Rabbi Jesse Gallop
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Rabbi Jesse Gallop came to our community six years ago, as the founding director of Camp Pinebrook. Rabbi Jesse built a summer home for over 200 children in Westchester County incorporating his Rabbinic training and skills creating the only Reform Jewish camp curriculum in our area.
His rabbinical calling has been to create a community using the toolboxes of our text and traditions. Rabbi Jesse has shown his commitment to partner with congregants, staff, and board members, to create a home based upon Reform Jewish ethics, care, support, and respect. “Together, we’ll create a sacred space to explore spirituality, wrestle with tradition, and strive to make the world a better place.”
Before coming to Temple Israel, Rabbi Jesse was Rabbi at Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation in Ashburn, Virginia, and then Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Ahabah Richmond, Virginia. He has served on community boards battling issues of homelessness and poverty and has sat on the boards of several Jewish organizations. He currently is a board member of Hillels of Westchester.
Rabbi Jesse grew up in the Minneapolis metro area. He graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in social sciences. In 2008 Rabbi Jesse was ordained at the New York campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He has received his Master’s in Business Administration on May 2022 from SUNY Oswego.
Rabbi Jesse has amazing twin sons, Holden and Parker, two playful cats, and is happily married to Recieire Carbelim.
You can contact Rabbi Jesse at RabbiJesseGallop@tinr.org
Click here for Rabbi Jesse and Cantor Rita’s first service together
Cantor Rita Glassman
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Cantor Rita Glassman grew up in Mamaroneck, New York where she attended the Westchester Day School and Mamaroneck High School. Cantor Rita was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York and is a Board Certified Chaplain through the National Association of Professional Chaplains. Cantor Rita is a knowledgeable teacher of Torah and brings a depth of spirituality, insight, and wisdom to all of her Cantorial Endeavors.
Cantor Rita is also a composer with a particular interest in music and prayer that lifts the heart, builds community, and brings joy, healing, and a feeling of deep spiritual connection to all. She is a long-time member of the Helfman Composers Group based in Los Angeles, writing new music for the synagogue. Her music for both children and adults has been published in several URJ anthologies. In her Cantorial role, Cantor Rita has served Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco, and most recently Philadelphia’s Reform Congregation Rodeph Shalom. In addition, Cantor Rita has produced and recorded six CDs (www.RitaGlassman.com).
With her interest in interfaith connection, Cantor Rita was honored to have her original “Song For Peace/Oseh Shalom” performed at the White House for President and Michelle Obama at an interfaith holiday gathering in 2015. She has sung the National Anthem at a San Francisco Giants’ game and at two Golden State Warriors’ games on their Jewish Heritage Nights.
As an experienced Chaplain/Pastoral Caregiver, Cantor Rita brings to her Cantorial role at Temple Israel of New Rochelle a caring, supportive, and compassionate presence for anyone who may be going through any of life’s transitions. She deeply appreciates and embraces diversity. Cantor Rita believes in the notion that “we are all one and responsible to one another,” and that every person who enters a synagogue is welcome “at the table,” has a voice, and is essential to the life and well being of the congregation. Cantor Rita is the proud mother of a daughter, Rebecca Shira, who lives in Manhattan and is happy to have her mom “back in the neighborhood” – as is her mom.
You can contact Cantor Rita at CantorRitaGlassman@tinr.org
Click here for Rabbi Jesse and Cantor Rita’s first service together
Click here for Cantor Rita’s first sermon (pdf)
Click here to find out how Cantor’s strength has inspired others!
Helene Shifrin Reps
Known as the “Cantor’s Cantor,” Helene Shifrin Reps serves as our Cantor Emerita.
Cantor Reps’ musical training began in Oakdale, Pennsylvania, where she pursued lessons in piano, theory, elocution, dance, and clarinet during her childhood. Her musical studies continued at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon. As a college junior, Cantor Reps made her performance debut with William Steinberg and the Pittsburgh Symphony, as soloist in the Mozart Requiem. After college, Cantor Reps taught music in Harlem, while studying with Jennie Tourel and performing in Manhattan. Again she sang with the Pittsburgh Symphony, as well as opera companies and ensembles. She toured both nationally and internationally with the Antiqua Players of the University of Pittsburgh.
Along with her husband, David, and their young family, Cantor Reps relocated to White Plains. She attended Hebrew Union College, and, in 1979 became one of the world’s first female cantors to graduate. The following year, she joined Temple Israel of New Rochelle, first as Cantorial assistant and then as Cantor and music director. She served Temple Israel actively for 17 years, bringing her beautiful voice and musicality, warmth and charm to our community.
While Cantor Reps retired in 1997, she remains active at Temple Israel. Cantor has four children and eight grandchildren.
Anita Aronoff
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