Rabbi Todd Chizner
Rabbi Todd Chizner serves as the spiritual leader of Temple Judea. His rabbinate is defined by his love of learning and teaching, his focus on creating a warm and welcoming environment, and his pursuit of fostering a strong sense of spirituality for himself and those around him.
It is for these reasons that our Friday Shabbat services are a centerpiece in our weekly calendar. Rabbi Chizner, along with Cantor Jacobson, brings genuine passion for Judaism to those who attend and participate at each service.
Rabbi Chizner is also an integral part of the education program. He works with each of our Bar/Bat Mitzvah students individually. He teaches our Hebrew High classes and creates meaningful connections with all the students.
In addition, Rabbi Chizner teaches two weekly adult classes – Torah Study on Wednesday mornings and a Prayer Class on Wednesday evenings.
Rabbi Chizner is a board member in the New York Board of Rabbis. He is a member of the Manhasset Clergy Association. He is also a supporter of AIPAC.
Rabbi Chizner earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he majored in Psychology. He received a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles. As a rabbinic student, he studied in Jerusalem, Los Angeles and New York, and received prizes for his work in Jewish History. Rabbi Chizner was ordained at HUC-JIR New York in 1999.
Rabbi Chizner was born and raised on Long Island, and is married to Lauren who is a graduate of the Rhea Hirsch School of Education. They are the proud parents of Jacob, Jed and Rachel.
Shalom U’Veracha – Peace and Blessing
Rabbi Chizner can be reached at rabbichizner@temple-judea.com.
Cantor Deborah Jacobson
Cantor Deborah Jacobson serves as the part-time cantor at Temple Judea of Manhasset. Her cantorate is defined by her deep connection to Judaism and her love of music coupled with her passion to build community and inspire and comfort others through prayer,music, learning, and love.
Cantor Jacobson received her B.A. in Voice/Theatre and English Literature from New York University and her Masters of Sacred Music and Ordination of Hazzan (Cantor) from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTSA) on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Raised in New Rochelle, NY, in a modern orthodox Jewish home, Cantor Jacobson has proudly served at reconstructionist, conservative, and reform synagogues as cantor. Although she clearly and passionately identifies herself as a reform Jew and has for many years, her experiences in the various movements enable her to bring a unique perspective and sensitivity to her work as a Jewish clergy. Cantor Jacobson is also a certified facilitator of Prepare-Enrich: Building Strong Marriages and certified facilitator of Strong Girls, Healthy Relationships.
Cantor Jacobson has served numerous communities as cantor since 1998 including West End Synagogue in Manhattan, Temple Beth El in Stamford, CT, Temple Ahavat Shalom in Palm Harbor, FL, and the Reform Temple of Forest Hills.
Cantor Jacobson participates in many community programs, both Jewish and Interfaith, adding the beauty and inspiration of prayer and music wherever and whenever she can. She always aspires to include people of all ages in singing and celebrating Judaism! She is honored to serve her congregants and their connections at Life-cycle events, whether in comforting families during times of crisis or death or officiating at marriage ceremonies, baby namings, and B’nei mitzvah celebrations. She particularly enjoys destination celebrations. She has led her signature ‘Shabbat Unplugged’ service and performed her ‘Bimah to Broadway’ concerts at numerous synagogues, and has led services around the world including in Australia and Singapore. CDs and selections of these services and concerts as well as others are available on her website www.deborahjacobson.com. Her music is also available to download on Spotify and iTunes.
A published author, Cantor Jacobson has appeared nationally on TV shows such as Good Day New York, NBC Weekend Today and ABC Eyewitness News in the Morning. She was featured on Lifetime TV on a special segment about women clergy and on radio stations across the country including NPR.
Cantor Jacobson is a member of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC), the Cantor’s Assembly (CA), and the Women Cantor’s Network (WCN.) She has served on the development and fundraising committee of the ACC, the membership committee of the CA, the national leadership council of Jewish Women International, as President of the Bay Area Cantorial Association, and on the Tampa board of Jewish National Fund. She is a lifetime member of Hadassah.
Cantor Jacobson has two grown daughters, Maya and Shira.
B’ahava U’V’shira - with love and song.
Cantor can be reached at Cantorjacobson@temple-judea.