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Rabbi Ammos Chorny |
Our Rabbi is a warm and caring man, able to connect with his congregation. He is articulate, an eloquent speaker and an inspiring teacher, with the capacity to motivate, and reach the hearts and minds of all who hear him. Committed to a very conscious decision to become a Rabbi at an early age, he continues to maintain aglow his life's passion for Jewish Learning and education. As a congregational Rabbi, he has been 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.
In every Congregation he has served, during his military career, and in the course of the few years he ventured into the business world, he has been regarded by congregants, associates and peers, as a highly involved, experienced and committed leader, who above all is accessible, collaborative, and down to earth. In the course of the last two decades, I has accumulated the necessary experience to become a role model, an effective communicator, an creative teacher and a scholar; and in the process, endeavored to develop strong relationships, and reach out to all constituencies of his Congregation and the community at large.
To foster success in all areas of his professional life, Rabbi Chorny has constantly remained committed to function as an active asset involved in all facets of daily life in my synagogue. To that end, he looks to the future to allow him 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.
As a byproduct of this process, Rabbi Chorny aspires to serve not only the needs of its membership, but also those of the unaffiliated in the community, who in the spirit of Keruv (inclusiveness), have the potential of joining our ranks, and enhance the character of our institutions. The 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.
Finally, as the Rabbis so aptly put it: Aharon, Aharon Haviv (the last is the most beloved): Rabbi Chorny has repeatedly stated that he wants to be part of a community with the strongest sense of commitment to the State of Israel, where support for her people, her government and her institutions are among its highest priorities.
► 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
• Assisatant Rabbi, B'nai Israel Congregation, Rockville, Maryland
► Language Skills
• English – Spanish – Hebrew – German – Yiddish (proficient)
Career History and Achievements
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.
Adjunct Professor of Jewish Studies responsible for teaching courses in Hebrew Scripture and Jewish Religion. During the 2 years teaching at King’s I implemented a new curriculum in Jewish Tradition and Values, designed to provide not only an introduction to Judaism for neophytes, but serve also as a mechanism the further the knowledge of Jewish students enrolled in the course. Further, taught an introductory course to the Critical Methodologies of Biblical Study, and serviced a couple of students with their independent studies programmes.
Adjunct Professor of Religion at Penn State University. Developed and taught –for a total of 5 years– 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 Carrer
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.