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Rabbi Jacob Luski, Emeritus | Congregation B'nai Israel
Rabbi Jacob Luski, Emeritus
Rabbi Emeritus Jacob Luski graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. From there, he enrolled in the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, New York, where he received his Master of Arts in 1974, and then continued at JTS to graduate from Rabbinical School. He served as the Rabbi for Congregation B'nai Israel from 1977 to 2018.
Rabbi Luski’s years in St. Petersburg have been devoted to growing a vibrant Jewish community, both in the synagogue and surrounding areas. At CBI, he established meaningful educational experiences and activities such as the JTS Tampa Bay Outreach Lecture Series, the first Mitzvah Day in Pinellas County, and Congregational trips to Israel. He also established the Hevra Kadisha Burial Society to ensure respectful and spiritual care for Jewish people after death.
Rabbi Luski also has been an integral part of the growth of the Jewish presence throughout the county. For 26 years, he has been the Jewish Chaplain at the VA Medical Center, Bay Pines, Florida bringing spirituality and friendship to veterans on his weekly visits. Rabbi Jacob Luski, and his wife Joanne, were instrumental in founding the Pinellas County Jewish Day School, welcoming the school on the CBI campus as it grew over it’s first 11 years. Rabbi Luski founded the Vaad Kashrut of Pinellas County, to ensure Kosher supervision for local hotels, restaurants, and caterers.
Building understanding between Jewish and other religious groups has been a continuing focus. Most recently, Rabbi Luski and the Most Reverend Bishop Robert N. Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida presented two Community Interreligious Dialogues marking the 50th Anniversary of the changing relationship that significantly changed relations between Catholics and Jews.
Receiving numerous honors and awards over the years, Rabbi Luski has enjoyed sharing his time and insights with Jewish, non-Jewish, and humanitarian initiatives, including establishing the Pinellas County Board of Rabbis, for which he served as President three times; the Clergy Association of Greater St. Petersburg, through which he founded the Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service; National Conference of Christians and Jews, and the Race Relations Advisory Committee to the St. Petersburg Police Department. He serves on the Board of Directors of MERCAZ, The World Council of Conservative/MASORTI Synagogues, The Jewish Federation of Pinellas County, and the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Federation of North America. In 2003, Rabbi Luski received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity Honoris Causa from the Jewish Theological Seminary in recognition of his dedicated service.
After retiring from Congregation B’nai Israel in June of 2018, Rabbi Luski has continued his support of Israel as the 17th Chairperson of the International Rabbinic Advisory Council of the State of Israel Bonds.
Wed, May 8 2024
30 Nisan 5784
Online Minyan and service
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Today's Calendar
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar |
: 8:00am |
: 9:30am |
: 6:30pm |
Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class : 6:45pm |
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Upcoming Events
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 8 , 2024
Wednesday, May 8th 6:45p to 8:15p
Not everyone had an opportunity for Jewish education when they were 13 years old. Not everyone took college courses about Judaism. Now is the chance to begin again! All are welcome. This course is also suitable for those wishing to learn more about Judaism. Topics will include prayer, kashrut, blessings, parenting, Shabbat, festivals, God, Torah, Israel, women’s changing roles in synagogue life and so much more! Partnering with Women's League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) and the Melton Research Center at JTS, the Etz Chayim He curriculum will be the starting point, but the full direction of the class will depend on you! Please contact Rabbi Weintraub for more details -
Friday ,
MayMay 10 , 2024
Friday, May 10th 10:00a to 11:00a
https://zoom.us/j/4475099917 Study the weekly parsha in a congregant led Zoom chat. Study materials will be provided during the session. -
Friday ,
MayMay 10 , 2024
Friday, May 10th 10:00a to 11:30a
Join your friends for a fun morning of singing and movement -
Sunday ,
MayMay 12 , 2024
Sunday, May 12th 11:00a to 1:00p
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 15 , 2024
Wednesday, May 15th 9:30a to 11:00a
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 15 , 2024
Wednesday, May 15th 12:00p to 1:30p
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 15 , 2024
Wednesday, May 15th 5:00p to 7:00p
Celebrate Israel Independence Day with crafts, cookies and community! Cookie making, cookie tasting, Israeli desserts, and crafts: Make a Kotel Mizrach, an I Love Israel charm, and more! -
Wednesday ,
MayMay 15 , 2024
Wednesday, May 15th 6:45p to 8:15p
Not everyone had an opportunity for Jewish education when they were 13 years old. Not everyone took college courses about Judaism. Now is the chance to begin again! All are welcome. This course is also suitable for those wishing to learn more about Judaism. Topics will include prayer, kashrut, blessings, parenting, Shabbat, festivals, God, Torah, Israel, women’s changing roles in synagogue life and so much more! Partnering with Women's League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) and the Melton Research Center at JTS, the Etz Chayim He curriculum will be the starting point, but the full direction of the class will depend on you! Please contact Rabbi Weintraub for more details -
Friday ,
MayMay 17 , 2024
Friday, May 17th 10:00a to 11:00a
https://zoom.us/j/4475099917 Study the weekly parsha in a congregant led Zoom chat. Study materials will be provided during the session. -
Friday ,
MayMay 17 , 2024
Friday, May 17th 10:00a to 11:30a
Join your friends for a fun morning of singing and movement -
Friday ,
MayMay 17 , 2024
Friday, May 17th 7:00p to 8:30p
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Saturday ,
MayMay 18 , 2024
Shabbat, May 18th 9:00a to 10:00a
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Sunday ,
MayMay 19 , 2024Men's Club takes down the Kotel
Sunday, May 19th (All day)
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 22 , 2024
Wednesday, May 22nd 6:45p to 8:15p
Not everyone had an opportunity for Jewish education when they were 13 years old. Not everyone took college courses about Judaism. Now is the chance to begin again! All are welcome. This course is also suitable for those wishing to learn more about Judaism. Topics will include prayer, kashrut, blessings, parenting, Shabbat, festivals, God, Torah, Israel, women’s changing roles in synagogue life and so much more! Partnering with Women's League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) and the Melton Research Center at JTS, the Etz Chayim He curriculum will be the starting point, but the full direction of the class will depend on you! Please contact Rabbi Weintraub for more details -
Friday ,
MayMay 24 , 2024
Friday, May 24th 10:00a to 11:00a
https://zoom.us/j/4475099917 Study the weekly parsha in a congregant led Zoom chat. Study materials will be provided during the session.