Rabbi Scott B. Weiner became rabbi of the Hebrew Tabernacle Congregation in August of 2004.  He enjoys being the rabbi of a congregation as diverse, storied and unique as the 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 the 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, pro-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 past member of the board of trustees and current member of the 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 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 five marathons and a dozen half-marathons including three New York City Marathons and is looking forward to more challenges 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 (NFTY) 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 nearly five years ago, Rabbi Weiner has relished the opportunity to lead HT as it enters new phases of communal life.  Having helped the congregation celebrate its centennial, Rabbi Weiner has helped to develop new programming for the next generation such as a Hebrew High School, a successful Tot Shabbat & Sharing Shabbat program, retreats, events and other activities.

 

The Rabbi and his wife Limor live in his native state of New Jersey where they live with their daughter Jordan and their 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.