About Us
Temple Shaaray Tefila is a Reform Jewish congregation with a traditional spirit. We celebrate, teach, and observe the most worthy values and ideals of our Jewish tradition: Torah, mitzvah, and tzedakah. In doing so, we connect our members and their families to each other, to the greater Jewish community, and to Israel. Anyone who seeks a warm and vibrant Jewish community will feel comfortable in our congregation.
Top 5 Facts and Figures
- Founded in 1976, we are the largest synagogue in Northern Westchester, drawing members from Armonk, Bedford, Bedford Hills, Chappaqua, Goldens Bridge, Katonah,
- Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Somers, South Salem, and other Northern Westchester areas.
- We are located on a beautiful 10 acre campus with three buildings, an awesome playground, a community garden, and a gaga pit.
- Our multi-generational community is diverse, encompassing members from a wide variety of backgrounds. We warmly welcome everyone who wants to be part of us.
- We offer a large number of excellent educational, spiritual, and social programs for people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds.
- We have a dedicated team of volunteer leaders, clergy, and staff to address our congregants’ needs.
Our Clergy
Rabbi David E. Greenberg, Senior Rabbi
Rabbi David E. Greenberg grew up in San Francisco, California. He received a BA from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1972, and a Master of Hebrew Letters degree from Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles in 1976. After completing rabbinic school in New York, Rabbi Greenberg became the “weekend student Rabbi” at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford, New York. Rabbi Greenberg received his rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College in 1978.
Temple Shaaray Tefila continues to grow and flourish under the outstanding leadership of Rabbi David Greenberg . For so many, he is a source of inspiration and an example of dedication to our most worthy Jewish values and teachings. Rabbi Greenberg lives in Mt. Kisco with his wife, Cindy, and they are blessed with three children, Alisa, Amanda, and Jared and grandchildren Mason, Harper & Jagger.Jewish Music to Soothe the Soul
CD available now. Please click here for details. To read an article about the CD, please click here.
Rabbi Jason Nevarez, Rabbi
Originally from New York City, Rabbi Nevarez graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, and went to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he received his BA. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, where he earned Master’s degrees in both Hebrew Literature and Religious Education, and was the recipient of a number of scholarships, in addition to several academic prizes in Jewish education. Rabbi Nevarez held residencies and internships at Larchmont Temple, Larchmont, NY, Temple Beth Emeth, Ann Arbor, MI, and here at Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford NY, where he currently serves as Rabbi. Prior to entering Rabbinical School, he served as a Youth Director at synagogues in Connecticut and Michigan, and also as a Regional Director for NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth).
At Temple Shaaray Tefila, Rabbi Nevarez has had the opportunity to do outreach, educational, and social justice work both in Israel and Latin America. He has also been able to marry his global learning experiences with his passion for youth work and education. He continues to help foster a congregation of learners, and enjoys working closely with families in individual/family pastoral counseling. Rabbi Nevarez is an alum of the STAR (Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal) Executive Leadership Program, UJA-NY’s Inaugural Rabbinic Fellowship for Visionary Leaders, and immediate Past-Chair of the Northern Westchester Interfaith Council. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Westchester Board of Rabbis and on the Board of Bedford 2020, a local organization focused on reducing carbon emissions and preserving natural resources. He maintains ongoing community involvement, and sees the sacred work of the synagogue as ever-striving to reach beyond its walls. Rabbi Nevarez lives in Goldens Bridge with his wife, Nicole, his partner and lifelong friend, and their two children, Ethan and Sophie.Rabbi David Wilfond
Incoming Senior Rabbi
Rabbi David Wilfond, Incoming Senior Rabbi
Rabbi David Wilfond joins Temple Shaaray Tefila as our Senior Rabbi on July 1, 2020. He comes to us with a wealth of Jewish experiences and achievements, spanning four continents and including congregational leadership, teaching, and pastoral care positions.
Rabbi Wilfond’s Jewish education and leadership began at an early age. As a teen growing up in Edison, NJ, he taught Hebrew School, led the Junior Congregation, and served as the Temple youth group president. While a student at Rutgers University, he taught simultaneously at two Hebrew schools and was a founding member of the Rutgers Progressive Zionist Caucus. After earning a B.S. with Honors, Rabbi Wilfond received a full scholarship for an M.S. at the University of Florida in Gainesville. There, he received the Hillel award for Outstanding Jewish Leader in the State of Florida. Living in Israel has always been a priority. During high school, Rabbi Wilfond spent six months on a NFTY high school exchange program in Israel, which inspired him to spend three summers on staff at URJ Eisner Camp. Later, he spent a year on a work-study program milking cows on Kibbutz Tzora and, before attending Hebrew Union College to study for the Rabbinate, he worked for a year in the date fields of Lotan, the Reform Kibbutz. While in Rabbinical School, he also spent a year at Pardes, an egalitarian yeshiva in Jerusalem, and another year at Hebrew University as a visiting graduate student in Jewish studies. After receiving Rabbinic Ordination and second MA from HUC, Rabbi Wilfond served for two years as the first reform Rabbi in Kiev, Ukraine. He returned to the US to serve as a congregational Rabbi in Boston for five years. In 2004, he made Aliyah and worked for six years at Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem as the Director of Admissions and Rabbi of the Murstein Synagogue. Rabbi Wilfond is married to Deborah, a lawyer, yoga instructor, and writer of a weekly blog called "Mindful Torah." In 2010, they moved to her native England, where he served as the associate rabbi at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London, England. After their son Isaac was born there, the Wilfonds returned to Jerusalem where David worked for seven years as the Director of Education for NFTY in Israel. In addition to Isaac, they have two other children, Eliora and Rafi, who were born in Jerusalem. The Wilfonds also have a Hebrew speaking cat named Ruby. Rabbi Wilfond loves bike riding, ice cream, singing with others, and sharing a good conversation. He looks forward to being a part of the Temple Shaaray Tefila Community.
