By COLlive reporter
Chabad of Port Washington on Long Island, New York, has appointed Shlomie Rabin as its full-time cantor, formalizing a role that has steadily expanded over the past several years.
Rabin has led the High Holiday davening at Chabad since 2019, accompanied by a choir. As the community continued to grow, so did interest in bringing more songs and musical davening into the shul throughout the year.
What began with occasional appearances developed into a pilot program, with Rabin joining the community approximately once a month, and at times more frequently. Following a strong response from congregants over the winter and spring, Chabad decided to make his regular appearances a permanent part of the community’s programming.
The appointment comes following a significant expansion and renovation of the Chabad Center, adding another dimension to the growing congregation and its Shul experience.
Rabbi Shalom Paltiel, the longtime Shliach and director of Chabad of Port Washington, is widely known beyond the community for his farbrengens and weekly in-depth Likkutei Sichos shiurim. In Port Washington, however, his primary role is serving the local Jewish community he has helped build.
“As a Shliach in a beautiful suburban area, I want to make the Shul experience as enjoyable as possible, but to touch people with song and music requires a different talent than a Rabbi’s speaking,” Rabbi Paltiel said. “Shlomie Rabin bridges that gap for us.”
Rabin said the new position represents both an opportunity and an honor.
“Getting a position like this is a rare opportunity and a special honor,” he told COLlive. “During the weeks I am not serving in Port Washington, I look forward to visiting other communities to share more songs and continue learning from each location.”
VIDEO: Filmed before Shabbos
Learn more about Chabad at https://www.chabadpw.org
Learn more about Shlomie https://app.jplacing.com/talents/shlomierabin
