(631) 421-3224, ext. 13
rabbi@melvillejc.org
Rabbi Orrin Krublit joined the Melville Jewish Center on August 1, 2021 as our spiritual leader. He was born in Florida, attended the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina, the University of Florida, and the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he received Ordination in 2017. He came to New York from Orlando, where he served as the Rabbi at the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation.
Rabbi Krublit met his wife Meira Cohen, a Long Island native, while attending the Seminary. They fell in love over a shared passion for Judaism, Indian Food, and Comedy, and were married in St. Louis, where Rabbi Krublit was the Assistant Rabbi at Congregation B’nai Amoona. They have a toddler son, Asher, and all are thrilled to be part of such a loving and heimish community here at the Melville Jewish Center. Rabbi Krublit believes that “the synagogue should be a place where you can find friendship, community, and inspiration. “Building and strengthening relationships and connections between one another transforms our synagogues into holy communities,” says Rabbi Krublit. “Our kehillot, congregations, are places where we can join together to celebrate the joys in our lives, and to find comfort and help whenever we need it.”
Contact Rabbi Krublit – (631) 421-3224 x 13, mail to rabbi@melvillejc.org, or on his cell phone, 407-453-4601.
Click here for article in Newsday featuring Rabbi Krublit.
After 28 years of devoted service as Rabbi of South Huntington Jewish Center, Rabbi Ian S. Jacknis has retired and is now our esteemed Rabbi Emeritus.
Rabbi Jacknis brought his love of Judaism and unique blend of warmth and spirituality to South Huntington Jewish Center in the summer of 1993, and quickly became known, both inside the synagogue and throughout the surrounding communities, as being welcoming, responsive, insightful and compassionate. During his tenure he fostered a renewed feeling of unity and enthusiasm in the congregation. Shabbat services, especially, were infused with his special spirit. He brought a variety of new initiatives to SHJC.
We wish Rabbi Jacknis and his beloved wife, Suri, a retirement filled with good times, good health and love of family and friends.
Our synagogue is honoring the legacy of the Jacknis family with the naming of our library and youth lounge The Rabbi Ian S. And Suri Jacknis Library and Youth Lounge. For more information, click here.
Rachel is a third year cantorial student at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Prior to cantorial school, she served synagogues in the Kansas City region as a cantorial soloist, composer, and religious school director. She has traveled the world, singing at commemorations and special events, most notably at the House of Representatives, the Knesset, the National Press Club, and Temple Israel of the City of New York. As a young child, Rachel’s family lived in Jerusalem, and later moved to Rockville, Maryland, where she studied for her bat mitzvah under Cantor Mike Stein at Congregation B’nai Tzedek and began formal voice lessons with Cantor Susan Berkson.
Rachel earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from Berklee College of Music, focusing on her vocal training and songwriting. Rachel has composed original music for Yom HaShoah, baby naming ceremonies, Yizkor, and Selichot themes. Her critically-acclaimed song “Edyka” has been featured in publications around the world such as the Kansas City Star, the Miami Herald, U.S. News and World Report, the Jerusalem Post, and the Times of Israel. She says, “My Jewish life, family history, and deep connection to prayer through song carry me through my daily life, defining me, and shaping my role in my family.”
In the fall of 2020, Rachel took a big step in her cantorial journey by beginning her studies at JTS remotely. Now entering her third year, Rachel’s love of nusach, tefillah, and the Jewish community have only deepened. Under the tutelage of Cantor Jack Mendelson, Rachel enjoys exploring coloratura vocal styles and deepening her studies of nusach. Rachel currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas with her husband, Eric, and three-year old daughter, Cora. Rachel is thrilled to join the Melville JC community in her new role as Part-Time Student Cantor. The whole family is excited to relocate to New York and begin the next chapter.
Please join us to give Cantor Rachel, Eric and Cora a warm Melville JC welcome!
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