Rabbi Geoffrey A. Spector
Rabbi Spector came to Congregation Ohev Shalom in 2022, just in time to lead us in an inspiring High Holiday service that touched our hearts. Before coming to Ohev Shalom, Rabbi Geoffrey Spector was the Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, NJ for 17 years. Previously, he served as the spiritual leader of Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation in Metairie, Louisiana.
Rabbi Spector is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in Jewish Studies. He received his rabbinical ordination and MA from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Rabbi Spector also holds a Master of Theology degree in Comparative Religion from Harvard University Divinity School, where he was awarded the Charles E. Merrill Fellowship for clergy. Rabbi Spector held the position of Adjunct Professor of Jewish Studies at Tulane University, where he taught popular courses in Bible and Jewish Thought.
Rabbi Spector has served as President of the Southwest Region of the Rabbinical Assembly and as a member of the RA Executive Committee. Recently, Rabbi Spector was honored with the Doctor of Divinity degree from JTS in recognition of his nearly 30 years of service to the Conservative Movement and to the broader Jewish community.
In 1996, Rabbi Spector was chosen as a “community heroes” to carry the Olympic Torch through part of New Orleans as the torch made its way to Atlanta. Rabbi Spector is a passionate lover of the State of Israel, a proud member of AIPAC, and a strong advocate for bipartisan support of Israel in the United States Congress. He is married to Karen, a Jewish educator, and he is the proud father of Joshua and Jordan, who both reside in the Boston area. In his spare time, Rabbi Spector enjoys listening to Celtic music and watching old reruns of Star Trek and Gunsmoke.
Cantor Jeffrey Weber
Cantor Weber graduated from the H. L. Miller Cantorial School at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Since receiving his degree as a Hazzan and Master of Sacred Music, Cantor Weber has performed in a variety of concerts internationally, including appearing as a soloist with the Cantors Assembly at the Berlin Concert Hall. He is a member of the Cantors Assembly, and has performed in Poland, Germany, Israel, Canada, and the United States (including at the Kennedy Center.) He can be seen in the documentary film "100 Voices: A Journey Home" documenting the Cantors Assembly Mission to Poland. Cantor Weber performed as part of the Jewish Festival in Kraków, and has participated in Yom HaShoah programs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.
In addition to being a talented pianist and guitarist, Cantor Weber is a seasoned opera singer. He began his vocal studies with famed Metropolitan Opera star Eleanor Steber at the age of 14 and received his music degree from the Juilliard School of Music. Cantor Weber performed for many years with both the New York City Opera and Metropolitan Opera, and for several seasons at the Tanglewood Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Lake George Opera and Sarasota Opera as well as several other companies nationally. Cantor Weber is married to Andrea, also an opera singer, and is the proud father of two sons.
With his extensive cantorial, musical and performance background, Cantor Weber is excited to continue the Ohev Shalom tradition of infusing services and programs with music that is spiritual and inspiring.
Cantor Emeritus Allan Robuck
Cantor Allan Robuck started as the Cantor at Congregation Ohev Shalom in the fall of 1991, and he became the Cantor Emeritus in fall of 2022. His primary cantorial training was with Cantor Moshe Friedler, then of congregation Rodeph Shalom in Tampa. He attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he received a degree in Music Education with a minor in Jazz piano performance. After teaching public school music in Ohio, Cantor Robuck relocated to Orlando and worked as a performer at Walt Disney World for 12 years. He first appeared at COS as a member of the choir. He became a member of the Cantors Assembly, the world’s largest organization of professional cantors, in 2001.
In addition to leading services, his duties at COS included leading the adult choir, teaching in the Religious School, and preparing students for B’nai Mitzvah. He also lead the popular “Piano Shabbat” service once each month, a complete Friday night service with the Cantor at the piano.
Rabbi Emeritus Aaron D. Rubinger
Rabbi Aaron Rubinger grew up steeped in Conservative Judaism as the son of a rabbi, but didn’t envision following in his father’s path. After graduating from Brandeis University, he studied ancient history at UCLA, where he received an M.A., and then worked on his Ph.D. and taught at UC Berkeley. But he soon began to realize that he wanted to do much more with his life and have an even greater impact on others. He wanted, after all, to become a rabbi.
After graduating from the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Rubinger served for 8 years as rabbi of Temple Beth Abraham in Canton, MA. In 1990, Rabbi Rubinger felt it was time to take on a new challenge and became the rabbi of Congregation Ohev Shalom as Rabbi Rudolf Adler was transitioning to rabbi emeritus.
Under Rabbi Rubinger’s leadership, membership grew and congregants were inspired to learn more about Judaism and their heritage. To mark his transition to rabbi emeritus after 28 years of service, congregants honored his passionate commitment to Jewish adult education by inaugurating COS’s Rubinger Adult Learning Institute.
As rabbi emeritus of COS, Rabbi Rubinger continues to teach, including the Discover Judaism class he has taught for decades, which has resulted in more than 300 conversions. He also continues to research and write on contemporary European anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.
Past Clergy
Rabbi Murray Ezring
Rabbi: 2021- 2022
Rabbi David Kay
Rabbi: 2017 – 2021
Associate Rabbi: 2004 – 2017
Rabbi Emeritus Aaron D. Rubinger
Senior Rabbi: 2004 – 2017
Rabbi: 1990 - 2004
Rabbi Emeritus Rudolph J. Adler (z”l)
1960-1990
Rabbi Maurice Idell (z”l)
1955-1960
Rabbi Samuel Mallinger (z”l)
1952-1955
Cantor Herzig (z”l)
1951-1952
Rabbi Jerome Kestenbaum (z”l)
1949-1952
Rabbi Morris Skop (z”l)
1937-1949
Tue, September 10 2024 7 Elul 5784
