~ PROFESSIONAL STAFF ~

 
   Rabbi Morris Zimbalist     
   Phone: (845)-357-2430
   E-Mail: Rabbimz@aol.com   

Rabbi Morris Zimbalist is the Rabbi of Montebello Jewish Center in Montebello, New York since 2003. He was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 2002 and was the recipient of the Lillian M. Lowenfeld Prize for excellence in the field of practical theology. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Rabbi Zimbalist grew up in the Conservative Movement and was very active in his synagogue, participated in USY and attended both Camp Herzl and Camp Ramah. He firmly believes in the importance of living a Jewish life and that there must be continuity in Jewish education from the classroom, to the synagogue and in the home. Rabbi Zimbalist graduated from Boston University where he earned a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Political Science.

Rabbi Zimbalist is the immediate past President of the Rockland County Board of Rabbis, a trustee of Rockland County’s Holocaust Museum and Study Center and a trustee of the Gerrard Berman Day School. He is also the Chaplain for the Suffern Fire Department. Rabbi Zimbalist maintains a close relationship with the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he is a mentor for Rabbinical School students. He has also served as the Chaplain for the Jewish War Veterans of the State of New York and as a member of the Editorial Board of the Rockland County Jewish Reporter.

In January 2010, Rabbi Zimbalist was certified by the Joint Bet Din of the Conservative Movement as a Mesader GET – one who can help facilitate Jewish divorce including writing the GET document itself. Rabbi Zimbalist is one of only twenty-seven rabbis in the Conservative Movement with the training and certification to perform this sacred task.

Prior to his rabbinic studies, Rabbi Zimbalist worked in the Psychology Research Laboratory at McLean Hospital, a psychiatric research hospital just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. In that position, Rabbi Zimbalist worked with different clinical researchers and co-authored several publications on genetic links to mental illness.

Rabbi Zimbalist is married to his beloved wife Alison and he is the proud father of Zachary.

 

  
    Cantor & Religious School Director
    Michelle Freedman     
    Phone: (845)-357-2430
    E-Mail: cantormich@yahoo.com    

Cantor Michelle Freedman is Montebello Jewish Center’s new Cantor and Religious School Director. She was invested by the Jewish Theological Seminary’s H.L. Miller Cantorial School, from which she received a Master of Sacred Music and a Diploma of Hazzan in 1999. She was the first recipient of the Richard W. Briskin Cantor-in-Residence Award.

Cantor Freedman, who is originally from suburban Philadelphia, did not grow up in a religiously observant home. Rather, she learned much about Judaism as a young adult. She believes that learning later in life has made her appreciate the learning process and has enabled her to connect to people with limited exposure to Judaism as well as to those who are more learned.

Before joining the staff at MJC, Cantor Freedman served as cantor for nine years at Temple Israel in Ridgewood, NJ. She is the past president of the JTS Cantorial School Alumni Association. She has recently served on the Cantors Assembly (CA) Executive Council, is a member of the CA's Education Committee and has served as chair of the Dor L'dor program, a mentoring program for cantorial students. Cantor Freedman is a member of the New Jersey Cantors Concert Ensemble, for which she has served as Secretary, Education Chair, and Vice-chair.

Prior to her cantorial studies, Cantor Freedman worked in a variety of Jewish settings as a teacher. She received a Bachelor of Music in Opera from the Hartt School of Music. She earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory.

Cantor Freedman is the proud mother of twin daughters, Erica and Kara.     

      Mark Kamen, President     
      Phone: (845)-357-2430
      E-Mail: markakamen@gmail.com   

Mark Kamen has served Montebello Jewish Center in many capacities since it's inception in 2001. Whether as Chairman of the High Holiday committee, working on fundraising and ritual committees, or davening on Shabbat, his commitment is to building and strengthening our communal family.
" We laugh, We cry, We pray Together..and don't forget eating too "

Mark's professional career has spanned 30 years in the jewelry industry where he served as a sales executive for one of the world's largest firms.

Mark has lived in Rockland for 27 years and is married to his beloved wife Sharman. They have three incredible children, Kelly, Daniel, and Elana.
 

     
   Karyn Storm, Secretary
   Phone: (845)-357-2430
   E-Mail: Office@Montebellojc.org

Karyn Storm became part of the Montebello Jewish Center in January 2008. She brings with her 25 years of business experience, the last seven of which were spent learning how to support Jewish organizations. “I worked at the UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey in Bergen County, then at the Jewish Federation of Rockland County. Having worked at other companies, it is comforting and so meaningful to be here at Montebello Jewish Center. You really get a sense of being part of a wonderful family.”

 

   Linda Tanenbaum, Bookkeeper    
   Phone: (845)-357-2430
   E-Mail: Bookkeep@Montebellojc.org

Linda Tanenbaum began working as the bookkeeper of Montebello Jewish Center in July 2002.  She was Assistant Director of Finance of Good Samaritan Hospital for 12 years before leaving in 1995 for the “easy life” of part time work.  From 1997 through 2007 Linda worked as an accountant with a CPA firm in Spring Valley.   

“Working at MJC is like working with family.  My family moved to Rockland County in 1968 and joined Congregation Sons of Israel, where I became a Bat Mitzvah.  Now we’re members of MJC and my own children have become B’nai Mitzvah. It’s comfortable to work with and for so many people who are such an integral part of my life.”