Rabbi Stuart Pollack serves as Temple Har Sinai’s religious leader, the 26th rabbi in the congregation’s long history.
Prior to accepting the position at Har Sinai in 1999, Pollack was religious leader of Temple Tifereth Israel in Malden, MA, for 17 years. He resides in Yardley, PA, with his wife, Robin, and children — Max and Eli. The rabbi spent 10 years of his childhood in Lansdale, PA, where his father was a rabbi at Temple Shalom, before his family relocated to Paterson, NJ.
As a young man, he resisted following in his father’s footsteps. In fact, he says, he went through a “rebellious stage” during his younger years. It wasn’t until he had almost completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA, that he decided to enter the rabbinate. He was president of the Hillel at Penn State and was graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
Pollack also attended the Jewish Community High School of Gratz College, then in Philadelphia, and was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. He received a master of science degree in education and counseling from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and participated in a Minister in Vicinity Program at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, Pollack studied for a doctor of ministry degree at Boston University, where he was a student of Elie Wiesel, and was an adjunct professor of Jewish Studies at Tufts University in Medford, MA.
Rabbi Pollack believes the primary ingredients necessity for the rabbinate are humility and humor. Although much of his job revolves around times of crisis, he also believes in emphasizing every simha, the good times.
Student Cantor Lauren Furman
Student Cantor Lauren Furman was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles. Ms. Furman has been singing classical and Jewish music for most of her life, and received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Arts Performance from The University of Southern California. Since then, Lauren has performed starring roles with Repertory Opera Company of Los Angeles, and Contemporary Opera Company of Los Angeles. She has worked with nationally renowned artists including William Vendice, Brent McMunn, Suzanna Guzman and Ruth Golden. This past year, Lauren created a co-commission for a new Kol Nidre written by acclaimed Jewish music composer, Michael Isaacson. Rabbis and Cantors from across the country, as well as members from the HUC cantorial classes of 2010-2013 participated in this exciting venture. Kol Nidre debuted on the West Coast at University Synagogue with Cantor Jay Frailich, and on the East Coast at Hebrew Union College, featuring Lauren as the soloist. As a soloist, Lauren taught over 300 B’nai Mitzvah students at her home synagogue, Temple Judea of Tarzana, Ca. Additionally, Ms. Furman has worked as a soloist with many various synagogues of the Greater Los Angeles area, teaching B’nai Mitzvah, adult education, and leading congregations in prayer. This past summer, Lauren came home to Los Angeles as the Cantorial Intern of Temple Judea. Lauren is a rising fourth year cantorial student, and is thrilled to be a part of Har Sinai as Student Cantor.
President Simon Kimmelman
Simon Kimmelman was born in Philadelphia and raised in Cheltenham Township, a nearby suburb. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt University Law School.
He has been a practicing attorney for over 32 years and is currently a member and co-managing partner in the Princeton office of Sills Cummis and Gross, P.C. one of the largest law firms in New Jersey. Simon concentrates his practice in bankruptcy, secured transactions and general corporate matters.
Simon and his wife Lisa have been members of Har Sinai for well over 25 years and Lisa has been a teacher in its religious school for close to 30 years. Their three children all celebrated their bat mitzvahs at Har Sinai. Simon was elected President after most recently serving as Har Sinai's Treasurer.
He is a die-hard Eagles fan but asks that you not hold that against him.
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Rabbi Stuart Pollack serves as Temple Har Sinai’s religious leader, the 26th rabbi in the congregation’s long history.
Student Cantor Lauren Furman was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles. Ms. Furman has been singing classical and Jewish music for most of her life, and received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Arts Performance from The University of Southern California. Since then, Lauren has performed starring roles with Repertory Opera Company of Los Angeles, and Contemporary Opera Company of Los Angeles. She has worked with nationally renowned artists including William Vendice, Brent McMunn, Suzanna Guzman and Ruth Golden. This past year, Lauren created a co-commission for a new Kol Nidre written by acclaimed Jewish music composer, Michael Isaacson. Rabbis and Cantors from across the country, as well as members from the HUC cantorial classes of 2010-2013 participated in this exciting venture. Kol Nidre debuted on the West Coast at University Synagogue with Cantor Jay Frailich, and on the East Coast at Hebrew Union College, featuring Lauren as the soloist. As a soloist, Lauren taught over 300 B’nai Mitzvah students at her home synagogue, Temple Judea of Tarzana, Ca. Additionally, Ms. Furman has worked as a soloist with many various synagogues of the Greater Los Angeles area, teaching B’nai Mitzvah, adult education, and leading congregations in prayer. This past summer, Lauren came home to Los Angeles as the Cantorial Intern of Temple Judea. Lauren is a rising fourth year cantorial student, and is thrilled to be a part of Har Sinai as Student Cantor.
