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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.
Tue, June 17 2025
21 Sivan 5785
Online Minyan and service
Today's Calendar
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Upcoming Events
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Friday ,
JulJuly 4 , 2025
Friday, Jul 4th (All day)
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Friday ,
AugAugust 1 , 2025
Friday, Aug 1st 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 ,
AugAugust 8 , 2025
Friday, Aug 8th 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 ,
AugAugust 15 , 2025
Friday, Aug 15th 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 ,
AugAugust 29 , 2025
Friday, Aug 29th (All day)
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Sunday ,
SepSeptember 7 , 2025Sisterhood Board Meeting
Sunday, Sep 7th 10:00a to 11:00a
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Wednesday ,
SepSeptember 17 , 2025Sisterhood Paid-Up Dinner
Wednesday, Sep 17th 5:30p to 6:30p
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Sunday ,
SepSeptember 28 , 2025
Sunday, Sep 28th 9:30a to 12:00p
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Sunday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2025Suds in the Sukkah Dinner
Sunday, Oct 12th 5:30p to 6:30p
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Wednesday ,
OctOctober 29 , 2025Sisterhood Board Meeting
Wednesday, Oct 29th 7:00p to 8:00p
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Sunday ,
NovNovember 9 , 2025MMC Paid Up Member Brunch
Sunday, Nov 9th 9:45a to 12:00p
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Wednesday ,
DecDecember 3 , 2025Sisterhood Board Meeting
Wednesday, Dec 3rd 5:00p to 6:30p
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Wednesday ,
DecDecember 3 , 2025Sisterhood Program
Wednesday, Dec 3rd 6:45p to 8:30p
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Sunday ,
DecDecember 7 , 2025MMC Set Up Menorah
Sunday, Dec 7th 9:45a to 12:00p
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Sunday ,
DecDecember 28 , 2025MMC Take Down Menorah
Sunday, Dec 28th 9:45a to 12:00p
Congregation B'nai Israel
727.381.4900 | info@cbistpete.org
300 58th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
Contributions made to Congregation B’nai Israel are non-refundable.
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