Introducing Rabbi Shy

Rabbi Toni Shy comes to the Marlboro Jewish Center (MJC), Congregation Ohev Shalom, which will have the distinction of being the largest Conservative congregation in the world to be served by a woman rabbi. Rabbi Shy comes to Marlboro after servicing as spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel (TBI) of Port Washington for eleven years, her first congregation after ordination. She left the Seminary with a distinguished academic record: She received her ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) in 1996, a recipient of the Bernard and Sydell Citron Scholastic Prize. Prior degrees include two Bachelor of Arts Degrees and two Master of Arts Degrees, the latter from the University of Judaism in California and from JTS in NY. The Rabbinate followed Rabbi Shy’s first career – home schooling four of her five (now grown) children for fifteen years. In addition to her rabbinic education, Rabbi Shy is a trained Spiritual Director and a frequent lecturer on Spirituality and Judaism, as well as other topics. She has served on the Chancellor’s Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America for many years, as well as on the Rabbinical Assembly’s Joint Placement Commission, and was a consultant to the Study of Women in the Rabbinate commissioned by the Rabbinical Assembly. In 2002 Rabbi Shy became a recipient of the New York Board of Rabbis 2002 Chaplain of the Year Award for her service to the Jewish and general communities in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11^th. Rabbi Shy is married to Dr. Herb Bilick, and is a proud step-mother to his three grown daughters. Rabbi Shy and Dr. Bilick have two sons-in-law from the marriage of each of their eldest daughters, and the birth of their first grandchild is imminent.

In her own words:

ON COMING TO THE MARLBORO JEWISH CENTER

“This is a tremendously exciting time in the life of the synagogue! The air is charged from the enthusiasm of staff and members alike as we anticipate the new programs that are being planned to meet our congregants’ needs and desires! I can’t wait to work with our new Cantor, Wayne Krieger, as we roll out worship services that are both meaningful and lively! Don’t be surprised if you end up smiling (and singing!) just from the pleasure of being there! And even more, I look forward to meeting and truly getting to know all of our members! ‘Is it possible for you to get to know so many people?’ you ask. “You bet it is!” I reply, “And I can’t wait!”

ON COMMUNITY

“We all need community. In fact, many of us join synagogues because we are hoping to find a community that suits us. The beauty of the Marlboro Jewish Center is that we are large enough to offer you many opportunities to connect to the “mini-communities” that exist within our larger community, even as you are embraced by the entire synagogue community!

“Suppose you want to get involved in helping others in some way. Join one of our Gemilut Hesed Committees (Deeds of Lovingkindness Committees) and you will be swept up into the activities of likeminded people who will welcome you and introduce you to a network of individuals who will be your partners in action. Or suppose you want to take the next step in your Jewish journey, either adding to your Jewish knowledge or skills, or exploring ideas with others, or perhaps it is the Spirituality Institute that interests you and you are eager to join a class or join a Havurah. Options exist for you to find others who are on the same path you are on, looking to link arms with you as together members learn and share and grow. Yet all paths come together when we worship together and when we celebrate together, and when we support one another in times of need. This is community. Be a part of it!”

ON CHERISHING OUR MEMBERS

“Whether you are a senior or a child, a young adult or a mature adult, whether you are married or single or divorced, Jewishly knowledgeable or a Jewish beginner, if you are a member of our community we will cherish the holiness that you add to our congregation! Come and let us welcome you! If you are a young person, let us enjoy the vibrancy you bring inside our doors! If you are wizened, let us share your wisdom. Allow us to discover what makes you unique, and accept the hand that is offered in fellowship.”

ON OUR CHILDREN’S JEWISH EDUCATION

“Education has always been dear to my heart, so much so that for a year I served as Principal of the Religious School of the synagogue at the same time that I served the community as its Rabbi. My goal was to create a school which viewed every child as invaluable and precious, a soul on loan for the delicate task of imparting moral values and spirituality while fostering the growth of knowledge and derech eretz (menchleheit). The greatest tool available to accomplish this task was love – love of the children, and love of the task. Add to that dynamic classroom techniques and solid educational background, and that is teaching at its finest! My joy at being heavily involved with the education in our schools here at Marlboro Jewish Center – Nursery, Religious, and High School - is that our most capable School Directors agree with me! Come and lend us your children! We will tend to them lovingly and well!”

ON ADULT JEWISH EDUCATION

“A fulfilled life is one in which we stretch ourselves, wrapping our minds around a new idea, trying on a new behavior and seeing how it fits, grappling with our histories: personal and communal. With each “Aha!” our eyes open to see more, and hopefully, because of it, we grow to be more. If we stop learning, we start dying. This is the truth behind the mitzvah of studying Torah. To live is to learn. Join us at MJC, where learning is life-long and life-giving.”

ON JUDAISM

“Once I learned to bring Eternity into this dance of life, priorities became clearer and meaning began to shape itself daily, even through the smallest of activities. Then Joy invaded the nooks and crannies of life’s passages, and God became a constant companion. This is Judaism and there is nothing better.”