Temple Hillel Directory
Steven M. Graber, Rabbi
Eliezer Kepecs, Cantor
Steven Blitz, Ritual Director
Irene Nelson
President............................................................................
Allan Greene
Executive Vice President, & Fundraising..................
Janice Brown
Vice President, Programming........................................
Michael Feit
Vice President, Membership; Education....................
Kenneth Fink
Vice President, House & Grounds...............................
Robin Laurentz
Vice President, Bikkur Cholim; Bazaar....................... Sherman Rothblum Treasurer............................................................................
Stuart Kotler
Financial Secretary..........................................................
Sam Richman
Recording Secretary .......................................................
Gaylann Klonsky
Arms and Key Committees
Sisterhood: Co-Presidents..............................................
Linda Jacknow & Gail Katz
Men’s Club: President...................................................... Howard Rebenstock Parent's Association: President.................................... Tracey Drayer Ritual Committee: Co-Chairs.......................................... Harold Feldman
Mike OshinskyCaterer.................................................................................. Jem of the Five Towns
516-791-9313
Rabbi Graber became part of the Temple Hillel community in August 2003. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Judaic Studies and Secondary Education from Rutgers University. After studying in Israel and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America—he received his Masters Degree in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinical Ordination in 1987.
Rabbi Graber previously served at the Electchester Jewish Center and Whitestone Hebrew Centre. During that period, he was also instructor of Talmud and Jewish Law at the Solomon Schecter School of Queens. He is the most recent past president of the Rabbinical Assembly's Queens Region, has been a lecturer at the United Nations---and has sat on the Boards of many Jewish and civic organizations. Rabbi Graber is also the Director and an instructor of conversion courses at the Hillel Institute for Judaism.
The Rabbi's wife, Dr. Linda Friedman Graber, is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at New York Institute of Technology. The Grabers have three children, Daniel, Jennifer and Leora.
Rabbi Graber is confident about Temple Hillel's future---and is committed to strengthening our congregation, lending his hands-on approach to every facet of synagogue life.
In a recent interview, Rabbi Graber said: "We are going to increase programming and education. We are going to find more ways to get closer to each other and to G-d. I want to help my new congregation find warmth and beauty and even fun in our tradition. I believe that Temple Hillel has a promising future and I am very happy to be part of that future."
Cantor Kepecs, who possesses a rich and eclectic background---and is recognized as one of the leading young cantors---joined Temple Hillel on August 1, 1996.
The Cantor is a graduate of Yeshiva University with a BA degree in Psychology, a BS in Jewish History and a Hebrew Teacher's Diploma. He also studied at Yeshiva University’s Belz School of Music—where he distinguished himself with his exceptional ability to combine traditional chants with modern liturgical music.
Prior to joining Temple Hillel, Cantor Kepecs served at the Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn and at the Orthodox Community of Colonial Heights in Yonkers, NY.
He has sung at New York’s Lincoln Center, as well as with the the Yeshiva Mizrachi L'Banim Boys Choir (which he also conducted), has been lead singer with—and helped train—the Russian Evocans Choral Ensemble (a choir of New Americans), and has sung with Beth T'filah's choral ensemble in Baltimore.
The Cantor has also performed on behalf of Jewish causes and organizations, including the Mizrachi Organization of Toronto, Emunah of America, and the Cantorial Council of America. He also appeared in the film “A Stranger Among Us” starring Melanie Griffith.
At Temple Hillel, he devotes much of his time to working with the children in our Hebrew School, preparing B'nai Mitzvah, and teaching Adult Education classes.
Cantor Kepecs is a member of the President's Council of the Jewish Ministers Cantors Association. He also concertizes when time permits.
Steven Blitz has been affiliated with Temple Hillel since the summer of 1995.
He is a graduate of the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore (Yeshivas Chofetz Chayim), and attended the Ner Israel Rabbinical College of Baltimore ,as well as the Peabody Conservatory of Music.
Steven served as Ritual Director for two of Baltimore's more prestigious congregations: Shaarei Zion and Ner Tamid. He also served as Cantor at Baltimore's Beth Jacob Congregation on a number of occasions, and appeared as a guest artist on local Baltimore TV Stations.
At Temple Hillel, Steven serves as Ritual Director, instructs and prepares B'Nai and B'Nos Mitzvos---and also teaches an adult education class.
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Temple Hillel
1000 Rosedale Road
North Woodmere, NY 11581
Phone: (516) 791-6344
Fax: (516) 791-6141
Rabbi: Rabbigraber@Templehillel.org
Office: Templehillelsouthside@gmail.com
