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Rabbi Hyim Shafner | |
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Rabbi Shafner has been at Bais Abraham
Congregation since July, 2004. He has Smicha (rabbinical
ordination), a Masters degree in Social Work (MSW), and an
MA in Jewish philosophy, all from Yeshiva University in New
York City.
Before becoming our rabbi, Rabbi Shafner was the Campus
Rabbi of the Hillel at Washington University in St. Louis
for 8 years. Under his religious guidance Hillel and
Washington University's diverse Jewish life experienced
great growth, from an expanded kosher food program, to
deeper Jewish spiritual knowledge and a new growing Orthodox
minyan.
Rabbi Shafner considers himself blessed to have spent
much time with Bais Abe's former rabbi,
Rabbi Magence, over the past few
years, learning from him and from his unique ability to
speak to all Jews and help them to grow spiritually. Bais
Abraham is excited about having a vibrant rabbi who can
follow in Rabbi Magence's footsteps of deep Jewish learning
combined with openness to all people and love for all Jews.
Before coming to St. Louis, Rabbi Shafner was the
community Rabbi of Bombay, India, where he and his wife,
Sara Winkelman, spent a year working with the Jews of India.
They have three small children, Benny, Yonah, and Hava.
See the 2004 article about Rabbi Shafner in the
Jewish Light
See the 2005 article in the St. Louis Jewish Light's article
about the
Meditation Hike
led by Rabbi Shafner.
View Rabbi Shafner's profile by the Rabbinical Council of America
"The Everything Jewish Wedding Book:
Mazel tov! From the chuppah to the hora,
all you need for your big day" - written by Rabbi Shafner
can be ordered from Amazon by clicking
here.
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Noah Leavitt
Rabbinic Intern
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Born and raised in New York City, Noah graduated from Columbia University with a BA in history and recently completed an MA in Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva University. He has also studied in Israel at Yeshivat Darche Noam/Shapell's and Yeshivat Torat Yosef Hamivtar. Noah is currently a fourth year student at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School.
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Alayne Yates
Administrative Assistant
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Alayne is the friendly voice of the Bais Abraham office. She manages the computer, accounts payable and receivable, daily communication, assists rabbi shafner with shul administration, and so much more. Her friendliness and welcoming attitude are appreciated by all!
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Boaz and Yael Shachak
Israeli Torah MiTzion Sheluchim
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Yael and Boaz Schachak and their five children live on the Bais Abraham grounds helping to educate its community in Torah, Zionism and Jewish spirit. They teach in Bais Abraham's new Shelanu Hebrew School, oversee the children's shabbat groups, teach adults, host congregants for shabbat meals, and so much more.
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Rabbi Abraham Magence
z'l (1920-2003) was the Rabbi of Bais Abraham Congregation from 1975 until his death. He was legendary for his warmth,
devotion to Yiddishkeit, and genuine love for all Jews
regardless of affiliation.
Rabbi Magence was born in Poland, where his father and
grandfather were rabbis. He studied with many of the
luminaries of the pre-war yeshiva world of Eastern Europe.
Rabbi Magence spent the war years as a fugitive from Nazi
and Soviet persecution and most of his family was killed in
the Holocaust. He came to St. Louis in 1950 and began a
career as a mohel, teacher, and rabbi that touched literally
thousands of lives.
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