Clergy - Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am

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Rabbi Emeritus Philip Scheim

Rabbi Philip Scheim is our Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Scheim received his rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in May 1981, where he earned his M.A. in Rabbinics in 1980, and where he received awards in Jewish Philosophy and Homiletics (sermonizing). He earned His B.A. in Jewish Studies at McGill University in 1976.

Rabbi Scheim’s career in the rabbinate began in 1981, when he was appointed Assistant Rabbi at Beth David. He served in that capacity for two-and-a-half years until the untimely passing of Rabbi Albert Pappenheim in January 1984. Rabbi Scheim attributes many of his skills in meeting the needs of congregants to the example set by his exemplary predecessor. In August of 1984, Rabbi Scheim was officially designated Senior Rabbi of the congregation, and has continued to serve in that capacity ever since.

Rabbi Scheim is Past President of the International Rabbinical Assembly. He has served on the Committee of Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative Movement. He was co-editor of Megillat HaShoah, a Holocaust liturgy produced by the Rabbinical Assembly and Schechter Institute of Israel. Megillat HaShoah was initiated by Alex Eisen of Beth David and supported by members of our congregation and community. He serves as a board member of several charitable and service organizations in Canada, the U.S. and Israel, and has been active in leadership roles in the Masorti (Conservative) Movement in Israel, and Mercaz Canada, the Zionist arm of the Conservative Movement.

Israel awareness has been a major priority of Rabbi Scheim’s leadership at Beth David and in the community, highlighted by some twenty Israel solidarity tours that he has led to Israel from the congregation, and through the Rabbinical Assembly.

With over 40 years of service to Beth David B’nai Israel Beth Am, Rabbi Scheim is proud of the congregation he is privileged to lead, delighted to be part of its clergy team, honoured to serve with Cantor Marshall Loomer and Ritual Director Michael Rubin, and looking forward to even greater strides that Beth David will make in the years to come.

Cantor Marshall Loomer

Always involved with liturgical music, Cantor Marshall Loomer sang with the choir at Beth Emeth as a young man. He studied voice at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, medaled in the Kiwanis Vocal Competition and performed in recitals at the University of Toronto Edward Johnson Hall. He subsequently attended Ryerson University, earning a certificate in Marketing Management. He continued his studies in liturgical music, specifically nusach and the art of Hazzanut, with Cantors Benjamin Maissner, Louis Danto and David Bagley. Renowned Cantor David Kusevitzky heard Loomer and suggested he become a cantor. Years later, Marshall decided to make this his chosen path.

Cantor Loomer prides himself on making the congregational singing experience participatory at Beth David during Shabbat and Yom Tov services. He has conducted the Beth David ensemble during the high holidays for a number of years. He can often be heard singing harmony with Ritual Director Michael Rubin and together they have become well known as The Two Moishes, who frequently perform at bar-bat mitzvah luncheons. Marshall's warmth is felt throughout the Beth David community at services, or in conducting various life cycle events. He also teaches nusach (the proper mode of chanting) to congregants so that they can be proficient in leading services.

In addition to his annual concerts at Beth David, Cantor Loomer has led services and performed concerts in Israel, Europe and in many cities throughout North America. He is presently serving as the President of the Toronto Council of Hazzanim and also is a member of the Cantorial Council of America, and the Belz School of Music at Yeshiva University. He started the concept of Jewish Women in Song which has become popular across Toronto and in many other cities. Cantor Loomer enjoys his amazing relationship with Rabbi Scheim, as they have now officiated together for over 18 years. He is looking forward to serving the congregation for many more years!

Michael Rubin, Director of Engagement, Education & Ritual

Michael Rubin, son of Bernard and the late Norma Rubin, z”l, has been connected with Beth David since his parents’ involvement in the earliest years of the congregation. Michael participated in Junior Congregation, collecting the weekly Parashah stickers, sang in the Beth David choir and, more recently, has served as Ritual Director since 2004. Music and Jewish learning have been a regular part of Michael’s life; he attended Associated Hebrew Day Schools and CHAT, and studied piano and violin in his youth. Michael also sang in a local Toronto choir led by the late Helen Greenberg, z”l, for a number of years.

After completing a degree in history at the University of Toronto in 1985, Michael made Aliyah to Israel. He served in various educational and administrative capacities at the Leo Baeck Education Centre in Haifa. He then served as a licensed tour guide for a variety of Israelis and visitors including Bar/Bat Mitzvah family celebrations, Birthright and March of the Living groups, Christian-Muslim-Jewish Interfaith Study Missions, and annual Israeli high school field trips. Michael learned first-hand about the complex nature of Israeli society by facilitating various groups through the Adam Institute in co-existence and conflict resolution, as well as regular and reserve service in the Israel Defense Forces.. Michael also had the honour to be involved with the Israeli ice hockey senior and junior programs since their infancy until his ‘retirement’ in 1995.

He thoroughly enjoys working with his colleagues, Rabbi Philip Scheim and Cantor Marshall Loomer, the administrative staff, as well as with our dedicated lay leadership, and is grateful for the ‘heimishe’ and participatory environment in which our congregation revels. Michael has been very successful at encouraging post-bar mitzvah age congregants to learn and read torah, haftorah and portions of Megillat Esther.

Since moving to Toronto with his partner of 16 years, Iris Gershon, and their daughter, Elah, Michael has continued to share his love of Jewish education, music, and Israel in the many different activities in which he is involved in our synagogue.