Meet our professional staff
Alli has been a steady and strong presence on our staff for the past 11 years, having worked in nearly every area of temple life. As our recent Director of Next Generation Engagement, she spearheaded successful congregation wide events such as 'Night of Light' and the 'The Women's Wander', creating meaningful opportunities for all generations to connect with Jewish teachings and traditions. She has also touched the lives of our B'nai Mitzvah cohorts for the past 8 years as our Associate B’nai Mitzvah Director, enriching the lives of our learners and guiding families on their journey to this special milestone . Alli has also served on our Religious School faculty and as our Senior Youth Advisor, teaching and engaging students of all ages. Many of you have come to know Alli through music and liturgy, as one of our Cantorial Soloists, where she regularly engages with our entire congregation, singing at Shabbat and B'nai Mitzvah services as well as at Caramoor during our High Holidays. She also served as the Director of Programming for the Westchester Youth Alliance for 7 years and led our Interfaith Family Initiative called "Connect" for 3 years. Alli is looking forward to working with our rabbis, staff and lay leaders to build community among all of our temple members and strengthen our membership and outreach efforts.
Prior to joining the Shaaray Tefila team, Alli enjoyed a career as a professional actor, appearing in plays and musicals in NYC and at some of the top regional theaters across the country. She has also worked extensively as an acting, vocal and public speaking coach and for several years, she ran the Pre-College Acting Intensive & Shakespeare workshops at SUNY Purchase. Alli lives in Ridgefield, CT with her husband, Jason, and their two children, Jack and Olivia. She is a graduate of The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Patty Goldstick has a Master's Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from the Bank Street College of Education. Before coming to ST, she was Director of the Temple Israel Center Nursery School in White Plains. She also ran Kulanu, a supplemental Hebrew High School in Stamford, CT and has worked as a Special Educator in dozens of Nursery schools throughout Westchester and the Bronx, helping children with special needs reach their goals. She is a founding member and former Executive Director of Congregation Tehillah in Riverdale, NY. She was also instrumental in the revitalization of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan where she served as the Director of Family & Youth Activities and then as Director of Programming & Volunteers. Patty has three children, Caleb, Isabela, and Max, and a sweet labradoodle named Ziggy.
Liz grew up in Old Westbury, NY on Long Island. She graduated from Hofstra University with went on to get her Master’s Degree in Westchester, NY. For the past 23 years Liz has worked with temples and Jewish Organizations in Northern Westchester in the role of classroom educator, Curriculum Coordinator, Programming Coordinator and Director of Education. For the past 6 years, at Temple Shaaray Tefila, Liz has taught in the classroom, coordinated social action speakers and events, written curriculum, managed 42 madrichim (teen guides), designed Hebrew, and special family education programs for our primary and post B'nai Mitzvah classes.
As the Director of Education it is of paramount importance, Liz believes, to provide excellence in curriculum planning and implementation along with creating a warm, nurturing environment for all our students and their families. Liz strives to provide meaningful, positive and poignant Jewish memories for our young people. As a corollary to this, her hope is that each of our youngsters develop a strong connection to the temple and an armored, everlasting and infrangible Jewish Identity.
After studying History and Judaic studies at Dickinson College, Jessica headed to Philadelphia where she spent two years with Repair the World. In Philadelphia Jessica built community, facilitated social educational events, brought Jewish values to life through meaningful service projects, and found her passion for bringing Judaism into the
now. She spent the past year in Washington, DC as a resident of Moishe House hosting seven events a month to cultivate community among Jewish
young professionals. Jessica studied at George Washington University where she received her Master's of Experiential Education and Jewish Cultural Arts. In DC Jessica implemented experiential education methodology into Temple Micah's educational programs. In her free time you can find Jessica farming in a community garden, struggling to train for her upcoming half marathon, or cheering on the Yankees.
Mona is originally from Brooklyn and attended Brooklyn College where she received her BS in Biology and minored in Art. While attending college, she worked in retail and eventually found her way to accounting and earned her MBA from Pace University. By chance, she landed a job in NY Botanical Gardens and ever since, has remained in the non-profit sector. Mona lives in Brewster with her husband of 24 years, 19 year old son and her adorable miniature dachshund.
