Rabbi Gaber
Rabbi Aaron Gaber is excited to be the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Brothers of Israel. Rabbi Gaber has shared his warmth, kindness and compassion with the members of Congregation Beth Judah in Ventnor, New Jersey, Adat Chaim in Reisterstown, Maryland and as a chaplain for the Army National Guard. He believes learning about our faith, serving our community and helping others will help us live full and satisfying lives in the modern world.
Rabbi Gaber grew up at Temple Beth Sholom in Manchester, Connecticut. He joined USY as a teen and throughout college served as an advisor and counselor for USY on Wheels. Before college, he went on the NATIV USY Year program and attended the Joint Program at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University, earning degrees in Jewish Philosophy and Sociology. Rabbi Gaber received his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
While in Ventnor, Rabbi Gaber served on the Boards of Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Service, the Board of Jewish Education, the Downbeach Clergy Ministerium, and was President of the South Jersey Board of Rabbis and Cantors. He is also an active member of the Mid-Atlantic Rabbinical Assembly. In 2010, Rabbi Gaber was awarded the Mid-Atlantic USCJ’s Ateret Kavod Award and received the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May County’s Harry Cassman Leadership Award in April 2014.
Rabbi Gaber welcomes people to CBOI of varied backgrounds, religious faiths and those seeking to understand more about their spirituality. You can contact Rabbi Gaber today at Rabbi.Gaber@cboi.org or call 215-579-2200 to arrange an appointment to meet with him at the synagogue, or Starbucks, or anywhere else.
Rabbi Emeritus Howard Hersch
Rabbi Howard Hersch served as the spiritual leader of our synagogue from 1960 to 2007. He is a scholar, teacher and esteemed member of several Rabbinical Boards. Rabbi Hersch is active in many humanitarian and civic organizations, and has been the recipient of numerous awards for leadership and for his dedication to advancing the causes of the State of Israel, of the Jewish people and of all people in need. He is a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Rabbi Hersch has provided us with decades of cherished memories and countless acts of friendship and caring. It seems as if he has a personal connection to each and every congregant. His welcoming spirit has created an atmosphere of warmth and inclusiveness that enables newcomers of all faiths and experiences to feel comfortable as soon as they walk through our doors.
As our Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbi Hersch generously makes his wisdom, humor and compassion available to congregants in need.
Cantor Robert Winter
Dr. Robert Winter has been our Cantorial Soloist since 2004. He grew up in the Bronx, the son of a Cantor. Dr. Winter graduated from Talmudical Academy High School, CCNY, and NYU College of Dentistry. Dr. Winter is a Vietnam Veteran, and practiced dentistry until his retirement in 2001. “Being a Hazzan is my true calling”, said the Cantor. “Singing liturgical music and davening makes me feel complete and happy”.
Before coming to CBOI, Dr. Winter was the high holiday cantor at Temple Beth Shalom of Manalapan, New Jersey. Cantor Winter served as head of the ritual committee at Beth Shalom, and tutored many eager learners of Hebrew, both B’nai Mitzvah students and ordinary members who wanted to learn Hebrew. He was a member of two Jewish choral groups, Kol Dodi of West Orange, NJ, and Makhelat Hamercaz of Highland Park, New Jersey.
Cantor Winter is married to Susan Winter, a professional artist and educator. They have two children, Danny and Lauren,and four grandchildren, Emily, Ben, Ethan, and Blake. Cantor and Mrs. Winter make their home in Allentown, New Jersey.
Cantor Winter’s message: “One of my favorite duties here at Brothers is working with our choir which sings at some of our holiday services and at our very special “Friday Night Live” events. Speaking of our choir, we are always looking for new singers. If you like to sing in the shower, we can certainly use your talent. You don’t have to read Hebrew or musical notes to join. Just love the music. We’ll teach you the rest! Please speak to me after services or call the office and leave a message. I will get back to you with the details. I look forward to seeing you and all your family at our very special and warm weekly and holiday services.”