Temple Sinai hires two educators

The Island Now

Temple Sinai of Roslyn announced the hiring of two new educators who recently joined the Temple Sinai family: Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz who will serve as the temple’s new religious school director and music specialist and assistant youth director Jake Kraus.  

Cantor-educator Elena Schwartz was born in the Ukraine, grew up in the former Soviet Union and came to the United States by way of Israel. In 1990 she had made aliyah to Israel.  It was there that she earned a bachelor’s degree in music and education at the Rubin Academy of Music & Dance in Jerusalem. She earned a master’s degree in Jewish education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2002. 

She also received her cantorial training and obtained a second master’s degree by graduating from the School of Sacred Music and was invested as a cantor in 2006.

Schwartz comes to Sinai with over 13 years of experience in reform Jewish education. Previously she served as assistant cantor at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield, N.J., and as the cantor and director of Torah School for Monroe Temple Beth-El in Monroe, New York. She was responsible for a number of innovations, including the implementation of the new B’nai Mitzvah program, Chai Curriculum, Mini Miniyan-weekly worship experience for families with young children,  Monroe Temple Adult and Youth Choirs, monthly services with the volunteer Hallelu Band, annual art shows and cantorial concerts.

Schwartz is a member of the American Conference of Cantors, National Association of Temple Educators, and Cantors Assembly. She is married to Cantor Sergei Schwartz, who has been the cantor for Temple Sinai of Roslyn since July of 2012. They have two children, Ziv and Lior. 

“I am delighted to be joining Temple Sinai as religious school director and thrilled to become a member of such a wonderful team,” says Elena Schwartz.  “The Rabbis teach that ‘the world itself rests on the breath of children learning’ (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 119b). The wonder that children bring to experiencing everything new has continually inspired me through the years to create a Jewish learning environment that is meaningful, exiting, and allows for the diversity of each child to shine through.  It is this inspiration that I hope to bring to Temple Sinai as we create new programs in the religious school that meet the changing needs of our families.”

Joining Elena Schwartz is Temple Sinai’s new music specialist and assistant youth director, Jake Kraus. Jake has served as head song leader at URJ Camp Eisner and Camp Kutz. Jake will teach music in Temple Sinai’s religious school, develop a teen a cappella group, and assist the Temple’s director of youth engagement, Alison Stamm, in leading Sinai’s outstanding, dynamic teen community.

“Both Cantor Schwartz and Jake Kraus are wonderful additions to the Temple Sinai community,” says Temple Sinai Senior Rabbi Michael White.  “We are excited to introduce Elena and Jake to our religious school families, and I, as well as the other members of the clergy, look forward to working with them in creating an even more exciting and positive learning experience for our children.”

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