Rabbi Ian S. Jacknis
Rabbi Jacknis brought his love of Judaism and unique blend of warmth and spirituality to South Huntington Jewish Center in the summer of 1993, and quickly became known, both inside the synagogue and throughout the surrounding communities, as being welcoming, responsive, insightful and compassionate.  During his fourteen year tenure he has fostered a renewed feeling of unity and enthusiasm in the congregation, as well as a marked increase in membership.  Shabbat services, especially, are infused with his special spirit, and he has brought a variety of new initiatives to SHJC.  

Rabbi Jacknis is highly respected by his congregants and his peers.  He is the Immediate Past President of the Rabbinical Assembly of Nassau-Suffolk as well as the Immediate Past President of the Suffolk Council of Jewish Organizations.  The Rabbi also serves as the Jewish Chaplain to the Melville Fire Department. 

Rabbi Jacknis attended the undergraduate Joint Program of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and Columbia University, receiving two Bachelor Degrees in 1977.   He later attended the Seminary's Rabbinical School, taking classes at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, at Neve Schechter in Jerusalem and at the Seminary's main campus in Manhattan.  In May of 1983 he received both his Master's Degree and Rabbinic Ordination.

Upon ordination, Rabbi Jacknis assumed the pulpit of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he devotedly served the local Jewish (and non-Jewish) community.  In 1988 he returned to New York, desiring to be closer to his family and a larger Jewish community, and to grow professionally.  He became the Assistant Rabbi to Rabbi Joseph P. Sternstein at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights, his boyhood synagogue, where he maintains strong ties to this day.  Rabbi Jacknis credits Temple Beth Sholom and his involvement in the Conservative Movement's youth program, United Synagogue Youth, with his early and enduring interest in Judaism.

Next year, he and his wife Suri will celebrate twenty-five years of marriage, and we wish them mazal tov in advance!  In addition to serving as SHJC's Rebbitzen, Suri Jacknis is the Director of the Morasha Institute at the Suffolk Association for Jewish Educational services.  Together, they have three children, son Noam, a graduate of the University of Hartford in Connecticut, and daughters Yael, who attends Ithaca College, and Nava, who attends Walt Whitman High School.

• Contact: Rabbi Jacknis, 631-421-3224 x13, rabbi@shjc.org
  
  

Hazzan Brian Baruch Shamash came to South Huntington Jewish Center in the summer of 2004, and it was immediately evident that his passion for Jewish music would infuse our services with enthusiasm, vibrancy and beauty.  He's brought us a magnificent voice, a great knowledge of both Ashkenazic and Sephardic music, and the energy and desire to communicate his pride and love of Jewish music and prayer to the entire congregation, from the youngest pre-schoolers to our esteemed founding members.

Hazzan Shamash has unique and original ways of finding the voice in each of us.  By incorporating middle-eastern hand percussion instruments, guitar and sign language in the classroom, he helps our hallowed prayers come alive.  It is apparent that he strives to pray and serve us with both kavod and kavanah: honor, respect and intent.  He inspires us with beautiful music, and has quickly become an integral part of our lives. 

The Hazzan holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in music from the University of Maryland and the University of Miami respectively, where he was awarded full scholarships.  He is a member of the Cantors Assembly and the Jewish Ministers Cantors Association.

Prior to coming to South Huntington Jewish Center, the Hazzan served Temple Israel of Greater Miami and B'nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton, Florida. 

When he's not serving the congregation, Brian enjoys snowboarding, skateboarding and swimming in the ocean. He and his lovely wife Emily recently are parents of a beautiful baby girl.

• Contact: Cantor Shamash, 631-421-3224 x14, cantor@shjc.org