RABBI DANIEL PERNICK
Rabbi Daniel Pernick has been the Rabbi at Beth Am Temple since July, 1985. He is a native of Detroit, MI where he attended Oakland University and received a BA in Sociology. Rabbi Pernick was ordained at the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1982 and served for three years as the Assistant Rabbi in New England's second largest congregation (at the time), Temple Emanuel in Worcester, MA. While there, he was fixed up with Ruth, his wife to be and they married in 1983. Four children followed after their arrival at Beth Am.
Rabbi Pernick is very involved in Adult Education, Community Outreach, and is a past president of the Rockland Board of Rabbis and the Pearl River Interfaith Council.
Rabbi Pernick's religious philosophy emphasizes a love of tradition, but a commitment to creative worship and rituals that may enhance religious practice.
His strong belief is that Judaism should be fun, fulfilling and challenging. What it should not be is boring. His involvement in temple programming at every level seeks to bring this philosophy into every aspect of Temple life.
Among the innovations he has brought to the temple are a weekly Torah Study group, annual Group Naming ceremonies on Shabbat Shmot (names), an annual Tu B'Shevat Seder and BATeeMail (a weekly update to congregants via email).
Rabbi Pernick was honored by Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion with the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in May, 2007 in honor of his serving as a rabbi for 25 years (22 at Beth Am).
He is a strong believer in getting people involved in every facet of Temple life. As a result, congregants regularly participate in helping to lead worship services and their active participation is encouraged in temple committees and programming.
Rabbi Pernick can be reached by email at rabbidan2025@gmail.com
CANTORIAL SOLOIST ALEX SCHECTER
Alex is incredibly honored to serve the Beth Am Temple family as Cantorial Soloist. His love for music began at the piano with his grandfather, Sandor Schweiger, who devoted himself to Temple Emanuel of Great Neck as President and chair of the music committee for many years. From an early age, Alex began performing on the bimah at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck. He has always felt it to be an incredible privilege to share in spirituality through music with a congregation.​
A graduate of Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music, Alex earned his Bachelor of Music degree and has since been performing professionally in New York. He has been fortunate enough to work alongside Tony and Emmy Award winning performers, and at some of the country’s most renowned venues, including Lincoln Center, Sony Hall, Birdland, 54 Below, The St George Theater, and Westbury Music Fair. He has also worked on various television shows and films, and in addition, co-created a sitcom pilot currently in the pitching process. Additionally, Alex is proud to teach music, acting, and improv to students of all ages at various schools and programs across New York.
In the winter of 2025, Alex traveled to Florida to serve as Interim Cantorial Soloist at Temple Judea of Palm Beach Gardens. Upon returning, he found his spiritual and musical home at Beth Am; he greatly looks forward to fostering strong and lasting relationships with each member of the congregation through meaningful music and conversation.
Cantorial Soloist Alex Schecter can be reached at alexdschecter@gmail.com.
CANTOR EMERITA MARCY KADIN
Cantor Marcy Kadin served as Beth Am Temple's only ordained Cantor from 2009 -
2023, following her studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
She spent her early childhood in Philadelphia and resides in Piermont, NY, with her husband Paul. Her oldest son Andy lives in Los Angeles, CA and Mike and his wife Sam reside in San Francisco, CA.
Cantor Kadin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the Hartt College of Music and completed her graduate studies at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.
Prior to attending Hebrew Union College, Cantor Kadin was a soloist performing in oratorios, opera, and chamber music for many years. She also served in the professional quartet and was a soloist at her own temple in Summit, NJ. ​
While studying for the cantorate, Marcy was honored to serve as the student cantor in Spring, TX, at the Congregation Jewish Community North and at the Jewish Center of Northwest Jersey in Washington Township, NJ.
Cantor Kadin is also the conductor of HaZamir Rockland, a chapter of HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir. HaZamir is a network of choral chapters across the United States and Israel which provides Jewish teens with a high level of choral experience in a Jewish environment. HaZamir transcends boundaries, giving teenagers a valuable and rare trans-denominational experience as an opportunity to forge close bonds and unite in a common goal: Jewish music.
Cantor Kadin’s love for teaching can been seen in everything she does. Via music and teaching, her ultimate fulfillment comes from enabling her community to experience all that Judaism has to offer.
Cantor Marcy can be reached by email at cantormarcy@gmail.com