JCV Clergy & Leadership
WELCOME OUR INTERIM RABBI
Please join us in welcoming Rabbi Jennifer Singer, as we search for a new rabbi. Rabbi Jennifer is joining us for two Shabbat Services a month.
Rabbi Jennifer Singer is Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Kol HaNeshama in Sarasota, Florida. She served the congregation from 2008 to her retirement at the end of 2022.
In semi-retirement she is concentrating on writing as SRQJew, serving as a Community Rabbi, and leading the Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva as Dean.
Rabbi Jennifer is a vibrant and passionate service leader, teacher, storyteller, writer, and spiritual guide.
She has lived in Sarasota since 1998 and previously worked as a major gifts fundraiser for the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and the Technion in Haifa, Israel.
She was ordained as both a Rabbi and Spiritual Director by ALEPH: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal in January 2017, and earned an MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2006. She also holds a BA in journalism.
She has two adult daughters and currently shares her home with senior rescue dogs named Houdini and Zimra.
Her favorite things are chocolate, Judaism, dogs, antique rocking chairs, and her kids. Not necessarily in that order.
Rabbi Jennifer Singer
Rabbi Emerita, Kol HaNeshama
Dean, Liberal Yeshiva
CANTOR MARCI VITKUS
Marci Vitkus has served the JCV since October 5, 2001. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs and moved to Sarasota in 1993. Coming from a career in Early Childhood Education background, cantorial singing was not in her life plan. But nonetheless, this job was presented to her at just the right time and a shidduch (match) was made. It is here in Sarasota that her husband, Andy, and she brought up their two children, Max and Sadie.
It is also here where she discovered she was from a long line of cantors. She knew of her father’s role as hazzan and choir director. She knew of her grandfather, Hyman Reznick, a pillar of the Chicago Jewish community. But she soon learned her cantorial lineage goes back possibly 17 generations. One of the things she hopes to do when she finds some spare time is to investigate a long line of shochets (ritual slaughterers) and shalliach tzibburim (prayer leaders) also in her lineage. For now, she loves being a part of the family life cycle events that occur in a synagogue: births, namings, anniversaries, b’nai mitzvahs. They all bring joy. Even being there for a family in their most difficult hours is a gift she treasures in the circle of life.
By far the best part of her job is leading the congregation in song. They smile, they sway, they feel the same deep connection to their heritage as she does. Music is a balm to the soul.
In October 2021, we celebrate 20 years with Cantor Marci!
Leadership
| BOARD OF DIRECTORS | ||
| President | President@thejcv.org | Eli Rapaport |
| 1st Vice President | 1stvp@thejcv.org | Larry Levine |
| 2nd Vice President | 2ndvp@thejcv.org | Lou Jefko |
| Secretary | Secretary@thejcv.org | Ferris Rinko |
| Treasurer | Treasurer@thejcv.org | Victor Haran |
| Immediate Past President | Pastpresident@thejcv.org | Harvey Cohen |
| Parliamentarian | Annette Blum | |
| Member at Large | Marla Lien | |
| Member at Large | open | |
| Adult Learning | Adultlearning@thejcv.org | Keith Usiskin |
| Building and Grounds | Building@thejcv.org | Jeff Weisenberg |
| Membership | Membership@thejcv.org | Deborah Rosen |
| Ritual | Ritual@thejcv.org | Susan Litwer |
| Ways and Means | WaysandMeans@thejcv.org | Judy Rapaport |
| Sisterhood | Sisterhood@thejcv.org | Debbie Jefko |
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