Ira & Julia Levin
The Levins serve both as our spiritual leaders and cantorial duo for the High Holidays and most Shabbat services. They are also an award-winning folk music duo, well known for the blending of their voices, acoustic guitar, and piano. They have released numerous albums and perform regularly though out the New York Metropolitan Area. However, they are also well known in the Jewish music world. They have earned many awards for both their secular and spiritual music. They have performed for URJ gatherings, the International Jewish Music Festival and are the winners of the prestigious Shaleshale Award. In addition to becoming our cantorial duo, they work regularly for Cong. Beth-El of South Orange, NJ and East End Temple in Manhattan. This year they will lead High Holiday service at Agudas Achim. Our congregation is blessed to have musical leadership of this quality. Their music has enlivened and enriched our Shabbat services. Attendance has increased significantly since they have been with us. They will bring their joy for Judaism to us for the Holidays. To find out more about them and to hear their music go to http://www.thelevinsmusic.com
Rabbi Rebecca Shinder
Rabbi Shinder, daughter of Rabbi Fred Pomerantz, has joined the spiritual leadership team at Agudas Achim, servimg as our rabbinic consultant. More about Rabbi Rebecca coming soon. Her tenure extends the rabbinic presence of the Pomerantz family at Agudas Achim for another generation.
Rabbi Fredric Pomerantz
Rabbi Fredric Stanley Pomerantz, beloved husband, father, saba, brother, uncle, spiritual leader, teacher, and community pillar passed away on Monday, July 8, 2024 at the age of 84. Fred was born on November 29, 1939 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Harold and Marcia (Levy) Pomerantz. He was preceded in death by his son Jeremy Daniel and brother Richard. Fred’s family circle includes his wife Sandra; children: Joshua (Marta) Pomerantz and Rabbi Rebecca (Larry) Shinder; grandchildren: Jeremy Todd, Jacob, and Hannah; siblings: Deborah (Ken) and Sylvan (Honni); as well as a multitude of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Throughout his esteemed career, Rabbi Pomerantz served the congregants of Congregation Rodef Shalom in Pittsburgh, PA (1968-1973), Temple Beth El of Northern Valley, NJ (1973-2004), and Congregation Agudas Achim in Sullivan County, NY from 2004 until his death. Over the years, he touched countless lives with his inspiring sermons, compassionate counsel, friendship, and music.
Among his many innovations was the radical experimental jazz service, Sim Shalom. Combined with a multimedia sermon, a teen choir, and a professional band, Pomerantz utilized folk, rock, and jazz to reconnect Jews with their ancient liturgy. Recognized for his innovative contribution to the American Jewish experience, the Central Conference of American Rabbis invited him to join its Liturgy Committee which was tasked with editing and updating Reform High Holiday worship with the 1978 Gates of Repentance.
He lived a fascinating life surrounded by so many loved ones, and his legacy will remain in all of our hearts.
Donations in Rabbi Pomerantz’s memory may be made to Temple Beth Shalom, “Pomerantz Memorial Garden,” at the following link:
Our Rabbi Fred
During the summer of 2004, Livingston Manor’s Congregation Agudas Achim was blessed to hire nationally renowned and respected Rabbi Pomerantz. His innovative services are characterized by his warm personality and love of music. He leads prayer with a manner encouraging spirituality; he keeps his congregation in the song beat with a drum.
For Agudas Achim, Rabbi Pomerantz has officiated over b’nai mitzvoth as well as funerals. He’s encouraged innovative musical participation, with youngsters, teenagers, and adults as instrumentalists and song leaders. The congregation is blossoming under his spiritual leadership as he continues to help adults and youth members develop a greater awareness and appreciation of their Jewish heritage.
In Rabbi Pomerantz’s leadership, he guides Agudas Achim and fulfills many other roles. In his own words, “The Rabbi of the congregation is the teacher, the friend, the guide, the enabler, who helps his/her people forge the link with the Timeless and the Timely, that they may know the holy at ordinary moments as well as at sanctified times….The Rabbi of the congregation is the pilot who, through spiritual gyroscopes, keeps us connected to the past yet moving into our personal future, our congregation’s future, and the Jewish future.”