Rabbi Sam Blustin
Associate Rabbi, Director of Tefillah & Music
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Cantor Joel Lichterman
Hazzan and Director of B’nei Mitzvah Programming
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Dr. Rabbi Moshe Shualy
Ritual Director Emeritus
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Chizuk Amuno Congregation & Schools welcomed Rabbi Gruenberg as our Senior Rabbi in July 2018. Prior to his appointment, Rabbi Gruenberg served as the Rabbi of Congregation Beth El in Yardly, Pennsylvania for seven years where he was known for his innovative, involvement in the schools, and engagement of young families.
Rabbi Gruenberg is a product of the Conservative Jewish movement as the child of parents who both made their careers in the Conservative Jewish education field in both synagogue and day-school surroundings. He attended a Solomon Schechter day school, Camp Ramah and USY. He also worked for all three of these organizations as well.
In addition to reinvigorating aspects at his former congregation, Rabbi Gruenberg is involved in the community at-large and has held positions of leadership. Rabbi Gruenberg was the president of the Bucks County Board of Rabbis, a member of the national UJC rabbinic cabinet, and Chair of a Rabbinical Assembly committee on rabbinic care for colleagues new to the field. He was selected to participate in the Kellogg School of Rabbinic Management at Northwestern University and has written numerous articles for media sources, the Bucks County Courier Times and the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.
Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg grew up in Westchester County, NY and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Binghamton. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary as a Conservative rabbi in 2002 and immediately served as Rabbi-in-Residence and Director of Judaic Studies for a Solomon Schechter elementary and high-school. Rabbi Gruenberg and his wife Elissa moved to Nyack in 2004 where he was the spiritual leader of Congregation Sons of Israel for almost seven years. During their time in Nyack they increased their family with two new members, their son Samuel and their daughter Kayla.
Rabbi Wechsler has touched the lives of many members of our community through her intellect, warmth, compassion and commitment to the ideals of Conservative Judaism. As the first woman to serve as rabbi of Chizuk Amuno Congregation, her impact and accomplishments are demonstrated in our successful b’nei mitzvah, adult learning programs, gemilut hasadim efforts, and many learning and life cycle experiences.
Debi has served Chizuk Amuno Congregation since 1999. She received her rabbinic ordination, as well as an M.A. degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. Prior to becoming a pulpit rabbi at Chizuk Amuno, she served as an educator at the 92nd Street Y also in New York City.
Teaching has been Rabbi Wechsler’s first love and she is indeed, a teacher par excellence. The breadth and depth of her Judaic knowledge might be formidable if not for her warm and accessible teaching style. Through her b’nei mitzvah program and adult learning classes, Debi’s perspective of Judaism through her particular lens has been encouraging and empowering. She is ever mindful of the wisdom, optimism, and even humor, to be gained from our cherished Jewish tradition.
She has published sermons and opinion articles in The American Rabbi, The Orchard, The Forward, and the New York Jewish Week and she is the mother of Rena and Ruben, alumni of Krieger Schechter Day School.
