Community Corner

Temple Beth Sholom Appoints New Rabbi

Congregation welcomes Rabbi Jonathan Waxman.

Temple Beth Sholom has appointed a new rabbi, Jonathan Waxman, filling a position that has been empty for five months.

"We are very excited about this," said Dr. Shafer Zysman, president of the temple. "He was overwhelming approved by the congregation on Tuesday."

Rabbi Waxman was the rabbi at conservative congregation Beth-El in Massapequa for eight years and comes from a long line of rabbis. His father was the late Rabbi Mordecai Waxman, who served at Temple Israel in Great Neck for more than 50 years and is considered "one of the most respected scholars and renown leaders the Conservative Jewish movement has ever produced," according to Zysman and the Beth-El congregation.

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"To some I'll always be Mordy's son, but I have forged my own identity and made my distinct contributions to the movement," Rabbi Waxman said when he took over as rabbi in Massapequa.

Rabbi Waxman has 33 years of total experience as a Rabbi, 25 years in New Jersey and eight on Long Island.

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At B'nai Sholom in New Jersey, he initiated many new programs like interactive Talmud and Bible study and discussed Jewish history in-depth at his monthly "Bagels with the Rabbi." He is also known for his culinary skills, hosting a regular program called "Gourmet Shabbat with Chef Waxman."

At Temple Beth Sholom, he hopes to expand the religious school and Hebrew education program, promote social, cultural and educational programs for the members and the community at large, expand the senior lunch and learn programs and "develop a strong rapport with other religious organizations in Smithtown" by welcoming more interfaith families into the congregation.

Rabbi Waxman has been published internationally and many of his sermons have been selected for Torah Fax, a rabbinic community publication. He also helped open the Shore Hebrew High School and is a regular presenter at inter-congregational lectures.

He began as a political science major at Brandeis University, but ultimately went to the Jewish Theological Seminary to pursue a doctorate in Jewish history, hoping to stay in academia. After his ordination in 1977, he was hired as the spiritual leader of Congregation B'nai Sholom in New Jersey and decided to stay working as a rabbi rather than returning to his studies.

"I discovered that I enjoyed interacting with people. Being part of and touching people's lives is very meaningful," he said. 

Rabbi Waxman collects rare Haggadahs from around the word, enjoys reading science fiction Star Trek novels and his favorite holiday is Passover because it is "rich in symbolism and tradition."

His wife Sarrae is also a proactive religious figure and community leader.

The Temple Beth Sholom congregation welcomes the Waxman family.

"He is very learned and brings a great amount of experience," Dr. Zysman said. "The temple is making a huge comeback with this appointment."


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