“One of the things I love to do through teaching and pastoral encounters, is to help adults and children identify ‘God moments’ - those instances when we feel God’s presence at work in our lives.” – Rabbi Beal
Rabbi Brian Beal brings abounding energy, conviction, and a love of Jewish living to our community. He arrived at Temple Beth Torah in July of 2001 and, in a short time, has helped grow our programming into a dynamic array of offerings that meet the needs and interests of congregants of all ages.
We are blessed to have a rabbi who takes the time to develop relationships. The lifecycle events he conducts are warm, spiritually uplifting and inspiring—and each one is unique and personal. Rabbi Beal welcomes interfaith families, reaching out to all who wish to be active in our community. He also studies with those contemplating conversion, offers a private pre-marital program for each couple he marries, and provides a listening ear in times of need.
Rabbi Beal developed a cutting-edge youth program when he began his rabbinate in Manalapan, New Jersey. He has since brought the program to TBT. He spends quality time in our Religious School interacting with our younger children through guest teaching, storytelling, and school-wide programming. Rabbi Beal is the primary teacher for our 10th grade Confirmation class and 11th-12th grade Post-Confirmation Program.
Rabbi Beal is instrumental in executing TBT’s vision for making the world a better place. He drove efforts to collect and deliver a 70-ft trailer of goods to Katrina survivors and initiated a program that has provided over $100,000 in tax credits to Rockland’s working poor. He is Co-chair in the Nyack Interfaith Clergy Association. Naomi Adler, Rabbi Beal’s wife, is President and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam. This connection has furthered some of TBT’s major charitable efforts. Naomi and their three children, Joshua, Benjamin and Ari, are actively involved in Temple life. Whether it’s singing in the Adult Choir or participating in Tot Shabbat, the rabbi’s family is an integral part of the TBT community.
Cantor Sally Neff has a gift that enables her to touch the hearts and souls of those around her. She is warm and welcoming, and the look on her face when she is singing reflects her deep love of music and worship.
A master educator in the classroom and in less formal settings, Cantor Neff loves working with both children and adults. Her sermons in song - a combination of performance and teaching - reflect a depth of knowledge and talent that is glorious to behold. Cantor Neff has had the honor of singing under the direction of Ben Steinberg, the renowned composer of Jewish music, and alongside the well-known Jewish tenor, Alberto Mizrahi.
Born and raised in Queens, New York where she attended Temple Israel of Jamaica, she began singing at services when needed. She completed a double degree program through Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Oberlin College, where she studied Vocal Performance and Judaic Studies, earning honors in both. Her great love for Judaism, spirituality, and music led her to pursue cantorial school rather than a career on the stage. She attended the HUC - JIR School of Sacred Music, completing her degree in 2002 with a thesis entitled, “Music as Midrash: Music as a Language for the Creation and Communication of Meaning.” Before coming to Temple Beth Torah, she served congregations in Edison, New Jersey and Worcester, Massachusetts.
Hi all! I wanted to share two things with you to put you in a Rosh Hashanah mood for tonight. The first is in the catagory, “Wisdom of My Students.” I assign my students thirteen mitzvot to do in preparation for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. One of these is to read something Jewish (a [...]
Hi folks. I want to apologize for not posting in a few weeks. I have been quite busy with preparations for the High Holy Days and the start of the year. Back to School is also Back to Shul and we are getting ready (not that we ever really left…) I am hard at work [...]
From the ACC website (http://www.accantors.org) It is our pleasure to announce those Cantors who will proudly represent the ACC in Rome this November in a concert promoting Catholic-Jewish dialogue. The concert will be held at the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. This group of Cantors was chosen from among the many [...]
Cantor Neff Selected for Vatican Concert in November
It is with great pride and pleasure that we announce that Cantor Sally Neff, along with 19 other Cantors from North America, will proudly represent the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) in Rome in a concert promoting Catholic-Jewish dialogue. The concert will be held at the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri on November 16th at 7:00pm local time.
Below is Cantor Neff's audition recording:
Watch video of Cantor Neff's Avinu Malkeinu presentation
Avinu Malkeinu Our Father Our King? A Sermon in Song presented by Cantor Sally Neff
We sing the words every year, but why do we sing them? What do they mean and where did these melodies come from?
On Saturday, September 8th, our own Cantor Sally Neff taught us about this text through prayer and song.
For those who missed it, click hereto see her beautiful 30-minute video presentation.
“One of the things I love to do through teaching and pastoral encounters, is to help adults and children identify ‘God moments’ - those instances when we feel God’s presence at work in our lives.” – Rabbi Beal
