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~ PROFESSIONAL STAFF ~ |
                 
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Rabbi Morris Zimbalist is the Rabbi of Montebello Jewish Center in Montebello, New York. He was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 2002 and was the recipient of the Lillian M. Lowenfeld Prize for excellence in the field of practical theology. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Rabbi Zimbalist grew up in the Conservative movement and was very active in his synagogue, participated in USY and attended both Camp Herzl and Camp Ramah. He firmly believes in the importance of living a Jewish life and that there must be continuity in Jewish education from the classroom, to the synagogue and in the home. Rabbi Zimbalist graduated from Boston University where he earned a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. Rabbi Zimbalist is currently the President of the
Rockland County Board of Rabbis, a member of the Rabbi’s Advisory Council
for the Hudson Valley Political Action Committee (HUVPAC), a trustee of
Rockland County’s Holocaust Museum and Study Center and a trustee of Hebrew
Community Chapel / Free Burial Society of Rockland County. He is also a
member of the Mikveh Planning Committee of Orange County. Rabbi Zimbalist
maintains a close relationship with the Jewish Theological Seminary of
America, where he is a mentor for Rabbinical School students and a member of
the Rabbinical School Admissions Committee. Rabbi Zimbalist has also served
as the Chaplain for the Jewish War Veterans of the State of New York and as
a member of the Editorial Board of the Rockland County Jewish Reporter.
Cantor Freedman, who is originally from suburban Philadelphia, did not grow up in a religiously observant home. Rather, she learned much about Judaism as a young adult. She believes that learning later in life has made her appreciate the learning process and has enabled her to connect to people with limited exposure to Judaism as well as to those who are more learned. Before joining the staff at MJC, Cantor Freedman served as cantor for nine years at Temple Israel in Ridgewood, NJ. She is the past president of the JTS Cantorial School Alumni Association. She has recently served on the Cantors Assembly (CA) Executive Council, is a member of the CA's Education Committee and has served as chair of the Dor L'dor program, a mentoring program for cantorial students. Cantor Freedman is a member of the New Jersey Cantors Concert Ensemble, for which she has served as Secretary, Education Chair, and Vice-chair. Prior to her cantorial studies, Cantor Freedman worked in a variety of Jewish settings as a teacher. She received a Bachelor of Music in Opera from the Hartt School of Music. She earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory. Cantor Freedman is the proud mother of four year-old twins, Erica and Kara.
Richard Orlando, President
Richie Orlando was the past president of Pomona Jewish Center with 25 years of human resource experience, the last eight of which was with Yeshiva University. Richie was involved in the merger negotiations between CSI of Suffern and PJC of Pomona and has served as a trustee and officer of Montebello Jewish Center. Richie values synagogue life as being instrumental in the nurturing and the educating of our greatest natural resource-our children, who will ultimately perpetuate our Jewish identity for generations to come. Married to Susan, who as Rockland Area Director for the Metro North Branch of the Women's league for Conservative Judaism, has represented MJC for several years. Richie's focus is to preserve our legacy and continue our growth, as we offer new programs and services to all of our members.
Ashley Lehrman, Youth Director
Ashley Lehrman is excited to once again be involved in the youth group! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail her!
Linda Tanenbaum began working as the bookkeeper of Montebello Jewish Center in July 2002. She was Assistant Director of Finance of Good Samaritan Hospital for 12 years before leaving in 1995 for the “easy life” of part time work. From 1997 through 2007 Linda worked as an accountant with a CPA firm in Spring Valley. “Working at MJC is like working with family. My family moved to Rockland County in 1968 and joined Congregation Sons of Israel, where I became a Bat Mitzvah. Now we’re members of MJC and my own children have become B’nai Mitzvah. It’s comfortable to work with and for so many people who are such an integral part of my life.”
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