Our Clergy

Rabbi Gary A. Glickstein 
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Rabbi Glickstein has been the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Sholom since 1985. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1971. Rabbi Glickstein went on to Cincinnati, Ohio to the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and received his Rabbinical Ordination in 1974.

Rabbi Glickstein has served as Assistant Rabbi in Congregation Bene Israel/Rockdale in Cincinnati from 1974-77 and then became Rabbi of Temple Sinai in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1977-85. 

In 1985, Rabbi Glickstein came to Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach as a vibrant, young scholar to serve as Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Glickstein's vitality and youthful approach have attracted many new members over the years as he has encouraged a greater involvement of the Temple’s membership in synagogue and Jewish life.

Rabbi Glickstein has distinguished himself as one of the leaders of the Miami community.  He is the Founding Executive Director of the Woldenberg Center for Jewish Life and serves on the advisory boards of the Lehrman Community Day School and the Greater Miami Coalition for a Drug Free Community.  He is a Board Member and Finance Committee member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. He serves as a Board Member for the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies, is a Board Member and Advisory Board Member for the Golden Care Foundation and is Past President of the Greater Miami Chapter Board of American Friends of the Hebrew University.  Rabbi Glickstein was also Past President of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami.

Nationally, Rabbi Glickstein has distinguished himself as past Chairman, Executive Committee of the UJA National Rabbinic Cabinet, past Chairman and President of the National Rabbinic Cabinet of Israel Bonds and the Treasurer of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He is also a Board Member of the American Friends of ALYN Hospital. 

Rabbi Glickstein’s commitment to the cross-cultural community in Miami is evidenced by his position as Past Chairman of the Religious Leaders Coalition and membership on the Executive Committee and Past Chair of the Education Committee for the Miami Coalition for a Drug Free Community.  He was also a past Board Member for the Miami Human Rights Commission and the Past Chairman of the Judaic Studies Advisory Committee to the President of Barry University. 
 

Rabbi Robert A. Davis, D.Min. 
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Rabbi Davis has been immersed in the Jewish Community his entire life including: attending Jewish summer camp; active involvement in youth group; and traveling and living in Israel. Before seeking rabbinic ordination, Rabbi Davis worked in retail management, fell in love with Natalie and got married, directed the Maurice B. Shwayder Camp of Congregation Emanuel of Denver, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Management and Camp Administration at Loretto Heights College in Denver.

Inspired by his many years in Jewish camping, Rabbi Davis began his rabbinic studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1987. As a student, he served congregations in Sacramento, California; Merced, California; and Everett, Washington. He earned his Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters degree in 1990 and received his rabbinic ordination in 1992. The title of his rabbinic thesis is Addiction and the Torah.

Following ordination Rabbi Davis returned to Denver to serve Congregation Emanuel as Rabbi and Director of Camping and Youth Programs. After completing his twenty-fifth summer at camp, Rabbi Davis decided to change the focus of his rabbinate and came to Temple Beth Sholom in January of 1995. He is involved in all aspects of synagogue life and the Jewish community. Rabbi Davis deeply loves his temple community. He has created and implemented myraid programs; multi-tasked as both rabbi and executive director; and continues to help congregants in their personal growth and spiritual journeys. Rabbi Davis completed his doctoral studies at the Florida Center for Theological Studies. His dissertation, Beyond the Erroneous Assumption, explores the nature of the soul from a Jewish perspective and the role of the rabbi in healing the soul.

Rabbi Davis has served as the vice-president of the Rocky Mountain Rabbinic Association, as president of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami, and is a founding board member of Kavod, an international tzedakah collective. Rabbi Davis eclectic interests include: jewelry design, architecture, carpentry, stonework, graphic arts, basketball, and hiking. He loves to spend time with Natalie and their two wonderful children, Joshua and Naomi.
 

Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz
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Born in Miami, Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz grew up as a member of Temple Beth Am in Kendall. She spent nine summers as a camper and then counselor at the URJ Camp Coleman in Georgia. She also participated in the High School in Israel Program in 1978.

As a high school senior, Gayle served as a Congressional Page in Washington for six months before attending Brandeis University in Massachusetts.Gayle spent her junior year studying at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It was there that she met her future husband, Adam Snitzer. She earned her BA degree in Near Eastern & Judaic Studies (magna cum laude) in 1983. "I had actually applied to law school and deferred my admission," she explains, "when I returned to Israel to do volunteer work." After attending a rabbinical class with a friend, she "knew immediately" that she wanted to become a rabbi. "I have never looked back," she says.

