Rabbi Scott B. Weiner became the rabbi of the Hebrew Tabernacle Congregation in August of 2004.  He enjoys being the rabbi of a congregation as diverse, storied and unique as Hebrew Tabernacle and is happy to live out his passions at HT; leading meaningful worship experiences for all, teaching thought provoking courses for adults and children, providing inspiring programming and being a catalyst for social activism.

 

Before joining Hebrew Tabernacle, Rabbi Weiner spent four years as the Rabbinic Intern at Manhattan ’s historic Central Synagogue where his time was devoted to being Youth Director, teacher and a pulpit presence.

 

Rabbi Weiner’s vision of the rabbinate is the same as his vision of Judaism in general; Judaism is not a spectator sport.  One must engage Judaism in every way possible, from prayer to learning, from protests to visiting the sick, from visiting Israel regularly to feeding the homeless.  For Rabbi Weiner, Judaism is at its best when spirituality and action are paired together.

 

To fulfill his vision of Judaism, Rabbi Weiner is an active supporter of many organizations.  In addition to his support of many Jewish organizations and institutions, the rabbi supports many environmental causes, Israel organizations, social justice & human rights groups, homelessness/hunger prevention and service organizations.  Rabbi Weiner is member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the New York Board of Rabbis, New York Area Reform Rabbis, Rabbis for Human Rights, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the ACLU, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Counsel, the American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, the Nature Conservancy and the Save Darfur Coalition.  Rabbi Weiner is a member of the board of directors and rabbinic cabinet of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, a URJ Kutz Camp Committee member, a member of the rabbinic cabinet of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, and a member of the clergy advisory board of Concerned Clergy for Choice.

 

Perhaps the best example of Rabbi Weiner’s commitment to active Judaism is the Running Rabbis, which he co-founded with his chevruta (study) partner, Rabbi Benjamin David .  The Running Rabbis run marathons and other races to raise funds and awareness for important charities and causes.  Rabbi Weiner has run and completed three marathons and is looking forward to more in the future.

 

Rabbi Weiner’s decision to become a rabbi was greatly influenced by his experiences in Jewish youth groups and movements.  Therefore, throughout his career, Rabbi Weiner has been a vocal advocate for Jewish youth programs.  Rabbi Weiner was the Assistant Director of the North American Federation of Temple Youth as well as the Assistant Director of the URJ Kutz Camp.  He has also been a youth group advisor and an Israel teen tour educator.  Each summer, the Rabbi returns to camp as a member of its education faculty.

 

Since coming to Hebrew Tabernacle over three years ago, Rabbi Weiner has relished the opportunity to lead HT as it enters a new phase of communal life.  Having just celebrated its centennial, Rabbi Weiner hopes to help the Tabernacle chart a course into a bright future with a renewed focus on prayer and education as well as opening news paths in social action and youth activities.

 

Last year, the Rabbi and his wife Limor, moved to his native state of New Jersey where they live with their daughter Jordan and dog Vicki.  Limor and Scott recently celebrated their tenth anniversary together; the two met while studying at the University of Haifa.  Rabbi Weiner holds a Bachelors of Arts in Judaic Studies from the State University of New York at Albany.  He earned his M.A. in Hebrew Literature and was granted rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion; he studied at the Jerusalem and New York campuses.

 

The rabbi can be reached by calling the office at (212) 568-8304 or by emailing him at rabbi@hebrewtabernacle.org.