Our Clergy
Rabbi Jonathan Waxman
Biography
Jonathan Waxman has been appointed as the rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom, filling a position that had been empty for months.
Rabbi Waxman has 33 years of total experience as a Rabbi, 25 years in New Jersey and eight on Long Island.
Rabbi Waxman was the rabbi at conservative congregation Beth-El in Massapequa for eight years and comes from a long line of rabbis. His father was the late Rabbi Mordecai Waxman, who served at Temple Israel in Great Neck for more than 50 years and is considered "one of the most respected scholars and renown leaders the Conservative Jewish movement has ever produced".
At B'nai Sholom in New Jersey, he initiated many new programs like interactive Talmud and Bible study and discussed Jewish history in-depth at his monthly "Bagels with the Rabbi." He is also known for his culinary skills, hosting a regular program called "Gourmet Shabbat with Chef Waxman."
He began as a political science major at Brandeis University, but ultimately went to the Jewish Theological Seminary to pursue a doctorate in Jewish history, hoping to stay in academia. After his ordination in 1977, he was hired as the spiritual leader of Congregation B'nai Sholom in New Jersey and decided to stay working as a rabbi rather than returning to his studies.
Rabbi Waxman has been published internationally and many of his sermons have been selected for Torah Fax, a rabbinic community publication. He also helped open the Shore Hebrew High School and is a regular presenter at inter-congregational lectures.
Rabbi Emeritus Eliott T. Spar
RabbiSpar@tbsofs.org
Cantor Judy Merrick
Cantor Judy's Trip
- Concerts celebrating our Jewish Musical Tradition
- A unique Shabbat Experience in Berlin
- The honoring of women cantors & rabbis
in the place of the first female rabbinic ordination
(1935) - Unprecedented interfaith gathering & concert
Ceremony at Olympic Park Munich, featuring
Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Spitz and other
special guests - Fourth of July Concert celebration in Munich
- Discover history and interface with the blossoming
Jewish communities throughout Germany - Jewish and general sightseeing tours of Berlin,
Potsdam and Munich - Lectures throughout by world renowned lecturer
Prof. Stephen Berk - 4 nights Berlin: June 28–July 2, 2012
- 3 nights Munich: July 2–5, 2012
www.tbsofs.org/files/CA2012brochureGENERAL.pdf
Biography
Cantor Judy Merrick was born in Haifa, Israel and has been playing the guitar and performing since the age of 13. After serving in the Israeli Army, she went on to study at Tel Aviv University where she earned a degree in Theatre Arts. Cantor Merrick is also a certified Israeli Dance Instructor and she also holds an certificate from the NY School of Interior Design.
Cantor Merrick was certified by the Cantors Assembly as a Hazzan in March 2010.
While living in Israel, she directed, choreographed and wrote original plays and musicals for the Departments of Culture of Tel Aviv and Holon. She taught acting and dance as well.
After moving to Huntington Bay 11 years ago, she performed throughout the New York metropolitan area, leading Shabbat and holiday services and Israeli celebrations. Cantor Merrick has been the musical director for Temple Sinai of Roslyn for four years. She has also been teaching music in many different synagogues and temples, chanted Torah at South Huntington Jewish Center, and gave workshops for Jewish educators.
Cantor Merrick has been attending national Jewish music conferences for the last ten years where she has had the opportunity to meet the most influential composers and Jewish musicians in the USA and Canada. She is committed to bring the most updated and beautiful music to the Jewish community.
Cantor Merrick released her first album, "Journey" in 2006 and is currently working on her second album with the well known drummer and percusionist "Akiva the Believer" and concert recordings with other well known Cantors from the Long Island area.
In the spring of 2008 Cantor Merrick produced her first Cantorial concert at Temple Beth Sholom of Smithtown.
This year Cantor Merrick created and produced the well published Cantorial concert, "Remember Us Unto Life", the celebration of the long lost music of Hazzan Shmuel Blasz, that perished in Auschwitz. This concert was covered by several newspapers and was attended by 250 people. Cantor Merrick was joined by 5 other Cantors and has been involved in producing and editing the CD and DVD that follows the concert.
She has been the Cantor of Temple Beth Shalom of Smithtown, NY since 2006. Cantor Judy Merrick is a member of the "Cantors Assembly" and "The Guild of Temple Musicians".
_____________________________________________________________________
by Cantor Judith Merrick
Dear TBS Congregants, Families and Friends,
It’s hard to believe, but this year is almost over and a New Year for the world is arriving shortly… As I reflect on this year, I think about what we wish for our loved ones, our families, our friends and ourselves: health, happiness and PEACE.
We here on Long Island can say that, for the most part (thank G-d), we have a good life. Everybody is busy, sometimes we get sick or we have some other things going on, but for the most part, life is good, we can’t complain. However when I watch the news, there is always something going on in other parts of the world that really puts me back into reality
When September 11 happened on our own soil in 2001, I clearly remember sitting really frightened in front of the T.V. watching the terrible events unfold before my eyes. I couldn’t believe it was happening here in N.Y., where I always felt secure. After all, New York is the city of the world! It belongs to everyone, no matter where you come from and what religion you are. That’s why I came here, to be part of this big nation where all people are welcomed and equal. When the terrible events happened at the World Trade Center, I, the girl from ISRAEL, who grew up witnessing wars as a child and a teenager, who came to live in the biggest city and believed everyone loved and connected, I was scared. Even big AMERICA wasn’t secure anymore. I remember saying to myself, “Thank G-D Ron, is only 4 years old. Thank G-D he doesn’t understand yet.” I didn’t want him to grow into a world of violence and fear. I want my son to grow into a beautiful, peaceful world where people can travel and move safely from one place to another. Has my wish as a mother come true? Unfortunately, nothing has changed yet and it is very sad. The events last year in MUMBAI proved it again.
With the new year approaching, I would like to wish us all a year of PEACE in the world. Every person in this world deserves it! AMEN!
Love to all of you, Cantor Judy and family