Gayle earned her Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters in 1987 and her Rabbinic Ordination from New York's Hebrew Union College in 1989. She spent the next three years as Assistant Rabbi of Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, California, where she revitalized the prestigious synagogue's youth programs and founded and coordinated a Women's Study Group, Singles for Tzedakah and a Conversion Support Group. Rabbi Pomerantz returned to South Florida in 1992 to become Assistant Director of the Southeast Council of Union for Reform Judaism (URJ).

In 1994, she was named Program Director for Temple Beth Sholom. During her tenure, Rabbi Pomerantz has coordinated numerous programs, including Family Education, Mitzvah Day, Volunteer and Chavurah groups, Women's B'not Mitzvah, Rosh Chodesh and Women's Passover Seders. In 1998/99, Rabbi Pomerantz became the first woman to be named President of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami.

Professionally, Rabbi Pomerantz is most proud of her Adult B'not Mitzvah classes and of Temple Beth Sholom's Mitzvah Day, because the programs exemplify her ultimate goal of helping to bring Jews closer to Torah. Empowering Jews to do Jewish things and to live Jewishly, she explains, "leads to tikkun olam - to repairing the world." Personally, Gayle's most important accomplishment is being a mother. She and Adam are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters, Hannah, 13, Danielle, 9, and Noa, 4. "My greatest challenge is to balance and integrate being a rabbi and a mom," she says. By the looks of things, Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz is doing a wonderful job.
 

Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
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Rabbi Morrison’s depth of experience extends well beyond her years. Growing up in East Lansing, Michigan, she began her Jewish education with her participation in youth choirs, junior congregation, and by serving as an active member in both her local and regional youth groups. In 2000, Morrison received her B.A. from the University of Michigan with an honors degree in Sociology and Spanish. Immediately following, Morrison moved to Miami, Florida, to work as Program Director at Temple Judea, where she served for three years. She returned to school in 2006 and received a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion as well as her Clinical Pastoral Education accreditation from the Emory Center for Pastoral Services. During Rabbinical school, Rabbi Morrison served at Beth Shir Shalom, Santa Monica, CA, Congregation Aitz Chaim, Great Falls, MT, Bet Harim, Kalispell, MT, and the San Francisco Home for the Aged in CA. Rabbi Morrison was a recipient of the Abarbanel Scholarship for her tireless work with the San Francisco elderly Jewish community. In 2008, Rabbi Morrison received Rabbinic Ordination and was honored by the US Air force for her work with the staff and airmen at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

As an involved camp participant and leader, Rabbi Morrison is extremely passionate about the importance of Jewish summer camping and the role it plays in creating strong Jewish identities for youth. She spent seven summers at Camp Coleman in Cleveland, Georgia, four summers at KUTZ Leadership Academy and, this past summer, served as Rabbi at Camp Mt. Chai in California. Along with her most recent title of Rabbi, Morrison has additionally served in the capacity of Director of Jewish Programming, multi-unit Jewish Educator, Camp Assistant Director as well as creating and facilitating the inaugural year of the Mumchim Specialist Training program at Camp Coleman. A highlight of her camping experience has been leading and teaching creative and innovative camp-style worship for over 15 terrific summers. She looks forward to cultivating the ruach and energy created at summer camp, and bringing it back to Miami Beach.

As an accomplished musician, Rabbi Morrison is a recording artist and an award winning songwriter featuring Jewish modern and folk music with guitar accompaniment. In June 2008, she began serving as the Reform Rabbi at the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, NC. Her position included living on campus as a house parent for 18 high school freshman girls, teaching Judaic studies courses ranging from liturgy to synagogue skills, as well as performing the Rabbinic religious duties for the daily and weekly worship services. Rabbi Morrison was an active member at Congregation Temple Emanuel in Greensboro as well as The Hillel Jewish Student Organization on the campus of University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She has served on many local panels including those highlighting Judaism and sexual orientation and the unique role of women as religious leaders.

Rabbi Morrison additionally finds considerable value in participating in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, for and with people of all faiths. She emphasizes the importance of giving not only a person’s time but his or her complete heart as well. Her mission trips with teens have included building houses in post-Katrina New Orleans, forest revitalization in Northern Georgia, post 9/11 counseling in Upstate New York, and Human Rights advocacy and training in rural North Carolina. She is excited to continue reaching out to the teens and young families of Temple Beth Sholom.

Cantor Steven Haas 
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Cantor Steven Haas began his tenure at Temple Beth Sholom in 1989. After serving as the cantor at Temple Beth El V’Shalom in Charlotte, North Carolina Steven Haas returned to his roots in Miami Beach where he attended religious school from age 6, celebrated Bar Mitzvah and sang in the children’s choir under the direction of Cantor David Conviser. During his international operatic he performed the High Holy Days in Europe and Australia until his return to the United States.

