Rabbi Tabachnikoff served Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis, Missouri as associate rabbi for over 2 years (1968-1970) and he is listed along with other rabbis who served St. Louis congregations. The full list can be found at SAINT LOUIS RABBIS.
_________________________
RABBINIC CHRONOLOGY:
1963
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts
1963-1968
Pulpits Served as a Student Rabbi:
Cincinnati, Ohio
Victoria, Texas
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1968
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
Rabbi Ordination
1968-1970
Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis, MO
Assistant Rabbi
1970-1975
Temple Israel, Miami, FL
Assistant Rabbi
1975-2003
Founded and Lead Congregation Bet Breira
Miami, FL
1993
Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity
_________________________
Rabbi Tabachnikoff visited Israel more than 40 times during his rabbinate. At least 30 of those trips were accompanied by local groups or families of temple congregants and others.
He also published two books:
Time to Rhyme Fun Book, Schengold Press, 1975
The Long Journey, Miami-Dade Community College, 1977
_________________________
RABBI'S RECOLLECTIONS
Letter of July 10, 1978
Written to Diana Kline, Congregation Shaare Emeth
......"Here is one of my vivid memories while at Shaare Emeth. A grandmother of a Bat Mitzvah celebrant from B'nai Amoona, confusing our respective institutions, walked to the back to the Rabbi's Study at Shaare Emeth and demanded to see her grandchild before services began. The scene was from "The Twilight Zone" when she was informed that we don't have any Bat Mitzvah celebrations."
_________________________
NEWS ARTICLE
RABBI'S MISSION WILL GO ON
Miami Herald
by Michael W. Sasser
Dateline: Miami, FL Nov. 17, 2003
Last week's untimely death of Rabbi Barry Tabichnikoff won't deter the congregation he founded from continuing the Rabbi's positive, inclusive mission.
"Everybody is shocked and at the same time committed to continue [Tabachnikoff's] mission and continue practicing the things he taught us," said Rabbi Jaime Aklepi, associate rabbi of Congregation Bet Breira. "He was such a tremendous teacher that even in death he is still teaching us."
Tabachnikoff, 61, died of a heart attack on the morning of Tuesday, November 10. Sources close to the rabbi said he had not been ill and that the congregation, friends and family were shocked.
"I think there is this sense of disbelief among congregants," Aklepi said.
For almost 30 years, Tabachnikoff was a powerful voice in Reform Judaism and in the South Florida community. He founded Bet Breira in 1975 and led the congregation for years at temporary sites, until the south Miami-Dade county synagogue could be constructed.
Tabachnikoff was a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami and founding president of the South Dade Rabbinic Association. He was a delegate to the World Zionist Convention twice and was chair of Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference in 1989. Tabachnikoff, who was ordained in 1968 at Hebrew Union College, was also deeply involved in interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue.
Aklepi said that she has been deeply affected by Tabachnikoff, since she joined Bet Breira almost seven years ago.
"He was a true mentor in that he encouraged an exchange of ideas and experiences and was a true friend who cared not only about your time at work, but you - the whole person," she said. "He modeled his life to be good and honest. He lived with the idea that life is a blessing, every moment. I think that's one of the most important things he taught me."
Even though he is gone, Aklepi said that she is sure that the congregation would carry on with his mission of peace, dialogue and bridge building.
"I absolutely believe that we will remain healthy and strong," Aklepi said. "He created the environment here and retains such a strong presence that will continue to lead us." Bet Breiea's Executive Director Debbie Rollins agreed.
"Absolutely we will go on," Rollins said. "That's what we're all wishing for. I think rabbi would be upset if people walked away from what we worked for, for 28 years."
Rollins said that Tabachnikoff's greatest strength as a spiritual leader was that he was there, always available, in good times and - in particular - not so good times.
"I think he touched everybody in the way he conducted himself and was there for people when they needed him," Rollins said.
"The staff is holding up and continuing to do what we have to do which is what he would have wanted us to do.
We're marching on, we have no choice."
Tabachnikoff is survived by his wife, Paula, his son Adam and daughter-in-law Eva; son Jonathan, daughtter-in-law Rabbi Debbi Till, and their son Zachary.
Some 1,500 people attended Tabachnikoff's service on Thursday, Nov. 13. Bet Breira is located at 9400 SW 87th Avenue in Miami.
_________________________
OBITUARY
RABBI BARRY TABACHNIKOFF BELOVED TEMPLE LEADER, 61, WAS FOUNDER OF BET BREIRA
Miami Herald November 12, 2003
Rabbi Barry Tabachnikoff was never one to avoid trying something new to keep Judaism alive.
He founded Congregation Bet Breira out of a church in 1975 - and kept meeting at Killian Pines United Methodist until the congregation built a temple eight years later at Galloway Road and Southwest 94th Street in Dade County.
"We have to live in the now," he once told The Herald.
On Tuesday, his congregation, staff and family were in a state of shock. Tabachnikoff, who had lived so vividly, died that morning of a heart attack. He was 61.
