domestic Abuse and Substance Abuse in the Jewish Community”
• Yom Kippur Day 5769/2008 “In My Daughter’s Eyes”
• Kol Nidre 5770/2009 “What Kind of King Is God”
• Yom Kippur Day 5770/2009 “Holding On to the Past and Present, While Moving Into the Future”
• Yom Kippur 5777/2016
  • Kol Nidre “Images of God in Judaism”
  • Yom Kippur “Cultivating Our Divine Image”
  • Related source sheet from a shiur given before slichot at a different synagogue: Images of God in Judaism
• Devar Torah for Kol Nidre 5778/2017 “Committing to Torah”
• Devar Torah for Yom Kippur Day 5778/2017 “To Be A Kid Again”
• Devar Torah for Kol Nidre 5779/2018 “Three Steps to a Better You”
• Devar Torah for Yom Kippur Day 5779/2018 “Asking Constructive Questions”
• Kol Nidre 5780/2019 “Caring for the Oppressed” 
• Yom Kippur Day/Sh’mini Atzeret 5780/2019 “Making Emotional Connections”
• Devar Torah for Yom Kippur 5782/2021 “Yom Kippur – All I Really Need To Know I Learned from Coach Kozak” 
• Kol Nidre 5783/2022 “Her Lips Moved, But Her Voice Was Not Heard: What The Physical Elements of Jewish Prayer Teach Us About Our Relationship With God”
• Devar Torah for Yom Kippur 5783/2022 “Finding Yourself by Imitating Others”

Other Holidays

• Thanksgiving sermon at Long Beach Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration
• Passover:
  • Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
  • Became a Nation
  • What is this Worship to You
• Yizkor
  • Live Like You Were Dying
  • Yizkor and Aufruf
• Sahavuot:  Yitro’s Hidden Advice
• Sh’mini Atzeret: “Making Emotional Connections”

Weekly Torah Portions

Bereshith (Genesis)

• Bereshith: You Have Only Yourself to Blame
• Noah: Perfect in His Generation
• Lech Lecha:
  • Taking a Step
  • (also Vayeira): Are We There Yet?
  • (also Hayei Sarah) The Jewish Work Ethic
• Vayeira:
  • (also Lech Lecha): Are We There Yet?
  • (also Rosh Hashanah, Vayikra, Tzav, and Shemini): “Misbegotten Gains”
• Hayei Sarah (also Lech Lecha): The Jewish Work Ethic

Shemoth (Exodus)

• Shemoth:
  • The Potential for Good and Evil (discussion of tsunami, 1/1/05)
  • The True Nature of a Hero (Re inauguration of Preident Barack Obama, 1/17/09)
• Veara:
  • Getting in the Habit
  • Experiencing God Through Human Kindness
• Bo:
  • (also Vaetchanan) Freedom is Complicated
  • With What We Shall Worship the LORD?
• Yitro: (also Shavuot) Yitro’s Hidden Advice
• Mishpatim: On the place of Justice and Righteousness in Halakhah
• Tetzaveh (also Ki Tisa) Just Forty Days Later
• Ki Tisa:
  • Changing God’s Mind
  • Birthday Sermon
  • (also Tetzaveh) Just Forty Days Later
  • (also Ekev) A Stiff Necked People

Vayikra (Leveticus)

• Vayikra/Tzav/Shemini (also Rosh Hashanah and Vayeira): “Misbegotten Gains”
• Emor: Interview Shabbat

Bamidbar (Numbers)

• Naso: Relating to Yourself and Others
• Beha’alotcha:
  • You Can’t Always Get What You Want
  • Challenging the Status Quo
• Korach:
  • The Value of Dissent
  • The Opportunity to Serve

Devarim (Deuteronomy)

• Devarim: De-Escalation In the Torah: Where?
• Vaetchanan (also Bo): Freedom is Complicated
• Ekev:
  • Renewing Classic Debates in Judaism
  • (also Ki Tisa) A Stiff Necked People
• Reeh: What’s Wrong With Idolatrous Practices (First Shabbat with Temple Israel)
• Shoftim: What Does Halakhah Mean?
• Ki Tavo: Hayom (Today)
  

