- (718) 634-0301
Rabbi Rebecca Epstein is passionate about creating a compelling Jewish community that is deeply engaged in Torah, Jewish tradition, caring for one another, and promoting justice in the world. An avid yogi, dancer, storyteller, and cook, Rabbi Epstein believes in creating an embodied and holistic Jewish practice that nourishes our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.
She has been proudly serving West End Temple since 2021. Previously, she served as Associate Rabbi and Educator at Congregation Beth Elohim of Brooklyn, Congregation Beth Israel of Austin, Texas, and Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple of New Brunswick, New Jersey. She was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2009, where she received awards in Jewish philosophy, ecology, and general excellence. During her time at HUC-JIR, she served as the Student Rabbi of Chavurat Tikvah. She earned her B.A. from Vassar College, where she studied Cognitive Science and Art History.
Rabbi Epstein is a past Vice President of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, and currently serves on the Worship and Practice Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Rabbi Epstein resides in Brooklyn with her dear husband Barak, and their three girls.
Rabbi Marjorie Slome retired from West End Temple in June 2020, after serving the synagogue for 15 1/2 years.
She was ordained in 1987 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York City. In the 29 years since her ordination, Rabbi Slome has served as interim Rabbi at Pittsburgh’s Temple Sinai, Rabbi/Educator at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, and has directed numerous programs for the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services in New York City. In addition, she has worked for the Union for Reform Judaism and the Jewish Campus Activities Board in Philadelphia.
Rabbi Slome has also served as co-chairperson of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, President of the Brooklyn Association of Reform Rabbis, and Chairperson of the Women’s Rabbinic Alliance while at HUC-JIR.
She holds a Master in Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning, and a BA from the University of Cincinnati.
Rabbi Slome is married to Kenneth S. Stern, an attorney, author, and directs a small family foundation. They live in Brooklyn and have two adult children, Emily and Daniel.
Student Cantor Rachael Geier
As a cantorial student at the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College, Rachael is thrilled to have the opportunity to join the West End Temple family as Student Cantor!
Rachael was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana, home of Purdue University and a very robust music scene. From her first days in Kindermusik, Rachael has had a lifelong passion for music, and during her time in Lafayette, was an active participant in choirs and bands through her school and within the local community and still joins them for concerts whenever she is able to visit home.
Rachael graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology, and worked in the administration of a Lafayette law firm for nearly a decade. Post-COVID, Rachael decided it was time for a career change, and started fully embracing her true passion for music. What started as freelance musical support and cantorial soloing for local religious organizations (including Purdue Hillel and Temple Israel of West Lafayette, IN, her home synagogue) became a calling to the Cantorate, as she discovered a deep and abiding love for Judaism and Jewish music. Less than two years later, she was accepted into the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
In addition to her studies at HUC-JIR, Rachael is serving her second year as Festival Intern for Zamir Choral Foundation’s North American Jewish Choral Festival (NAJCF), and also sings as a member of Zamir Chorale of New York. Previously, Rachael has served as High Holy Day Cantorial Soloist for Congregation Or Ami in Richmond, VA, Guest Student Cantor at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation in Indianapolis, IN, and as Student Cantor for Temple Beth Jacob in Newburgh, NY.
Rachael takes great pride and joy in her work as Student Cantor. She has a passion not just for sharing her love of music, but involving others in being a part of the music, and enjoys finding moments to include other singers and instrumentalists to truly make Shabbat a beautiful time of prayer and celebration.
When she isn’t listening to the latest releases in Jewish liturgical music, Rachael has a very eclectic playlist she maintains on Spotify, covering a broad range that includes among many other artists Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The Bee Gees, Foo Fighters, video game soundtracks, John Rutter, and Mozart.
In her spare time, Rachael enjoys sightseeing around NYC, reading, writing, Dungeons & Dragons, and playing World of Warcraft with her wife, (also) Rachel, who is also on this clergy formation journey as a rabbinical student at HUC.
147-02 Newport Avenue
Rockaway Park, NY 11694
(718) 634-0301
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