Rabbi Avraham Rabinowich

Rabbi Avraham Rabinowich has been the spiritual leader of our congregation since 2005. He comes to the Bellmore Jewish Center with extensive training, knowledge, and expertise in Torah, Talmud, Judaic Studies, and the History of the Jewish People.

Rabbi Rabinowich received Advanced Rabbinical Ordination (Smicha), at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) of Yeshiva University in 2002.  From 2001-2004, Rabbi Rabinowich was selected as a distinguished fellow member of the Israel Henry Beren Institute of Higher Talmudic Studies at RIETS. Rabbi Rabinowich interned at the Chief Rabbinical Court of Jerusalem during the spring of 2000, while studying for Rabbinical Judicial Ordination (Dayanut). 

Rabbi Rabinowich earned a Masters Degree in Jewish Philosophy from the Bernard Revel Graduate School at Yeshiva University and is committed to completing his PhD in Chasidic literature and Kabbalah, and also has studied music and Chazanut at Yeshiva University's Belz School of Jewish Music. He is well-versed in both Hebrew and Yiddish.  He has edited several books and has published many essays, articles and columns on a variety of Jewish topics, and is presently writing a new, interactive family Passover Haggadah.

At the Bellmore Jewish Center, Rabbi Rabinowich works with our Hebrew School Principal implementing ideas to enhance the school’s curriculum.  He enjoys participating in the Junior Congregation program where he is a regular visitor, and has worked to create a family friendly, “haimeshe” atmosphere at the Bellmore Jewish Center.

Rabbi Rabinowich is a member of the New York Board of Rabbis and since 2007 is serving as the Vice President of the Long Island Board of Rabbis (LIBOR). On August 11, 2007, Nassau County Executive, Thomas R. Suozzi, honored Rabbi Rabinowich for his outstanding vital and vibrant contributions to the quality of life in Nassau County.  

In addition to serving as the Rabbi of the synagogue, he is the father of three young boys, David, Menachem, and Yona.

Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 Cantor Elliot Joseph Yavneh

Cantor Elliott Joseph Yavneh has served as BJC’s chazzan since 1994.   

Cantor Yavneh comes from a long and distinguished line of professional chazzanim.  His father, Cantor Ephraim Yavneh, Zt'l served his Queens congregation for sixty years, the longest any chazzan has served one congregation in the history of the American Cantorate.  His uncle Zalmon Zt'l, was known as the ‘neshomah chazzan’ and served his congregation for over 50 years.  The Cantor's mother, Gloria, A'H, served as the President of the Women’s Division of Jewish Ministers and Cantors Association of America and Canada for over a decade. 

At the age of three, Cantor Yavneh stood at his father's side on the Bimah joining in t’filot and shira.  At the age of four, he made his professional debut on a concert stage. 

Cantor Yavneh first officiated as a professional chazzan at the age of 17.  He graduated from Baruch College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and received a post-graduate degree as a Cantor from the Herzliah Teachers Seminary where he studied with the world famous Cantor David Kusevitsky Zt'l.  Studying under the late Cantor Zvee Aroni, Cantor Yavneh began many years of professional voice instruction in the Bel Canto tradition.  Throuhg his years of training, Cantor Yavneh has become an expert and a master of correct traditional nusach hatfilah.  

Cantor Yavneh was one of the first to introduce Carlebach-style davening, beautiful "user friendly" Niggunim, and today's popular Israeli/Chassidic music to lead the Congregation in prayer.  

Cantor Yavneh’s greatest accomplishment is his work and close relationships with the children of the BJC.  He has trained over 350 b'nai and b'not mitzvah during his tenure.  He strives to teach and bond with all of our children as if they were his own!  During the High Holidays, temple members, both kids and adults join Cantor Yavneh on the Bimah to sing duets, solos and complicated musical pieces.  

Cantor Yavneh resides in Bellmore with his lovely wife, Andrea.  They have two children, Joshua and Samara, who is married to Eric Feiler.  The Yavnehs are blessed with three grandchildren: Jacob, Arielle and Peri Leiba.   The Yavnehs have felt from day one that BJC is a part of their family.