Our Rabbi

Rabbi Ammos Chorny

Our Rabbi is driven by a professional commitment to serve Am Yisrael as a model, guide, and partner in the spiritual journey that is a life rooted in Mitzvot and Torah; in the words of Franz Rosensweig, he has made it his life's mandate to extend a hand to all who are - or wish to be - engaged in our people's millenary spiritual journey.

Rabbi Chorny is involved in all facets of daily life in my synagogue. Hhe looks to the future to continue to provide leadership in the development of his Congregation, as an active partner with a highly committed leadership, who possess the vision and the drive to perpetuate the Jewish values of Shmirat Mitzvot, Talmud Torah and Tikkun Olam. stronger adult and family educational programs.

Rabbi hopes that together, we can increase membership, develop creative programming opportunities, boost fundraising, and ultimately build a model of a vibrant sacred community; where everyone can find moral guidance, substantive educational opportunities, and a bond with the joy of being Jewish.

► Education and Professional Development

• Rabbi, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, NY, 1987

• Master of Hebrew Literature, The Jewish Theological Seminary, NY, 1985

• Visiting Graduate Student, Hebrew University, Schechter Institute, Jerusalem, 1983

• B.A., Talmud and Rabbinics, Seminary College of Jewish Studies, JTSA, NY, 1982

• B.A., Comparative Religion/minor in Psychology, Columbia University, NY, 1982

• Mohel, Brit Kodesh Programm, The Jewish Theological Seminary, NY, 1989,

• Chaplain (Captain, U.S. Anny Reserves, Ret.) Basic and Advanced Courses,

United States Army Chaplain Center & School. Ft. Monmouth, NJ. 1983

• Instructor's Course at the IFK Special Warfare Center and School at Ft. Bragg, NC. 1989

► Professional Affiliations

• The Rabbinical Assembly

• Mercaz USA

• United States Army Reserve Officers Association

• Jewish Theological Seminary of America Alumni Association

• Columbia University Alumni Association

• Rotary International

► Awards & Prizes

• Felix M. Warburg Academic Excellence Price, Seminary College of Jewish Studies

• Jewish War Veterans Special Service Award

• Army Achievement Medal with bronze cluster

• National Defense Service Medal

• Army Commendation Award

• South West Asia Campaign Medal

• Overseas Service Medal

• Certificate of Achievement, Central Command: Desert Shield, Saudi Arabia

• Rotary International, Paul Harris Fellow

► Prior Employment:

• Rabbi, Agudath Achim Congregation, Altoona, Pennsylvania

• Adjunct Professor, PennState University, Ivey Side Campus, Altoona, Pennsylvania

• Rabbi, Associación Israelita Montefiore, Bogotá, Colombia

• Visiting Scholar, Union Cultural Israelita, Cali, Colombia

• Rabbi, Beth David Synagogue, Greensboro, North Carolina

• Assistant Rabbi, B'nai Israel Congregation, Rockville, Maryland

► Language Skills

• English – Spanish – Hebrew – German – Yiddish (proficient)

Current position Rabbi, Congregation Or Shalom, London, ON

Rabbi for a 250 family congregation in South Western Ontario, responsible for all family and community programming; and the integration of all synagogue activities and projects with the programmatic content of other community institutions. Curriculum development, execution, and evaluation of the Synagogue's Hebrew School, and Adult education programs. Teach all Bar/Bat Mitzvah students, as well as the Confirmation classes. Discharge all pastoral and rabbinic duties, such visitation, counseling, and homiletic preparation. Motivated by the aspiration of insuring that the synagogue remain a place where all Jews are welcomed -regardless of religious affiliation or allegiance- single handedly, created new programs designed to meet special needs of families, singles and the elderly. I designed a new format, edit the content and periodically publish "Sparkles / Nitzotzot" the Synagogue's monthly bulletin.

Huron University College, London, ON (link)

Adjunct Professor of Hebrew Language, teaching the introductory course to Hebrew Language, designed as an introduction to oral and written modern Hebrew for students with little or no previous knowledge of the language –Hebrew1030(link). In addition taught the Intermediate Hebrew course –2200(link) designed to build upon skills in reading and speaking modern Hebrew, developed in the earlier course. Students gained increased vocabulary, and a greater understanding of more complex grammatical structures.

In the last year , taught both components of the Intermediate Biblical Hebrew curriculum (Prose & Poetry) – Hebrew 2240/2241(link). At the concluding of the courses, students were able to read, translate, and analyzing the grammar of selected prose and poetry passages from the Hebrew Bible with the aid of a lexicon.

Currently serve as the vice-chair for The Centre for Catholic Jewish Learning –CCJL(link) was formed in 2004, to bring together members of the Catholic and Jewish traditions in the City of London and South-western Ontario. –

Penn State University – Ivy Side Campus, Altoona, PA (link)

Adjunct Professor of Religion at Penn State University. Developed and taught curricula (link) for a new degree in Religion, which did not exist prior to my arrival. In 2007, was nominated by my students for the "Excellence in Teaching" Award (2007). Additional to teaching responsibilities, offered counseling and bereavement support, served as campus chaplain and Jewish students Association advisor and advocate. Organized and executed a variety of programs in support of the campus Jewish Community.

Rabbi, Asociación Israelita Montefiore, Bogotá, Colombia

Prior to returning to the United States in 2000, served as Rabbi for a Congregation in flux, where I was instrumental in the process of preserving the Jewish community of Bogotá, fostering creativity and renewal among its members. Created and executed successful adult education programs open to the entire community, edited and produced an attractive monthly bulletin, and coordinated all aspects of synagogue administration and programming; while performing all the traditional rabbinic functions. During the last couple of years of my tenure in Bogotá, assisted in the creation of a new congregation in the southern city of Cali, where I provided rabbinic coverage, constant consultation and supervision; spearheading efforts to raise funds for the acquisition of a new synagogue building.

Military Career

Commissioned: 25 May 1983. Completing Basic and Advanced Chaplain Training courses, served as installation chaplain at Fort Dix, NJ, responsible for the welfare of training cadre and soldiers as well as the Jewish Chapel program. Chaplain at the Womack Army Hospital also at Ft. Dix. While in the DC area, served as assistant hospital chaplain at Walter Reed Army Hospital, battalion chaplain for the 220 MASH unit in Rockville, MD, and staff assitant for the Command Chaplain at First Army, Ft. Meade, MD. In 1989 received special orders to attend the Instructor's Course at the IFK Special Warfare Center and School at Ft. Bragg, NC. where I served as religion and world cultures instructor for the Army's "Q Course," a requirement for all special forces personnel. In the Fall of 1991, was called to active duty, and deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield: Command Chaplain, US Army Special Command - 22nd Support Command, Daharan, Saudi Arabia. Honorable discharge: 11 May 2001.