Holiday Instructions

• Shabbat Evening at Home
• Does One Wear Tefillin On Chol Hamoed
• Sukkot: An overview of the laws of sitting in the Sukkah
• Shemini Atzeret: Living in the Sukkah on Shemini Atseret
•  Passover:
  • Passover mailing (from the last year I was on a pulpit, 5770/2010, with an additional note added in 2012).
    • • Passover and Seder Preparation Guide
      • Chametz Sale Form
      • Ma’ot Chittim Information
    • Contract for Sale of Chametz Please note that many people prefer an option contract where the value of the chametz, and hence the sale price, would be determined at a later date. I prefer setting a fixed price for the chametz.
  • Prayer services for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day) This service follows the order in the Rinat Yisrael siddur. Rather than reproducing all of the prayers, only psalms and prayers not found in regular siddurim and chumashim are included in this pdf. Reference is made to page numbers in the Art Scroll siddur and Hertz Chumash as to where other texts may be found. This service can be easily integrated for synagogues using other siddurim and chumashim.
• Tisha b’Av/9 Days/3 weeks:
  • Laws of the 3 weeks, 9 days, and Tisha b’Av
  • Suggested Text Study Following Birkat HaTorah (The Blessing of Torah Study) On Tisha b’Av
• How to Light Chanukah Candles 5770/2009

Other Writings/Speeches

• Being a Halachic Jew: Why the Old Labels Just Don’t Fit
• Invocation at the 2004 Kristallnacht commemoration sponsored by the Holocaust Memorial Committee of Long Island.
• Invocation at the 2005 Kristallnacht commemoration sponsored by the Holocaust Memorial Committee of Long Island.
• Invocation at the 2009 Kristallnacht commemoration sponsored by the Holocaust Memorial Committee of Long Island.
• Opened letter regarding women’s roles in Temple Israel
• Response to Rabbi Herschel Schechter on Women as Rabbis
• Basic Judaism Course Materials (Unfinished.  This PDF includes the syllabus, the “Guided Tour to the Siddur,” and the beginning of “Jewish Literature, from Torah to Today” (covering Genesis-Job plus Lamentations (Aycha) and Esther).
• Rabbinic perspectives on intellectual property published on Jewish Values Online.
• Fixed prayer in Judaism published on Jewish Values Online.
• The permissibility of using scientific data from Nazi experimentation published on Jewish Values Online.
• For Coronavirus Shortened Minyanim, Daven Through Yishtabach At Home. Discussion of proper procedure for minyanim when people recite Pesukei d’Zimrah at home or when waiting for a minyan before Shokhen Ad/Yishtabah/Barehu.
• Abortion, Halakhah, and Civil Society
• 3/27/14 Rabbi Schachter’s Troubling Tone By Rabbis Ronald Price and Noah Gradofsky on belahf of the Union for Traditional Judaism in response to Rabbi Herschel Schachter’s responsum about allowing young women to wear tefillin in yeshiva high schools. Rabbi Schachter’s teshuvah can be found here in Hebrew and an unofficial translation is here. An article on the teshuva can be found here. If any of these links do not work, please let me know as I have pdf backups.
• Why Isn’t Ya’Aleh v’Yavo Said in Zikhronot?
• Walking and Chewing Gum: Why the Jewish Community Should Continue to Speak Out About Islamophobia
• ‘Orthodox’ Is Not A Trademark Of The OU The Jewish Week Online Edition, February 13, 2018. Argues that the Orthodox Union should include the “Open Orthodox” camp within its organization, and further that Open Orthodoxy has a legitimate claim on the term “Orthodox.”
• Why Don’t More Women Weart Tsitsit JOFA Blog article arguing discussing the history of women being exempt from the mitzvah of tsitsit and arguing that perhaps this exemption stemmed from a misinterpretation of certain Talmudic sources. Discussion that this argument.
  • Related video and source sheet: Women and Tsitsit/Tallit
• Distinguishing Jewish Values From Political Imperatives My article, appearing in the October 4, 2019 New York Jewish Week (pages 27-28) discussing the challenges of political advocacy based on Jewish values when the Jewish community is so divided politically.
• To Protect Life During a Plague, Build Yourself a Fence My article apparing online in the Jewish week on May 11, 20220 providing a halakhic perspective toward social distancing and erring on the side of caution during a pandemic.
• A Hollow Victory for Religious Liberty My article apparing in JURIST Legal News and Commentary regarding the Supreme Court decision striking down certain coronavirus-related limitations on attendance in synagogues and churces.

