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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, November 29 2023
16 Kislev 5784
Online Minyan and service
Today's Calendar
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Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
NovNovember 30 , 2023
Thursday, Nov 30th 6:45p to 8:00p
Learn basic Hebrew reading in a beginning course of study designed for adult readers. There is a fee for study materials. Classes will be in person. 10/19-12/14, no class 11/23. Please contact Maureen Sechan at dll@cbistpete.org for further questions. -
Friday ,
DecDecember 1 , 2023
Friday, Dec 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. -
Saturday ,
DecDecember 2 , 2023
Shabbat, Dec 2nd 10:15a to 11:45a
Celebrate Shabbat in a family and child friendly service designed to build community, facilitate understanding of the Shabbat service, and promote comfort in participating. In this space we are a diverse community of learners, thinkers, talkers, movers, and there will be something for everyone. We are looking forward to sharing this Shabbat experience with you! -
Saturday ,
DecDecember 2 , 2023
Shabbat, Dec 2nd 5:00p to 7:00p
Join us for Havdalah! We'll start with a snack, story and songs and enjoy a Ramah-style Havdalah, the ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat. After Havdalah we'll have milk and cookies and a craft project for all. Wear your jammies and bring your favorite stuffie! -
Saturday ,
DecDecember 2 , 2023
Shabbat, Dec 2nd 5:00p to 9:30p
Calling all second graders and up: join us for for Jammies and Jeans at 5:00 and stay late for our Winter undernighter. There will be food, crafts, games, movies, food, friends and fun, Fun, FUN! Parents: you should drop your kids off and try to have as much fun as they will! RSVP is required. -
Sunday ,
DecDecember 3 , 2023Sisterhood General Meeting
Sunday, Dec 3rd 9:30a to 2:00p
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Sunday ,
DecDecember 3 , 2023Men's Club builds the Menorah
Sunday, Dec 3rd 10:00a to 11:00a
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Sunday ,
DecDecember 3 , 2023
Sunday, Dec 3rd 4:00p to 5:30p
Join us for some pre-holiday Hanukka fun in the CBI library from 4:00-5:30. Kids second grade* and under: bring your favorite grown up and your stuffie for story, snack and activity. *Activities for older siblings, too! -
Monday ,
DecDecember 4 , 2023Men's Club Board Meeting
Monday, Dec 4th 7:00p to 8:00p
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Tuesday ,
DecDecember 5 , 2023
Tuesday, Dec 5th 11:00a to 12:00p
Join our member Steve Wein for an interactive discussion of Talmud on Zoom. -
Wednesday ,
DecDecember 6 , 2023Sisterhood Board Meeting (zoom)
Wednesday, Dec 6th 5:00p to 6:00p
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Thursday ,
DecDecember 7 , 2023
Thursday, Dec 7th 6:45p to 8:00p
Learn basic Hebrew reading in a beginning course of study designed for adult readers. There is a fee for study materials. Classes will be in person. 10/19-12/14, no class 11/23. Please contact Maureen Sechan at dll@cbistpete.org for further questions. -
Friday ,
DecDecember 8 , 2023
Friday, Dec 8th 10:00a to 12:00p
https://zoom.us/j/4475099917 Study the weekly parsha in a congregant led Zoom chat. Study materials will be provided during the session. -
Friday ,
DecDecember 8 , 2023Hanukkah Latke Social
Friday, Dec 8th 5:00p to 7:00p
Mitzvah Men's Club is in charge of the latkes -
Sunday ,
DecDecember 10 , 2023
Sunday, Dec 10th 4:00p to 7:00p