Its been my pleasure and honor to work with Rabbi Kurland, not only here at Federation, but as co-clergy at Congregation Shir Shalom. I met Rabbi Kurland in 2004 when I first interviewed with the then Nanuet Hebrew Center. When I came to the congregation in 2005, I found a colleague who was 100% supportive of my role. As the dean of my cantorial school said when he learned who my rabbi was, “you’ve got a honey”. He was right; in Rabbi Kurland I have found a great colleague and a true friend.

Since 1997, Rabbi Kurland has played a major role in Rockland County’s Jewish life. Of course, there is his work at the synagogue, where he has touched countless congregants and their families over the years. Rabbi Kurland’s first calling was Jewish education and he has accomplished this in many settings. Beyond the synagogue, he has been part of the Camp Ramah community since his youth. For years, he taught at Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, numerous Global Day of Jewish Learning sessions and at other educational opportunities in and outside our community. As a representative of our synagogue and the larger Jewish community, he served on the Rockland Board of Rabbis, interfaith councils and has created much interfaith programming in Rockland. He has participated in numerous Rockland boards including our Federation and Helping Hands of Rockland.

I could go on and on (there’s so much more), but the list of accomplishments is only there to illustrate what an integral part of our community (and beyond) Rabbi Kurland has been. Fortunately, he and Gerri plan to stay in our community and we will be blessed with their presence for years to come. I know we all look forward to continuing to enjoy Jewish life in Rockland with both of them.

L’shalom,
Cantor Barry Kanarek