"He was an institution - he was Bet Breira," said Debbie Rollins, the Reform congregation's executive director.
"He was the most positive, affable, uplifting person I have ever known," added former Miami News editor Howard Kleinberg, who has belonged to Bet Breira for 20 years.
"I don't know of anybody who didn't think the world of him."
Tabachnikoff was a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami and founding president of the South Dade Rabbinic Association.
He also strongly supported Israel.
"He loved Israel and took over 30 groups to Israel," said his wife, Paula.
In 1987 and 1992, he was a delegate to the World Zionist Convention in Jerusalem, and he was chairman of the International Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference in Israel in 1989.
The following year, he delivered the invocation at the opening session of Israel's Congress, in recognition of his leadership role in the Jewish community.
Tabachnikoff also advocated interfaith dialogue, serving as chairman of the local chapter of what was then called the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Just after the 9/11 attacks, Tabachnikoff helped organize an ecumenical service, "We Are All In It Together," that united 150 Christians, Jews, Hindus and Muslims from the Kendall area to sing and pray together.
"All the colors of the rainbow, all the facets of the community are here," Tabachnikoff said at the time.
Tabachnikoff started his congregation after serving on the staff of Temple Israel of Greater Miami. He quickly became known as a rabbi who reached out to all.
"He gave his heart, all his time, to whoever was in need," said his longtime close friend Rabbi Howard Shapiro of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach. "I don't think he knew the word no."
Tabachnikoff adapted to not having a permanent home: Until Bet Breira built a temple in 1983, the congregation stored prayer books and a portable ark in the church's back closet.
Later, he invited Unity Center of Miami to hold its Sunday services in the temple.
Under his leadership, Bet Breira reached out to Muslims in South Florida. Seven years before 9/11, his temple hosted an eight-week, standing-room-only course on Islam.
"He wanted to build bridges of understanding - if you know people you are less afraid of them," his wife said.
He was ordained in 1968 at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and was awarded an honorary degree of doctor of divinity in 1993.
Thirty years after Tabachnikoff's ordination, his son Jonathan followed in his footsteps. He was ordained at Hebrew Union College in 1998.
In addition to his wife and son, Tabachnikoff is survived by his son Adam and daughter-in-law Eva; Jonathan's wife, Rabbi Debbi Till; and their son, Zachary Micah.
Service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Congregation Bet Breira, 9400 SW 87th Ave.
_________________________
The rabbi featured on this Find A Grave page is one of many included in a "Virtual Cemetery" of rabbis who've passed but who served on St. Louis pulpits during their rabbinate. The complete "Virtual Cemetery" list can be found at SAINT LOUIS RABBIS. Questions about this "Virtual Cemetery" project may be directed to:
Steven Weinreich
Email: [email protected]
_________________________
RABBINIC CHRONOLOGY:
1963
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts
1963-1968
Pulpits Served as a Student Rabbi:
Cincinnati, Ohio
Victoria, Texas
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1968
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
Rabbi Ordination
1968-1970
Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis, MO
Assistant Rabbi
1970-1975
Temple Israel, Miami, FL
Assistant Rabbi
1975-2003
Founded and Lead Congregation Bet Breira
Miami, FL
1993
Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity
_________________________
Rabbi Tabachnikoff visited Israel more than 40 times during his rabbinate. At least 30 of those trips were accompanied by local groups or families of temple congregants and others.
He also published two books:
Time to Rhyme Fun Book, Schengold Press, 1975
The Long Journey, Miami-Dade Community College, 1977
_________________________
RABBI'S RECOLLECTIONS
Letter of July 10, 1978
Written to Diana Kline, Congregation Shaare Emeth
......"Here is one of my vivid memories while at Shaare Emeth. A grandmother of a Bat Mitzvah celebrant from B'nai Amoona, confusing our respective institutions, walked to the back to the Rabbi's Study at Shaare Emeth and demanded to see her grandchild before services began. The scene was from "The Twilight Zone" when she was informed that we don't have any Bat Mitzvah celebrations."
_________________________
NEWS ARTICLE
RABBI'S MISSION WILL GO ON
Miami Herald
by Michael W. Sasser
Dateline: Miami, FL Nov. 17, 2003
Last week's untimely death of Rabbi Barry Tabichnikoff won't deter the congregation he founded from continuing the Rabbi's positive, inclusive mission.
"Everybody is shocked and at the same time committed to continue [Tabachnikoff's] mission and continue practicing the things he taught us," said Rabbi Jaime Aklepi, associate rabbi of Congregation Bet Breira. "He was such a tremendous teacher that even in death he is still teaching us."
Tabachnikoff, 61, died of a heart attack on the morning of Tuesday, November 10. Sources close to the rabbi said he had not been ill and that the congregation, friends and family were shocked.
"I think there is this sense of disbelief among congregants," Aklepi said.
