Prior to becoming the Rabbi at Temple Beth El, Rabbi Steven Kane had been the spiritual leader at Congregation Sons of Israel in Briarcliff Manor (Westchester) for 30 years, where he is now emeritus. With a balance between tradition and the needs of our times, Rabbi Kane developed rituals and observances that allowed members to express feelings as individuals and as a community in meaningful ways. He brought to the community a robust adult study program that included both creative classes, cutting-edge speakers and scholars in residence. Prior to entering the pulpit, Rabbi Kane worked at The Jewish Theological Seminary as Assistant to the Librarian, responsible for the Rare Book and Manuscript Room, and taught on their Talmud faculty. He has also served as a faculty member of the independent Academy for Jewish Religion.
Rabbi Kane received his master’s degree and rabbinic ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary. In 2012 he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity honorus causa by JTS. He also holds a Bachelor in Hebrew Literature from the University of Judaism (now American Jewish University) and a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis.
Rabbi Kane spent three years as a participant in the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Rabbinic Leadership Initiative and upon graduating became a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute, where he continues to study. He has served as a member of the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS), where he composed the recommended guidelines for High Holiday services for Conservative synagogues during Covid and wrote a teshuvah (responsa) that gives instructions for the taking of medicine on Pesach. He hails from the “holy city” of Chicago and is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and baseball in general. He is married to Judy Kane and together they have three wonderful children: Arielle, Tamar (married to Daniel Lorberbaum) and Elan (married to Leora Einleger), and one grandchild, Eli Tzvi Lorberbaum.
Cantor Ethan Leifer has served as Cantor of Temple Beth El of Cedarhurst over a span of 20 years after serving as the Cantor of Merrick Jewish Centre. His rich voice, energy and charisma have brought added joy to our sanctuary as his renditions are both inspiring and uplifting.
Cantor Ethan Leifer’s singing career began in 1996 when he was picked from the audience at a concert at Colden Center at Queens College by Jewish Music Superstar “Dedi” to sing a duet. The rest as they say is history.
In addition to his role as our Cantor, he is a professional singer and performer. His debut album, Ranenu, which is produced by the world-renowned pianist and musical director of the jazz group “The Manhattan Transfer”, Yaron Gershovsky, contains a wide variety of musical styles including Latin, Middle Eastern and Jewish Rock. The music introduces the listener to a unique assortment of melodies and styles never before heard together on the same album. Ranenu, which was released in 1999, sold over 10,000 copies in its first year, which in the Jewish market is the equivalent of a platinum album.
Ethan’s second album “Jerusalem to Broadway” is a live recording of a concert that he performed at Merrick Jewish Centre. That album was also produced by Yaron Gershovsky and really shows Ethan’s range as a performer and vocalist.
In his spare time Cantor Leifer enjoys playing competitive tennis, softball and singing with his high school’s (RAMAZ) alumni choir. He is also one of the top real estate brokers in the highly competitive NYC market. He has two beautiful daughters. Talia and Mikayla who share his love of Jewish music. Ethan is married to Meryl Kahan.
Jay Stern has served as the Ritual Director of Temple Beth El since 2015 and has become a valued member of the synagogue’s leadership. His warm and jovial personality has endeared him to all. We appreciate his devotion to Temple Beth El and the daily minyan. Jay has also connected with our young people as he has instructed them for Bar and Bat Mitzvah.
Jay was born in Chicago and moved to New York in 1981. He attended South Shore Yeshiva in Hewlett and Yeshiva University High School where he graduated on the Dean’s List. Jay studied in Israel for 2 years before he attended Queens College and graduated with a business degree.
Jay worked for 7 years as Head of Operations for Camp Mesorah, an Orthodox Jewish day camp, where his dad was one of the owners. In 2001 Jay attended culinary school at F.I.U. in North Miami, FL and has managed several restaurants in the New York / New Jersey area.
Jay first gained his love and knowledge of Torah reading while studying at South Shore Yeshiva. It is a skill that he has clearly honed, nurtured and developed and we all enjoy listening to his expert “laining” every week in shul! Jay and his wife Rivka are the proud parents of twin girls Olivia and Abigail.
Rabbi Edward T. Sandrow*
Rabbi Gilbert S. Rosenthal
Dr. Sholom Stern
*Deceased
