Temple Shaaray Tefila Welcomes New Senior Rabbi

BEDFORD CORNERS, NY — Temple Shaaray Tefila of Bedford Corners recently announces that Rabbi David Wilfond will begin as senior rabbi July 1. Karen Spiegel, president of Temple Shaaray Tefila, said she was thrilled to welcome Wilfond to the community.

“Rabbi Wilfond will build on our strengths and expand our horizons through his recognized leadership, deep knowledge of Judaism and innovative ideas,” she said.

Wilfond, a graduate of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) Rabbinical Seminary, the University of Florida and Rutgers University, has served as the rabbi for congregations in Kiev, Ukraine; Wellesley, Massachusetts, and London, England. Most recently, for the past 13 years, Wilfond has held the position of rabbi in residence at the Abraham Geiger Rabbinical College's Jerusalem campus in Israel.

He also held positions at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem as director of admissions and at the Union for Reform Judaism as director of education for the North American Federation of Temple Youth in Israel.

“I am honored to be joining such a vibrant congregation characterized by a deep commitment to Jewish values and a powerful sense of community,” Wilfond said.

“I was born and raised in New Jersey and am thrilled to be returning home closer to family and friends, the wonderful community of Westchester County, and the best bagels in the world!” he said.

The new rabbi brings a broad array of talents to Temple Shaaray Tefila and the greater Westchester community. Educational innovation, lifelong learning and inclusive programming are just a few of Rabbi Wilfond’s priorities as he begins his tenure at Temple Shaaray Tefila, officials said.

Wilfond will become the second senior rabbi in Temple Shaaray Tefila’s 43-year history. The congregation’s current senior rabbi, Rabbi David Greenberg, will become rabbi emeritus this summer, after serving in the role for 43 years. Rabbi Jason Nevarez, who has served as a rabbi at Temple Shaaray Tefila for 17 years, has accepted the position of senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego.

“Rabbi Wilfond is a man of integrity, a man of kindness, and a man of significant Jewish learning,” Greenberg said. “He is going to lead this congregation in a positive, fulfilling and Jewishly worthy direction.”

“I am excited to build upon the incredible legacy of Rabbi David Greenberg to create a congregation grounded in meaning, belonging, and Jewish values,” said Wilfond.

Located in Bedford Corners, Temple Shaaray Tefila is a Reform synagogue which has a thriving Early Childhood Center and K-12 Religious School. Temple Shaaray Tefila serves more than 600 families in Bedford, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Chappaqua, Somers, Armonk and surrounding communities.

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