Cantor Haas has musically led the congregation of Temple Beth Sholom by creating a variety of musical experiences which has enhanced the worship experience over the years. From traditional nusach to the accompaniment of live musicians and special themes Cantor Haas has continually tried to balance the familiar with the new. The Sephardic Servcie, Contemporary Service, Shabbat Yeladim to Shabbanukah and Shiru Shabbat and many more have tried to push the boundaries of the worship experience.

Concerts too numerous to mention have also played an important part in the role that Cantor Haas has played over these many years. A Tribute to Richard Tucker, The Jews of Tin Pan Alley, The Soul of Sepharad, Croon Over Miami, Klezmer Concerts, Oy Vegas and The Florida Philharmonic have graced the bimah. With over 20 specially written Purim Shpiels to his credit and the chanting of the Traditional Megillah Purim has been a favorite for the Cantor and the congregation.

Creating, planning and leading congregational trips to Israel has been a passion for Cantor Haas. He has led over 28 such trips and has participated in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Trips to Israel. He has also participated in Community Events when ever called upon to do so.

Cantor Steven Haas has been very active in the educational programs of Temple Beth Sholom from the Foundation School to Adult Education and has even served as Director of the Alternative Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program and The Interim B’nai Mitzvah Program.

Cantor Haas has served the congregation in all life cycle events and will soon embark on a new portfolio of outreach to empty nesters and seniors.

More about Cantor Haas...
 

Cantor Lisa Segal is very honored and proud to join the Temple Beth Sholom clergy team. Along with her colleague, Cantor Haas, Cantor Segal looks forward to adding her special musical touch to the culture of Temple Beth Sholom. Her primary focus will be as the B’nai Mitzvah Director upholding the high standards of quality B’nai Mitzvah education set forth by her predecessors, Morah Shula Ben-David and Cantor Haas. She will also have a strong presence in all areas of congregational life, including worship services, life cycle events, Religious School and Early Childhood. Cantor Segal is also a certified “PREPARE/ENRICH” pre-marital counselor.

Prior to coming to Temple Beth Sholom, Cantor Segal served at Temple Beth Am, in Pinecrest for 24 years, where she was known for her personalized life cycle ceremonies, innovative alternative worship experiences, and her role as an educator in the B’nai Mitzvah Program, Day School, Religious School and Preschool. She has a passion to empower others to lead services, sing and play instruments, and chant from our sacred scriptures. Prior to becoming a Cantor, she served as a Cantorial Soloist for many congregations including Bet Breira, Temple Dor Dorim, Temple Beth El, Temple Judea and Temple Beth Am. She taught music for one year at Lehrman Day School and 18 years at Temple Beth Am Day School. Her prior career was in retail where she was employed by Jordan Marsh, Florida for six years as a Corporate Trainer and Systems Coordinator.

Cantor Segal is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. In 2001, she entered the Cantorial Certification program of the American Conference of Cantors and Hebrew Union College/School of Sacred Music (HUC/SSM) in 2001 and was certified in 2007. She serves on the national Executive Board of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC). She is also a member of the Cantor’s Assembly. Cantor Segal is a member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Cantorial Cabinet, and is a trained teen facilitator and volunteer for the Children’s Bereavement Center (CBC). In March of 2010, she was honored by the CBC. She also volunteers for Casa Valentina, a living facility for women and men who age out of the foster care system.

As a former camp and youth group song leader, Cantor Segal is extremely passionate about youth and summer camping. She is a member of the URJ Camp Coleman Committee, on its Clergy Advisory Board and loves to spend summers on faculty at Coleman. She also serves on the Executive Board of Directors of Hillel at the University of Florida. She is involved with the Reform presence at Hillel by assisting with the High Holy Day services and leading Shabbat services yearly on the UF campus.

Cantor Segal is a member of “The Garage Band,” a Miami area classic oldies rock n’ roll band which performs at benefits for local charities. An accomplished vocalist and guitarist, she frequently teaches and performs and has arranged and accompanied many Jewish artists on their CD projects. She has composed some liturgical settings which have been recorded and has led services at URJ biennials and Cantor conventions.

Cantor Segal was born in Detroit, Michigan and, at age 13, moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. Cantor Segal and her family share a fondness for the Florida Gators (all four of them attended UF). She has lived in the Miami area since 1981 with her husband, Jimmy, a native “Miamian”, and their two children, Danny and Andrea.  Danny is a recent graduate of the University of Florida and Andrea is in her junior year.