Shalom and Baruch Haba! I am thrilled to begin my tenure as rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom. My goal is to make this marvelous congregation a center of Jewish learning, activity, commitment, and devotion to the highest standards of our Jewish tradition. I am a native of Los Angeles, California, having spent the past decade and more in London, UK, as the spiritual leader of Belsize Square Synagogue.
It is certainly good to be home in our beloved America. I was ordained as a rabbi by the Jewish Theological Seminary (New York City) in 1980 and have been a member of the Rabbinical Assembly since then. I love what I do and hope to bring a fair share of compassion and enthusiasm into this already vibrant congregation. My passions are Jewish life, Judaism, Israel, and trying to make a difference in this troubled world, in addition to my love of music, sports, traveling, and reading.
If you are interested, I am the author of the book, From Exodus to Freedom: a History of the Soviet Jewry Movement in America, and I look forward to doing what I love the most –teaching. Working on behalf of the freedom of Soviet Jews and on behalf of Israel was a significant part of my rabbinic past.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you all to our beautiful synagogue. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions and would like to talk at rabbi@tbssrq.org.
Cantor Matt Austerklein is honored to serve Temple Beth Sholom as its cantor, having previously served with distinction at pulpits in Bethesda, Maryland and Akron, Ohio. He is active in ritual, musical, and educational programming in the synagogue, and enjoys singing duets and choral music with congregants to uplift our prayers.
Cantor Austerklein is also a PhD Candidate (ABD) in Jewish Studies at Halle-Wittenberg University, where he is completing his doctoral dissertation on the history of the cantorate. He is the editor of three books and the author of numerous articles on Jewish music, and serves on the cantorial faculties of the European Academy of Jewish Liturgy, École Rabbinique de Paris, and the North American Jewish Choral Festival. In 2022, Cantor Austerklein received the Cantors Assembly's Samuel Rosenbaum Award for Scholarship & Creativity, one of the organization's highest honors. You can reach Cantor Matt at cantor@tbssrq.org
Nancy Hendricks, Business Director - nancy@tbssrq.org
Kelly Nester, Rabbinical Assistant - kelly@tbssrq.org
Troy Jones, Marketing & Media Manager - troy@tbssrq.org
Susan Debronsky, Office Assistant - susan@tbssrq.org
Duane Rushing, Facilities Manager - duane@tbssrq.org
Kathy Burt, Catering Manager - kathy@tbssrq.org
*Please note: by your presence at any of our events and programs, you consent to the use of your image by Temple Beth Sholom of Sarasota for educational and promotional purposes*
