About EMJC - East Midwood Jewish Center

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Meet EMJC's StAFF

Rabbi Cantor Sam Levine

Rabbi Cantor Sam Levine has been EMJC’s Cantor since 2004. He was born in Jerusalem, raised in Toronto, Canada, and spent a decade in California’s Monterey Bay area before moving to New York. He graduated from H.L. Miller Cantorial School and the Seminary College of Jewish Music at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. His musical interests are diverse: he is an aficionado of traditional Jewish liturgical music, plays in a Ladino ensemble, and has played in various folk-rock-country groups. He directs EMJC’s Chorus, composes and arranges music for the synagogue, and writes and records original songs. Rabbi Cantor Levine lives in Brooklyn.

Rabbi Emeritus Dr. Alvin Kass

Rabbi Emeritus Dr. Alvin Kass was the spiritual leader of EMJC for 36 years until his retirement in 2014. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in History from Columbia University, and a B.H.L. and M.H.L. from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he also received rabbinical training. He earned a Ph.D in History and Philosophical Foundations of Education from New York University. Besides graduating Summa Cum Laude and being the Class Salutatorian of his undergraduate class at Columbia, he was also a Quackenbush Foundation Scholar and a Harry J. Carman and National Woodrow Wilson Fellow. Rabbi Kass was appointed to the New York City Police Department in 1966, making him the most tenured chaplain in the NYPD. In 2002 he was promoted to Chief Chaplain. He teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and lectures at Temple Emanuel’s Skirball Center. He is the author of Politics in New York State, 1800-1830 (Syracuse University Press, 1965).

Wayne Rosenfeld

Executive Director Wayne Rosenfeld has over 25 years of nonprofit experience. He was a Board of Director at the JCC of Staten Island and a Board Member at NYC’s Community Board 3, Staten Island. He has over 3 decades of business experience managing various companies at the senior level. He came to EMJC in 2018 and has worked with the board, staff and community to ensure EMJC remains the shining beacon that it has been for over 100 years. Wayne graduated from Monmouth University in 1987 with a BS in Marketing & a minor in communications. He recently completed the UJA/Columbia University Executive Leadership program. Wayne lives in Staten Island with his wife Lisa, and adult daughters Hayley & Sydnie.

Audrey Korelstein

Director of Education & Engagement Audrey Korelstein is a specialist in Jewish education and creates childhood and family programming in New York. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University, magna cum laude, and a Master of Arts from The City University of New York, Hunter College (Anthropology and Archaeology). She was a Lipsey Scholar, a scholarship recipient from the Jewish Foundation for Education of Women, and she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Moran Ben Shaul Lantner

Moran Ben Shaul Lantner serves as the Associate Youth Director at EMJC, where she has been a dedicated educator and member for over twenty years. Born in Israel, Moran brings a deep, multi-faceted background to her role, which includes an art degree from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem and current pursuit of a Master’s in Jewish Education at Hebrew Union College. Her professional experience spans numerous Jewish communities, where she has taught and worked with different ages, teaching the Hebrew language (including ulpan-style instruction for adults) and serving as a teen advisor, helping young people connect with their purpose. Complementing her educational work, Moran is a certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor, having trained in Israel and New York and studied with Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar in India, bringing two decades of wellness expertise to her community engagement.

Sat, October 25 2025
3 Cheshvan 5786