Printable Resources and Guides

• Prayer services for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day) This service follows the order in the Rinat Yisrael siddur. Rather than reproducing all of the prayers, only psalms and prayers not found in regular siddurim and chumashim are included in this pdf. Reference is made to page numbers in the Art Scroll siddur and Hertz Chumash as to where other texts may be found. This service can be easily integrated for synagogues using other siddurim and chumashim.
• Songs for Simchat Torah 13 simple and familiar songs with translation and transliteration, designed for printing on a single page (front and back).
• חַד גַּדְיָא (Had Gadya) With Aramaic, English, and Sounds
• Shabbat Evening at Home
• Instructions for a Shiva Visit may be handy to put up on or around the front door.
• Preparation for and order of wedding ceremony I use this document to help prepare for a wedding. It includes the basic texsts, forms for the couple to fill out to help identify how the ceremony runs, who will receive honors, helpful tips and checklists, etc. It also includes some suggestions on how to improve the gender-balance in weddings, particualrly borrowing many suggestions from Rabbi Dov Linzer in his articles Toward a More Balanced Wedding Ceremony and Double Ringe Ceremonies.
• Printable megillah texts with Hebrew and 1917 JPS translation:
  • Aicha: I haven’t created one of these for Aicha, but there is a good printable “Evening Service for the Ninth of Av,” I think originally by Hadar, available here.
  • Esther
  • Kohelet – Ecclesiastes
  • Ruth
  • Shir Hashirim
• Tractates of the Talmud with Number of Chapters and Whether There is Babylonian/Jerusalem Talmud Thereon
• Unveiling Ceremony
• Junior Congregation and Hebrew School Siddur

