Rabbi Bennett Greenspon has been the rabbi of Temple Beth Emet since almost its founding. It was as though he and the congregation fell into each other at their first encounter and as the cliché goes “the rest is history.”
Rabbi Greenspon has been committed to TBE and the community over the past decades. He has served on the board of the Jewish Federation, the David Posnak JCC and other Jewish and community institutions. He has worked as a part of the faculty of Camp Coleman and has served as Dean of the SEFTY Institute.
It is his feeling that TBE should be a place that is open to new ideas and programs; it should be a place where people can come and feel comfortable while they connect to their roots. It should be a synagogue that is always striving to be a better one.
Bennett is married to Karen, an art teacher with the Broward County School System. Their children are Adam, a lawyer in private practice, Rebecca, a dietician and weight loss specialist and Daniel, an aspiring screenwriter. Their dog Georgie Okeefe is a frequent youth group retreat participant.
To contact Rabbi Greenspon rabbi@templebethemet.org
Rabbi Frank DeWoskin joined our community as one of our rabbis in 2011. He has a strong background working with Jewish youth and adults within informal education environments. Before moving to South Florida, Rabbi DeWoskin spent the first stage of his rabbinate as associate director and then as the director at Camp Harlam, an overnight Jewish summer camp. He was ordained at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2000.
In his Rabbinic Vision Statement, Rabbi DeWoskin wrote, “My love of Judaism began in the warmth of my family’s home with the flickering lights of Shabbat and Chanukah candles, the sweet smell of kugel, brisket and challah, the laughter as we celebrated so many holidays together…I became a rabbi to help Judaism come to life for every Jew, in every environment possible, through any and all means…Being a rabbi incorporates so much of what I value: my entire belief system, building relationships, interacting with others, raising my children, believing in God, connecting with Israel, practicing both tikkun olam (values to make the world a better place) and tikkun midot (values to make the individual better). I am spiritually moved by music, which sets a tone that goes beyond the spoken word.”
Rabbi DeWoskin shares, “My family and I are truly blessed to be a part this amazing temple. The positive energy throughout TBE permeates every facet of the community. It is easy to be engulfed by it and sets a wonderful standard for many congregations. I look forward to continuing building relationships with people of all ages, getting to know everyone better, celebrating special life cycle events and holding hands in moments of sadness. I am excited to be sharing and partnering with this community that I call home.”
Rabbi DeWoskin and his wife Sarah have three children, Elijah (18), Mia (15) and Livia (15) and two dogs, Tommy and Hope.
To contact Rabbi DeWoskin rabbifd@templebethemet.org
Cantor Jan Sheer has served as Cantor of Temple Beth Emet for the past 39 years. She is involved in every aspect of congregational life. Her primary responsibilities include music and prayer at all religious services, life cycle events and the programs in our schools. She supervises Temple Beth Emet's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program, tutors Bar/Bat Mitzvah students, creates the curriculum and teaches our 10th Grade Confirmation Class, as well as some of our Adult Educational programs. She also directs our Temple Beth Emet Adult and Children's Choirs. She is blessed to work with many talented assistants in these endeavors.
Cantor Jan graduated from the University of Florida with a Major in Applied Music (Voice) and a minor in Education. She participated in post graduate studies programs in language education at the Universite de Sorbonne in Paris, as well as advanced cantorial and religious studies with such renowned rabbis and cantors as Cantor/Dr. Ivan Perlman, Cantor Tzvi Adler, Rabbi Morris Kipper, Rabbi Stuart Kelman and composer/performer extraordinaire Debbie Friedman.
Cantor Jan is a veteran leader of 9 National Federation of Temple Youth 6-week Summer in Israel Programs. She served as Music Director for B'nai B'rith Youth Organization's international CLTC Program for 3 years. She also is a veteran Judaica teacher in many Jewish schools all over Dade and Broward Counties, having taught for the Central Agency for Jewish Education for over 25 years. Cantor Jan has also been a staff member and strong supporter of Camp Fiesta since its inception, which is South Florida's only summer camp for children with cancer.
Cantor Jan was inspired to become a Cantor when her life was changed by attending the High School in Israel Program in 1975. When her mentor, Rabbi Morris Kipper, the Director of the program, informed her that it was possible to merge her love for Israel and Judaism with her love for singing, she was hooked! Now,through her warmth, sensitivity and caring heart, Cantor Jan connects deeply with every student and parent.
Cantor Jan has shared the Temple Beth Emet Bimah with such Jewish musical luminaries as Debbie Friedman, Julie Silver, Rick Recht, Sam Glaser and Neshama Carlebach.
She is currently somewhat of an "internet sensation" (along with her husband of 36 years, Aley), with the video: "Kosher Face", which has more than half a million views on YouTube. Check it out!
One of the things that brings Cantor Jan the most joy is officiating at the weddings of so many former students...whom she has known since childhood and watched become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah...many were named here at Temple Beth Emet as well...and now as she celebrates the baby namings and Britot Milah of THEIR children...she is reminded of the incredible strength of the Temple Beth Emet family.
To contact Cantor Jan cantorjan@yahoo.com