Clergy

David A. Schuck

Rabbi
(914) 235-2700, Ext. 230
dschuck@bethelnr.org
He/Him/His

Rabbi Schuck was installed as Beth El’s spiritual leader in 2015 after serving as Rabbi at Pelham Jewish Center for eleven years. He is an adjunct lecturer in the Professional and Pastoral Skills Department of the Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary, as well as a Shalom Hartman Institute Senior Rabbinic Fellow. Rabbi Schuck was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2004 where he was awarded the Lillian M. Lowenfeld Prize in Practical Theology and the Israel H. Levinthal Prize in Homiletics. Rabbi Schuck grew up in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Middle East History from Rutgers University.

Despite the obvious challenge, he is a loyal Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan. He did not consider the rabbinate until it was abundantly clear that he had no future in baseball. When he is not teaching or talking Torah, you can find him watching baseball, baking, or planning a camping trip but staying in a nice hotel instead.

Zachary Sitkin

Rabbi
(914) 235-2700, Ext. 338
zsitkin@bethelnr.org
He/Him/His

Rabbi Zachary Sitkin joined the Beth El clergy team in 2016 after serving as Rabbi at Congregation Eitz Chaim in Monroe, New York for two years. Rabbi Sitkin was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2016 where he received a Master’s degree in Talmud and was awarded the The United Synagogue Award for Congregational Service. Throughout his time at the Seminary, Rabbi Sitkin served as the rabbinic intern at the Pelham Jewish Center and as the Robert Kraft Rabbinic Fellow at the Columbia/Barnard Hillel.

Rabbi Sitkin grew up in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and has dual Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. When not learning Torah, you can almost always find Rabbi Sitkin shooting hoops on the basketball court, singing countless Jewish melodies, or watching his beloved Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Steelers. Rabbi Sitkin, his wife Lisa, and their two sons Avi and Noam are grateful to be part of the Beth El and New Rochelle communities.

Gaby Schvartz

Cantor
(914) 235-2700, Ext. 326
gschvartz@bethelnr.org
She/Her/Hers

Cantor Gabriela (Gaby) Schvartz joined the Beth El clergy team as a Cantorial Intern in February 2020 and became a full time member of the clergy in 2021. Cantor Gaby has served as shlichat tzibur in Conservative synagogues in Argentina, Chile, and Israel. She participated in Buenos Aires’ interfaith program, Bridge Builders, engaging in dialogue with Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Cantor Gaby is a member of United Religions Initiative, a global grassroots network that bridges religious and cultural differences by having diverse individuals work together for the good of their communities and the world. Cantor Gaby has taught music to youngsters in Buenos Aires Jewish schools, has performed Argentinian, Jewish, and Israeli music in concert, and was honored to spend a year singing with Jerusalem-based Nava Tehila, an organization dedicated to Jewish renewal via the creation of engaging, musical prayer spaces that invite people to come as they are.

Cantor Gaby was born and raised in Buenos Aires. In December 2019 she graduated from the Chazanim Bet Asaf Institute of Jewish Music and Training at the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary/Marshall T. Meyer. She also studied music at the Avellaneda School of Popular Music in Buenos Aires. Her voice teachers have included Carmela Giuliano, Susana Naidich, Nora Faiman, and Ana Carfi.

Cantor Gaby is eager to both learn and develop spiritual practices at Beth El and to share Argentinian music and culture with the community. In addition to her love of Jewish song, Cantor Gaby enjoys watching European movies, discovering new Israeli music, and relaxing on the beach.

Our Clergy Emeritus

Rabbi Melvin N. Sirner

Hazzan Farid Dardashti

Cantor Uri Aqua