Rabbi Jack Dermer 

Originally from Southwest Florida, Rabbi Dermer brought his love of learning to Brandeis University, where he earned a BA in Philosophy and Religious Studies. Upon graduating from Brandeis, Rabbi Dermer followed his religious calling to the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, where he decided to devote his life to Torah, spiritual growth, and serving the Jewish community. While in rabbinical school at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Dermer built upon his interest in philosophy, earning an MA in Jewish Thought with a focus on Chassidic and Kabbalistic mysticism, and twice receiving the Seminary’s Rubenovitz Prize in Theology. As a rabbinical student, Rabbi Dermer worked as a chaplain for Holocaust survivors, created a program to host Shabbat meals for isolated senior citizens, and enjoyed spending numerous summers as a teacher and special-needs inclusion counselor with Camp Ramah.

Rabbi Dermer is a lifelong guitar player and brings his love of music to his rabbinate. Rabbi Dermer is the immediate past President of the Long Island Board of Rabbis, a role in which he worked to foster connections and relationships between the many Rabbis and congregations of Long Island. 

Rabbi Dermer is excited to return to his home state of Florida to share his warmth, music, and passion for Torah with Temple Beth Sholom and the larger Sarasota community.

You can reach Rabbi Dermer at 

jdermer@templebethsholomfl.org or 941-225-8630

Cantor Neal Taibel

Cantor Neal Taibel received his Master’s in Sacred Music degree and ordination from the H.L. Miller Cantorial School at Jewish Theological Seminary in May. He is also a graduate of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. A classically trained tenor, he was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Neal has been blessed to have been mentored by Cantor David Propis and Cantor Meir Finkelstein, at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, where he has been leading full Shabbat services, in the Cantors’ absence, since he was 15 years old.

In his senior year, at the University of Miami, Neal was honored to be asked to lead full High Holiday services at the Miami Hillel. During his time in Miami, he performed in several fully staged operas and opera scene programs.

Neal has led High Holiday services at Congregation Ahavas Chesed in Alabama, helped lead a High Holiday family service program at Congregation Shaarey Tzedek in Detroit and has returned to the Miami Hillel to lead full High Holiday services. He has served as Cantorial Intern at Brotherhood Synagogue in New York City for the past two years.

Neal completed a semester living and studying in Jerusalem, where he was privileged to be immersed in Israeli culture for an extended period of time.

Neal’s great passions are singing on the bimah, performing opera, and following his hometown sports teams, especially the Rockets and Astros. He is humbled and honored to have the opportunity to make a difference in the Jewish community, by helping others experience the inspirational gifts of Jewish music and prayer. 

You can reach Cantor Taibel at cantor@tbssrq.org