Source Material & Classes

Halacha

• Maimonides Seder: Mishneh Torah Laws of Chametz and Matzah Chapter 8, translated and annotated.
• Omer Observances: Appropriate Abstinence or Excessive Restraint?
• What Haftorah Should Be Recited for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Av? Note: This source sheet is not translated, though there are some English notes.  
• It Ireally is a Sin Waste in Jewish Law (Bal Taschit)
• Listening to music/live music after the destruction of the Temple and the ceasing of the Sanhedrin
• The Command of God The meaning and Application of Blessings that State Who Has Sanctified Us By Your Commandment and Commanded Us To This source sheet pays particular attention to the blessing on reciting Hallel on Rosh Chodesh.
• Halakhic Aspects of Lashon Harah
•  May additional aliyahs (hosafot) be added on Yom Tov or Yom Kippur Note: This source sheet is not translated, though there are some English notes.
• Jewish Law on Abortion and its Implications for Stem Cell Research should be read along with Dr. Daniel Eisenberg’s “Stem Cell Research and Jewish Law” found on jlaw.com.
• May a non-Kohen Receive the First Aliya?
• Women and Talit and Tefillin
• Talmud Bavli Yevamoth 45-47 and Immersion of a Convert
• Birkat Kohanim (The Priestly Blessing), Nigunim (tunes), and Reciting the Ribon Shel Olam for Disturbing Dreams
• What If the Only Kohen Available To Do Birkat Kohanim (the Priestly Blessing) is the Shaliah Tzibur (Cantor)?
• On The Ashkenazi Practice Of Limiting Birkat Kohanim (The Priestly Blessing) To Holidays
• Online Megillah and Parshat Zakhor Readings during the Corona Virus Epidemic (discussion with Rabbi Alaln J. Yuter).
• Yes, You May Wear a Mask on Shabbat, Regardless of Eruv
• VIDEO BELOW & VIA THIS LINK An Open and Shut Case? Opening and Closing the Torah scroll during the Blessings for an Aliyah. This is a compendium of sources addressing some points of conduct during the blessings before and after an aliyah. I present the following primary conclusions: (a) one should hold the Torah scroll open while reciting the blessing before the Torah is read and close the Torah scroll prior to reciting the blessing after the Torah is read; (b) while reciting the blessing prior to the reading of the Torah, one should look at the place in the Torah where the reading will begin or, if one does not know the blessing by heart, look at the text of the blessing; (c) after the aliyah, anything that is customarily done out of respect for the Torah during the interim between aliyot, for example, covering the Torah scroll, should be done immediately after the reader has concluded reading from the Torah, rather than waiting until after the closing blessing has been recited. In addition to these halakhic conclusions, I argue that: (a) where Tosafot rule that it is preferable for one to hold the Torah scroll closed during the blessing prior to the reading from the Torah, they are ruling in accordance with Rabbi Meir, rather than saying that Rabbi Yehudah agrees with Rabbi Meir on this point; and (b) Rashba and Mordechai’s argument that the Torah should be closed between aliyot is convincing, but the argument that the Talmud implies this is anachronistic. In concluding this study, I note that the rules discussed revolve around according proper honor to the Torah, and I pray that study of these sources and proper practice during an aliyah sensitizes us to the many opportunities for bringing honor to the Torah in every aspect of our lives.A video of a shiur (class) on this subject can be viewed from here (which includes a source sheet, best viewed from the pdf found on the linked page). The video is also embedded here. If you would like to comment on Facebook about this video, please do that here.

 

• On Women and Reading Megillah please comment (and view further discussions) on the UTJ Facebook Group.
• VIDEO BELOW & VIA THIS LINK Women and Tsitsit/Tallit please comment (and view further discussions) on the UTJ Facebook group.  A discussion of women and the mitzvah of Tsitsit (originally presented to Lechu Neranena, the Partnership Minyan of Bala Cynwyd (outside Philadelphia)). Conclusions: (a) It seems that at least early on in the rabbinic period, probably extending at least into the early Amoraic period, Rabbi Shimon’s opinion to the effect that women were exempt from tsitsit was considered a minority opinion. However, moving forward it apparently became a fairly universal opinion (it is unclear if this transition happened during the Amoraic period). The sources of this ruling are not clear and there is an argument to be made that the halakhah “should” have been decided otherwise. (b) The position in favor of women making a blessing on wearing tsitsit may be strengthened by the fact that there is an argument that the ruling that women are exempt from tsitsit may have been based on false pretenses. (c) There is general agreement that (big H) Halakhically, women may wear tsitsit, though the Ashkenazi voice in the Shulchan Arukh says that it is haughty for them to do so and thus recommends against it (Rabbi Karo seems to have consciously declined to mention this line of thought in the Shulchan Arukh). There is significant debate as to whether a woman may say a blessing upon putting on tsitsit. (d) Women who chose to put on a tallit receive reward for doing so. (e) To the extent that a woman’s motivations for wearing a tallit are criticized as being improper (an argument that is in no way adopted), this criticism seems contrary to Rav’s aphorism that a person should always do mitzvot even if the person is doing so for personal reasons. (f) For purposes of Lechu Neranena, I consulted with our halakhic advisor, Rabbi Martin Lockshin. He wrote (in part), “I have no problem with women wearing tsitsit if they wish. I know that it bothers some people. I see that simply as a sociological problem that can be overcome, I hope, with sensitivity and a gentle approach.” He feels that a woman may say a blessing on wearing a tallit. Regarding whether a woman should wear a tallit that is more clearly feminine, he wrote that it might be best, but he doesn’t see it as a deal-breaker.; (f) In footnote 12 I introduce some preliminary thoughts on why the halakhah was decided in favor of Rabbi Shimon’s minority view which requires further study.
  A video of a shiur (class) on this subject can be viewed from the link above (which includes a source sheet, best viewed from the pdf found on the linked page). The video is also embedded here.
  • Related article: Why Don’t More Women Weart Tsitsit JOFA Blog

