Following the departure of Rabbi Josh Franklin from the Jewish Center of the Hamptons in East Hampton, Rabbi Debra Stein, the center’s longtime cantor, has assumed that role while the congregation continues its search for a permanent rabbi.
Rabbi Franklin recently relocated to Florida, where he has taken a co-senior rabbi position, said Rabbi Stein, who was ordained around 12 years ago. When a previous rabbi, Sheldon Zimmerman, retired in 2017, “I felt I was only two years in the rabbinate and not prepared to take on the position,” she said. “But now, having been a rabbi for over a decade, I felt very comfortable stepping in and assuming the role while the congregation continues to search for who will be the permanent rabbi.”
The cantor leads a congregation in singing and music. But, Rabbi Stein said, “within Judaism there is little distinction between cantor and rabbi. Over the years, I’ve been to hundreds of funerals, weddings, counseling, life cycle events, being with families. I’ve given sermons, I’ve taught, so there’s very little difference. The titles have their own distinction — rabbi is more a teacher, cantor is more engaged in ongoing worship of the congregation — but any cantor could fill in and be a rabbi, and any rabbi, if he or she has a voice, can sing at services. It’s not a hierarchical situation. We’re co-clergy in any congregation.”
“What’s important to me as this congregation moves forward,” she continued, “is to give our families a feeling of stability, to bring strength to the congregation as a community, and to always be respected within the larger community as a caring congregation.”
Rabbi Stein assumes her new position amid a decadelong rise in antisemitism in the United States, one that has accelerated since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel, concurrent with rising anti-immigrant sentiment among many Americans and in many nations. “I think one of the primary things that we here have to be aware of is the rise of antisemitism,” she said. “It’s not the first time there’s been antisemitism in America, and I suppose I would have to say unfortunately it won’t be the last time. Our job is to hold our heads high, be proud of who we are, and keep one another safe.” The congregation works with Maureen’s Haven and “all the organizations here to protect the immigrants and to keep them safe,” she added.
With the summer upon us, “The more Jews in the pews, the happier I am,” she said. “I love it: When there’s more people here, there’s more people worshipping. It’s a wonderful experience.” For some three decades, she said, the congregation has held Shabbat on the Beach on Friday evenings in the summer at Main Beach.
Though she is now Rabbi Stein, she may still add “cantor” to the title at times. “I’ve been singing my entire life,” she said. “We have a cantorial soloist here, and he’s wonderful. He’s here with us through the holidays.” But to stop singing, after a 40-year career? “It’s not going to happen,” she said.
