Steven Blane
Rabbi Steven Blane | |
---|---|
Personal | |
Born | Steven Blane |
Religion | Judaism |
Nationality | American |
Denomination | Jewish Universalism[1] |
Alma mater | Jersey City State College |
Position | Spiritual leader |
Synagogue | Sim Shalom Synagogue |
Position | Founder |
Organisation | Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute |
Began | 2010 |
Other | Cantor, Congregation Beth Israel of Northern Valley, Bergenfield, New Jersey |
Residence | Manhattan |
Semikhah | Rabbinical Seminary International |
Steven Blane is an American rabbi, cantor and recording singer-songwriter.
Rabbi Blane, a Universalist rabbi and cantor, conducts his teaching and pastoral work online. He is the founder and dean of the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute, an online, one-year rabbinical school, and founder and spiritual leader of Sim Shalom Synagogue, an interactive Universalist cyber-synagogue that offers live weeknight and Shabbat synagogue services to an international community via computer hookup.
In addition to his work as a rabbi and cantor, Blane is a recording artist singer-songwriter. He writes and performs in the Americana/Folk/Rock genres. He sings, plays guitar, piano and ukulele.[2] Blane has recorded three albums. A fourth album " I Confess" is scheduled for release in December 2016. " I Confess" was produced at Dark Star in TN with famed Christian, Country and Rock music producer Billy Smiley.[3]
Biography
Blane was raised in an
After graduation he worked as an actor and singer on and off-Broadway. He wrote and produced Benjamin Poe, a 1981 off-off-Broadway musical thriller.[2][4] He also co-founded Blane & DeRosa Productions and also produced children's book recordings and audiobooks for the Scholastic Corporation, Random House and other publishers.[1]
At age 34 Blane undertook private studies to become a cantor and was accepted into the Cantors Assembly, the association of Conservative cantors.[1] From 1994 to 1998 he served as the cantor of the First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill, New York, a Conservative congregation, and also served as that congregation's spiritual leader from 1997 to 1998. In 1996 he was the cantor of Temple Beth Haverim of Mahwah, New Jersey, a Reform congregation. From 1999 to 2006 he was the cantor of Congregation Beth Israel of Northern Valley, Bergenfield, New Jersey, a Conservative congregation. From 2006 to 2009 he officiated as rabbi and cantor at Congregation Beth Tikvah/New Milford Jewish Center.[2]
Blane received his rabbinic ordination in June 2001 from Rabbi Joseph Gelberman of the
Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute
Blane founded the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute in New York City in 2010.
In line with his belief in
As of November 2016, Blane has ordained a total of 112 rabbis, including 2 cantors.
Sim Shalom Online Synagogue
Blane is also the founder of Sim Shalom Synagogue, an interactive Universalist cyber-synagogue, which offers live weeknight and Sabbath synagogue services to an international community via computer hookup.[11] The platform offers an interactive chat feature that allows participants from around the globe to converse in real time with the rabbi(s) and each other during services.[6][8]
The liturgy of the synagogue is fully participatory in that everything is viewable on the computer screen of the worshiper.
Sim Shalom has assembled Jazz High Holiday service celebrations with a live congregation at iconic New York City venues for the past five years.[13][14][15]
UJUC
Rabbi Blane is the founder of the new Jewish movement Jewish Universalism, launched in 2015 to foster Jewish worship and rituals without restrictions. It embraces the diversity of the Jewish world and all its Jewish denominations.[16]
The UJUC Union of Jewish Universalist Communities adheres and promotes the understanding to live one's faith guided by a love of Jewish tradition.[17]
Positions
Blane supports the traditional
Blane is listed as the officiating rabbi at various types of wedding ceremonies, including interfaith weddings between Jews and Christians.[19][20][21]
Personal life
Blane had previously lived in Haworth, New Jersey and lives with his wife and children in Manhattan.[1] He plays piano and guitar.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Palmer, Joanne (August 24, 2012). "A new way to become a rabbi?: Former local cantor Steven Blane opens controversial one-year online seminary". Jewish Standard. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "New York, NY: Premium Member". officiants.org. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ Robert Wiener (September 28, 2016). "Rabbi/musician answers two callings". New Jersey Jewish News.
- ^ "Off-Off Broadway". New York. 14 (22): 73. June 1, 1981. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ Dina Weinstein (May 2023). "As congregations shrink, cantors become rabbis — and work as both". The Jewish Chronicle.
- ^ a b c d e f Lipowsky, Josh (August 31, 2012). "School is back in session". Jewish Standard. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c Nathan-Kazis, Josh (December 7, 2012). "Online-Ordained Rabbis Grab Pulpits: With Money Tight, Some Congregations Avoid Seminary Grads". The Forward. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ Ynetnews. July 7, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ Pelzer, Jeremy (February 27, 2019). "Green Party presidential hopeful says he was fired as rabbi because of Israel criticism". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ "Muslim-born American to be ordained as rabbi in New York". Al Arabiya. July 7, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ Paul Wieder. "" Cyber-synagogue "". JUF News Chicago.
- ^ The Radio Rabbi, 13th November 2011 Archived June 20, 2013, at archive.today
- ^ "Jazzing Up The Jewish New Year". Nypress. September 15, 2015.
- ^ "Where To Celebrate Rosh Hashanah In New York City". CBS Local. September 28, 2016.
- NY Times. October 3, 2016.
- ^ Rabbi Deborah Reichmann (September 28, 2016). "The Jewish Chronicle".
- ^ "The Union of Jewish Universalist Congregations".
- ^ "Progressive Rabbis On Creating A Jewish Covenant Without Circumcision". Intact News. January 27, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^ Weddings/Celebrations (July 15, 2011). "Melissa Wilder, Alexander Levine". The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ Weddings/Celebrations (November 6, 2011). "Sarah Seltzer, Craig Blackburn". The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ "Rabbi Steven Blane".