Lay Leadership
OFFICERS
- Karen Spiegel, President
- Stuart Zaro, First Vice President
- Karyn Gallant-Zitomer, Second Vice President
- Sharon Feldman, Third Vice President
- Michael Rothschild, Vice President/Treasurer
- Jessica Tabankin, Secretary
- Andrew Samalin, Financial Secretary
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- Steven Adler
- Richard Chassin
- Alan Federbush
- Sharon Feldman
- Karyn Gallant-Zitomer
- Carey Hollander
- Dena Kopleff
- Andrew Richman
- Ken Roban
- Lisa Roberts
- Michael Rothschild
- Andrew Samalin
- Lisa Schwartz
- Karen Spiegel
- Jessica Tabankin
- Mark Tabs
- Woody Umanoff
- Lauren Weisfelner
- Stuart Zaro
- Harriett Zeller
Karen Spiegel
President
Karen Spiegel has been a member of Temple Shaaray Tefila for over 12 years. In that time, she has been an active volunteer serving on various committees including co-chairing the Religious School, Membership, and the Gala committees. She is a graduate of Lech L’cha and the Adult B’nai Mitzvah class of 2015. Together, Karen and her husband, Paul, have four children and four grandchildren and they have lived in Armonk for more than 20 years.
Jessica Tabankin
Secretary
My name is Jessica Tabankin. My husband Scott and I live in Armonk. We have three children ages 11,15 and 16. We have been members of TST for approximately 10 years. I am currently the Secretary for the Board. I was the previous Treasurer and a previous co- chair of the Religious School Committee. I have a degree in Finance and have been working at Weill Cornell Medicine for the past two years in the field of licensing. Prior to that, I was at the NYU Langone School of Medicine for 18 years. I grew up in Spring Valley in Rockland County and went to Ramapo High School. I was a congregant of Temple Beth El, a Reform congregation. I obtained my undergraduate degree from SUNY Albany. I have been a board member for the past 6 years. I am very honored to serve the congregation.
Sharon Feldman
Third Vice President
Bio coming soon
Stuart Zaro
First Vice President
The Zaro family have been members of Shaaray Tefila for close to 35 years. Rabbi Greenberg has officiated at the Bar Mitzvah of all five sons and has married 2 of them.
Stuart is the former chairman of The Israeli Task Force at Shaaray Tefila and is currently an officer on the board of the temple. He is on the board of AJC Westchester/Fairfield and LiveOnNY Foundation the organ procurement organization in New York. He also works with and has travelled with IsraAID, an Israeli NGO that goes to natural disaster sites all over the world to help rebuild the lives of those who have been profoundly affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, and other devastating events.
Stuart’s family owns and operates Zaro’s Family Bakeries in Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, and other locations. He has worked in the family business for over 40 years.
Karyn Gallant-Zitomer
Second Vice President
Karyn Gallant has been an active member of TST for the past 15 years. She had the honor of being selected to participate in the Lech L’echa program for emerging temple leaders and has led multiple initiatives including membership, college outreach and professional development for both the board and temple staff. She has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2007 and will be serving for the second time as an officer on the Executive Committee. Professionally, Karyn is an executive coach, working with a wide array of organizations and their management, from high-potential leaders and emerging entrepreneurs to CEOs and executives throughout the C- suite. She has particular expertise working with businesses and non-profits that have an exceptional brand or legacy and understands that while creating opportunities for change, we must also take great care to preserve what already works well. Karyn, her husband Jack Zitomer and their three children live in Goldens Bridge.
Michael Rothschild
Vice President/Treasurer
Michael Rothschild has been an active member of TST for the past 10 years.
Michael is the Vice President of AJ Clarke, a New York City’s premier residential management firm .He is a licensed real estate broker in New York, and in 2013 was awarded the prestigious Residential Management Executive of the year by REBNY. Michael also serves on the Board of Directors of CHIP and Real Estate Board’s Residential Management Council. Michael supervises major capital improvement projects and oversees and negotiates utilities and fuel contracts. His strong financial background is a vital asset to our clients particularly in preparation of annual budgets and capital planning and development.
Michael has been a YPIE Graduation Coach in the YPIE Scholars Program. He has mentored successfully two YPIE students for the past four years.
Michael is a long time resident of Armonk where he resides with his wife Cecile, daughter Lea and son Max.
Past Presidents
- Ron Braun
- Ron Gassman
- Allan Schefler
- Frank Neubauer
- Cary Baer
- Neil D. Klar
- Douglas Benach
- Susan Glickman
- Carl Grossman
- William Greene
- Stephanie Garry
- Jeff Cohen
- Jeff Simon
- Suzanne Fromm
- Jeff Kohn
- Hugh Lewis
- Vicki Gelbtuch
- Joel Adelberg
- Jeff Tanenbaum
- Lisa Roberts
- Sheldon Goldfarb
- Jodi Kimmel