 

• VIDEO BELOW & VIA THIS LINK Nihum Avelim (Consolation of Mourners) on Shabbat. This is a shiur (class) I put together in commemoration of the sheloshim (30th day from the funeral) of my father, Melvin Gradofsky. Topics discussed include whether it is permissible to do nihum avelim on Shabbat, whether public displays of consolation are permitted on Shabbat, and whether the standard wishes offered to mourners may be used on Shabbat. Portions of the text that I read during the shiur appear on screen in this video. This video as well as a full source sheet is available from the UTJ Viewpoints page here. A link to the video from Melvin Gradofsky’s funeral can also be found from this link. If you would like to discuss this video, please comment via the UTJ Facebook page here.
  
• Does It Matter If Your Dog Eats Toothpaste?  A discussion on the standards by which something that contains hametz becomes permitted for use (other than eating) on Passover.
• VIDEO BELOW AND VIA THIS LINK The Halakhic Process in a Pandemic. Rabbi Noah Gradofsky (me) and Dr. Mira Morgenstern in Conversation. How does halakhic analysis determine what is expected of us during these unique and challenging times?  How has the pandemic affected our halakhic observance?
  

 

Biblical Studies

• Blind Faith or Rational Practice Do Mitzvot Have Reasons and Should We Investigate Them (Ta’amei Hamitzvot)
• Reversal of Fortune: How the Course of History Was Changed by the Garden of Eden – A Study of the Text and the Chiastic Structure of Genesis 2:4-4:1
• The Haftarah for Yom Kippur Morning Provides a selection of comments on the haftarah for Yom Kippur as well as some visual aids to see how the text uses certain key words.
• VIDEO BELOW & VIA THIS LINK Sh’lach – The Sins of The Fathers Parashah (weekly Torah reading) class on Sh’lach exploring the meaning of the statement that God “visits the iniquities of ancestors on children.” The source sheet is best viewed/printed from here.
  

 

• What Does the Word Pesach (פסח) Mean?

Philosophy

• Desire Temptation Toward Evil or Inspiration For Good
• A survival guide to the Jewish New Year (outline of Chovot Halevavot on repentance)
• Blind Faith or Rational Practice Do Mitzvot Have Reasons and Should We Investigate Them (Ta’amei Hamitzvot)
• Images of God in Judaism (pre-slichot discussion 2016, link also includes Yom Kippur sermons for 2016)

Rabbinic Literature

• The Seder in Rabbinic Literature
• Selected Rabbinic Midrash on the Book of Ruth
• At the Foot of Sinai: Midrashim on the Giving of the Torah
• Seven Traits of Wisdom from Pirkei Avot 5:7 and Avod d’Rabi Nattan, Text A, 1:37
• With All Due Respect: Selected Midrashim and Ethics of the Fathers on Proper Respect for Superiors, Colleagues, and Subordinates
• Introduction to Judaism lecture at the Long Beach Public Library, May 21, 2009. 

Synagogue Skills

• Learn Haftorah Trope

 

Newspaper Clippings

Letters to the Editor:

