Rabbi Larry Freedman began his tenure at Temple Beth Jacob July 2008. He is a 1992 ordinee of Hebrew Union College, New York. He earned his Masters from HUC in Los Angeles and graduated with a BA in 1986 from Brandeis University. Rabbi Freedman served four years as associate rabbi at Temple Sinai of Roslyn, NY, then as associate rabbi and educator at Temple Sinai of Pittsburgh for 10 years. Following a brief two years as director of education at a synagogue outside of Boston, Rabbi Freedman is excited to return to the pulpit in Newburgh. Rabbi Freedman is an 11 year veteran of Eisner Camp and served as faculty at Kutz Camp, Camp George in Ontario and Goldman Union Camp in Indianapolis.

If you have any questions or concerns, please give the rabbi a call. He is anxious to meet new people in the area and welcome them in to the TBJ family.

Rabbi Freedman's blog can be found at http://rabbifreedman.blogspot.com/.

Cantor Anna Zhar returns to TBJ. Cantor Zhar served as a student cantor for two years until 2007 when she was invested as a cantor from Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion. Cantor Zhar earned a degree in choral conducting and music education from the Tchaikovsky Music Academy in Moskow. In Israel, Cantor Zhar graduated with honors from the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. She has also earned a Masters degree from San Francisco State University prior to enrolling in cantorial school.