Pearl River Temple Hires New Religious School Principal

Just in time for the beginning of the religious school year, Beth Am Temple in Pearl River has a new principal with the hiring of Westchester native Barry Shainker.

After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware, Shainker served as youth advisor in Great Neck and at his hometown synagogue in New Rochelle. As a student in the Master of Arts in Religious Education program at HUC-JIR, the Reform movement’s seminary, Shainker had the privilege of serving large communities in White Plains and Bedford, and is now anxious to experience the warmth and intimacy found in Pearl River.

“One of my personal goals as a Jewish educator is to provide all of my learners with the skills, tools, and resources needed to guide them through their Jewish journeys,” said Shainker. “Judaism, after all, has never existed in a vacuum. It has always needed to adapt, grow, and develop in response to the circumstances of life and society which have surrounded it,” he added.

Beth Am’s high institutional priorities attracted Shainker to the position. “I’m excited to work with students as they meet the high academic expectations that come along with leading Shabbat services in celebration of becoming B’nai Mitzvah,” he said. “I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for and commitment to Reform Judaism, something that has been an integral part of my life since high school.”

For information on Beth Am Temple’s religious school, which runs from September through May, Barry Shainker can be reached at (845) 735-5858, ext. 105 or principal@bethamtemple.org.