• 2/23/07 Letter to the Editor of The Jewish Week re: Changing the Rules – Why Halacha Should Not Change to Match Common Practice
• 7/13/07 Letter to the Editor of The Jewish Week re: The Individual Rabbi Versus the Cult of Gedolim (deferring to the “rabbinic heavyweight”)
• 8/31/07 Letter to the Editor of The Jewish Star re: Understanding the Differences Between Science and Religion
• 10/12/07 Letter to the Editor of The Jewish Star re: Matching Strict Ritual Halachic Standards with Strict Ethical Standards (avoiding sales tax on a Sukkah)
• 12/26/08 Letter to the Editor of The Jewish Star re: Ethical Standards and Kashruth Supervision
• 2/5/09 Letter to the Editor of the Long Beach Herald, “We Have Not Overcome – Yet re: President Obama’s election and the continuing struggle for civil rights
• 9/11/09 Letter to the Editor of The Jewish Star re: Shiluach Haken (sending away the mother bird before taking the eggs/young) (original article 8/28/09)
• 8/22/14 Letter to the Editor of the Jewish Press regarding competition within marriages.
  • Original Dr. Yael Column to which I am responding
  • Earlier letter to the editor to which I am also responding
  • Response from Dr. Yael

Articles including Rabbi Gradofsky:

• 10/1/04 The Jewish Star article: Temple Israel Installs Rabbi Gradofsky
• 4/12/06 Record (Bergen County edition) article: Divine Advice for Passover Chefs.
• 12/2/06 Newsday article: Faith Q&A: Are Religious Student Groups wrong for Public Schools?
• 6/9/07 Newsday article: Faith Q&A: Should Faith Groups Be Involved In Immigration Issues?
• 10/27/07 Newsday article: Faith Q&A: Do You Believe People Can See The Future?
• 12/6/07 Long Beach Herald picture: Rabbi and kids shoot dreidel @ the Chanukah party
• 10/28/08 Newsday article: Faith, Hope and Charity (re: religious responses to the economic downturn)
• 1/15/09: Long Beach Herald article: Religious Leaders React to Israel-Hamas War: Scan of newspaper article (includes picture) pdf from website (cleaner text)

 

Resume

Download my rabbinic resume (pdf)

Professional Experience

HIGH HOLIDAY RABBI, ADAS KODESCH SHEL EMETH, Wilmington, DE 2022

HIGH HOLIDAY RABBI, TEMPLE BETH EL OF ROCKAWAY PARK, Rockaway Park, NY 2016-2019

ASSOCIATE RABBI AND HIGH HOLIDAY CANTOR, CONGREGATION SHORE PARKWAY JEWISH CENTER, Brooklyn, NY March 2011-September 2014

• Conducted Shabbat and Yom Tov services on a per-diem basis including all rabbinic, cantorial, teaching, and Torah reading functions.
• Served as High Holiday Cantor.

RABBI, TEMPLE ISRAEL, Long Beach, NY August 2004-July 2010

• Rabbi of suburban synagogue with approximately 200 families.
• Conducted daily and Sabbath and holiday services mornings and evenings.
• Provided pastoral care and counseling.
• Served as shaliach tzibur (cantor) as needed.
• Taught regular classes to adults and teens.
• Advised Hebrew School program with 30-50 students.
• Prepared Bar and Bat Mitzvah students in consultation with tutor.
• Created and chaired “Outreach Committee.”
• Created and taught Hebrew High School program.
• Authored Junior Congregation prayer book tailored to synagogue’s needs.
• Managed synagogue website.
• Created weekly announcement bulletin for distribution in synagogue services, on website, and by phone.

Education

INSTITUTE OF TRADITIONAL JUDAISM, Teaneck, NJ 1998-2004
Semikha (Rabbinic ordination) conferred May 2004.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW-NEWARK, Newark, NJ 1998-2002
J.D., with honors May 2002 Evening student
Honors: Awarded three prizes for academic achievement.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY 1994-1998
B.A., cum laude, Economics-Political Science, May 1998
Joint program with the Jewish Theological Seminary

JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, New York, NY 1994-1998
B.A., with honors and distinction, Talmud, May 1998
Honors: Awarded four prizes for academic achievement.
Joint program with Columbia University

Other Information

ORGANIZATIONAL WORK

UNION FOR TRADITIONAL JUDAISM

Board of Directors, 2004-present. Chairperson of Conference Committee, 2004-present. Chairperson of Planning Committee, 2010-2011. Chairperson of Dinner Committee 2012-2013. Recording Secretary, 2007-2011. Vice President 2011-present.