Leadership

Rabbi Michel Schlesinger

In the midst of the COVID epidemic of 2020, the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre and Rabbi Michel Schlesinger of São Paulo, Brazil made a special connection. Many Zooms and complicated travel requirements later, we are so happy to have a Rabbi “from
the ends of the earth” who broadens our knowledge of world-wide Judaism and teaches us beautiful new melodies for our liturgy.

Rabbi Schlesinger came from the Congregacao Israelita Paulista in São Paulo, Brazil, the largest synagogue in Latin America, where he was Senior Rabbi from March 2007 to 2021. He had been Assistant Rabbi at the CIP since August, 2005. He has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sao Paulo, and his rabbinical ordination and a Masters in Talmudic Studies and Halacha from the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. He is now an Adjunct Professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Liaison for Interfaith Dialogue
for the New York Board Of Rabbis, and a member of the Jewish National Fund’s “Rabbis for Israel.” He has published a book, Dialogues of A Rabbi, and maintains a strong presence on Instagram as rabinomichel.

While at CIP, Rabbi Schlesinger also represented his congregation at the Jewish Confederation of Brazil for Interreligious Dialogue, the National Catholic-Jewish Dialogue in Qatar, Religions for Peace, the International Council of Christians and Jews, and the Abrahamic Forum. His interfaith work took him to international forums and audiences in the Vatican with Pope John Paul II (once) and Pope Francis(four times). This interfaith work continues: under the sponsorship of the NY Board of Rabbis, he hosted a brunch last year
for the Long Island representatives of clergy from many different religions.

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​Jason Melzer, HERJC President, says,”From the moment he arrived, Rabbi Schlesinger invigorated HERJC with his ability to connect with people on a deep, personal level. He strives to make everyone feel welcome, included, and valued. Rabbi Schlesinger brings his unique style to every service, blending a deep knowledge of Torah with humor, humility, and connection.”

Rabbi Schlesinger, his wife, Juliana, and their two daughters, Naomi and Tamar, have become an integral part of the HERJC community. Juliana is currently an Educator at the Morgan Library in New York City. Naomi and Tamar attend the Lynbrook Public Schools.

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rabbi@herjc.org

Tel: 516-599-2634  ext 214

Hazzan Bonnie Zakarin

Hazzan Zakarin graduated from SUNY Binghamton where she received a BA in Judaic Studies. She was then accepted into the H.L. Miller Cantorial School at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in Manhattan, the premier cantorial school for the Conservative movement on the East Coast. A significant part of the program was going to Israel for the first year and studying at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. She graduated from JTS in 2012, and after her first pulpit in NYC, she joined HERJC in 2015.

​Since Hazzan Zakarin started at HERJC, she has brought zest, energy, and music to many programs at the synagogue. She runs the Kinder Cantors program where children from the congregation learn liturgical and contemporary Jewish music. She helps children (and adults) learn Torah and Haftorah portions for their B'nei Mitzvah and other special Shabbatot and Holidays. She also produces the HERJC Purim spiel, music programs for our Early Childhood Center, and yearly cantorial concerts, as well as participating in countless community activities. She has supported increasing our instrumental musical Shabbatot, with invigorating results. In addition to her role as the Hazzan, she also served for five years as our Religious School Director. Most importantly, in the transition to our new Rabbi complicated by the pandemic, Hazzan Zakarin was the steady presence that gave joy and stability to our congregation. 

Hazzan Zakarin is married to her beloved husband, Moshe, and has two beautiful children, Kayla Esther and Heshy. 

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hazzan@herjc.org

Tel: 516-599-2634  ext 215