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Our Rabbi and Cantor

Before joining the ASBEE family in 1997, Rabbi Joel M. Finkelstein was the Assistant Rabbi of the historic Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, the oldest congregation in America, founded in 1654. A leader in community outreach, education, and youth programming both here and in Israel, he also served as principal of the Polonies Talmud Torah School. Prior to that, Rabbi Finkelstein served as Rabbi of the Young Israel of Lawrenceville,NJ. He has also taught Judaic Studies at S/A/R in Riverdale, NY and at Stern College for Women. Rabbi Finkelstein earned his BA in psychology from Yeshiva College and received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1989, where he studied with Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. He completed his coursework toward a PhD in medieval Jewish history at Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School, where he wrote his dissertation for his Masters' degree on the Medieval talmudist, RASHBAM. The Rabbi is the founder locally of the Akiva Institute, a November institute of learning at his congregation and Speak Hebrew Memphis! a program to encourage the spoken word of Hebrew

Our Cantor, Aryeh Samberg, is not only melodious, but filled with soul and feeling. He is also deeply involved with our youth and NCSY. He also offers a wide array of beginners' offerings in Hebrew and prayers throughout the year. His able wife, Adina, leads the youth service each week.