For almost 30 years, Tabachnikoff was a powerful voice in Reform Judaism and in the South Florida community. He founded Bet Breira in 1975 and led the congregation for years at temporary sites, until the south Miami-Dade county synagogue could be constructed.
Tabachnikoff was a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami and founding president of the South Dade Rabbinic Association. He was a delegate to the World Zionist Convention twice and was chair of Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference in 1989. Tabachnikoff, who was ordained in 1968 at Hebrew Union College, was also deeply involved in interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue.
Aklepi said that she has been deeply affected by Tabachnikoff, since she joined Bet Breira almost seven years ago.
"He was a true mentor in that he encouraged an exchange of ideas and experiences and was a true friend who cared not only about your time at work, but you - the whole person," she said. "He modeled his life to be good and honest. He lived with the idea that life is a blessing, every moment. I think that's one of the most important things he taught me."
Even though he is gone, Aklepi said that she is sure that the congregation would carry on with his mission of peace, dialogue and bridge building.
"I absolutely believe that we will remain healthy and strong," Aklepi said. "He created the environment here and retains such a strong presence that will continue to lead us." Bet Breiea's Executive Director Debbie Rollins agreed.
"Absolutely we will go on," Rollins said. "That's what we're all wishing for. I think rabbi would be upset if people walked away from what we worked for, for 28 years."
Rollins said that Tabachnikoff's greatest strength as a spiritual leader was that he was there, always available, in good times and - in particular - not so good times.
"I think he touched everybody in the way he conducted himself and was there for people when they needed him," Rollins said.
"The staff is holding up and continuing to do what we have to do which is what he would have wanted us to do.
We're marching on, we have no choice."
Tabachnikoff is survived by his wife, Paula, his son Adam and daughter-in-law Eva; son Jonathan, daughtter-in-law Rabbi Debbi Till, and their son Zachary.
Some 1,500 people attended Tabachnikoff's service on Thursday, Nov. 13. Bet Breira is located at 9400 SW 87th Avenue in Miami.
_________________________
OBITUARY
RABBI BARRY TABACHNIKOFF BELOVED TEMPLE LEADER, 61, WAS FOUNDER OF BET BREIRA
Miami Herald November 12, 2003
Rabbi Barry Tabachnikoff was never one to avoid trying something new to keep Judaism alive.
He founded Congregation Bet Breira out of a church in 1975 - and kept meeting at Killian Pines United Methodist until the congregation built a temple eight years later at Galloway Road and Southwest 94th Street in Dade County.
"We have to live in the now," he once told The Herald.
On Tuesday, his congregation, staff and family were in a state of shock. Tabachnikoff, who had lived so vividly, died that morning of a heart attack. He was 61.
"He was an institution - he was Bet Breira," said Debbie Rollins, the Reform congregation's executive director.
"He was the most positive, affable, uplifting person I have ever known," added former Miami News editor Howard Kleinberg, who has belonged to Bet Breira for 20 years.
"I don't know of anybody who didn't think the world of him."
Tabachnikoff was a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami and founding president of the South Dade Rabbinic Association.
He also strongly supported Israel.
"He loved Israel and took over 30 groups to Israel," said his wife, Paula.
In 1987 and 1992, he was a delegate to the World Zionist Convention in Jerusalem, and he was chairman of the International Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference in Israel in 1989.
The following year, he delivered the invocation at the opening session of Israel's Congress, in recognition of his leadership role in the Jewish community.
Tabachnikoff also advocated interfaith dialogue, serving as chairman of the local chapter of what was then called the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Just after the 9/11 attacks, Tabachnikoff helped organize an ecumenical service, "We Are All In It Together," that united 150 Christians, Jews, Hindus and Muslims from the Kendall area to sing and pray together.
"All the colors of the rainbow, all the facets of the community are here," Tabachnikoff said at the time.
Tabachnikoff started his congregation after serving on the staff of Temple Israel of Greater Miami. He quickly became known as a rabbi who reached out to all.
"He gave his heart, all his time, to whoever was in need," said his longtime close friend Rabbi Howard Shapiro of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach. "I don't think he knew the word no."
Tabachnikoff adapted to not having a permanent home: Until Bet Breira built a temple in 1983, the congregation stored prayer books and a portable ark in the church's back closet.
Later, he invited Unity Center of Miami to hold its Sunday services in the temple.
Under his leadership, Bet Breira reached out to Muslims in South Florida. Seven years before 9/11, his temple hosted an eight-week, standing-room-only course on Islam.
"He wanted to build bridges of understanding - if you know people you are less afraid of them," his wife said.
He was ordained in 1968 at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and was awarded an honorary degree of doctor of divinity in 1993.
Thirty years after Tabachnikoff's ordination, his son Jonathan followed in his footsteps. He was ordained at Hebrew Union College in 1998.
In addition to his wife and son, Tabachnikoff is survived by his son Adam and daughter-in-law Eva; Jonathan's wife, Rabbi Debbi Till; and their son, Zachary Micah.
Service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Congregation Bet Breira, 9400 SW 87th Ave.
_________________________
The rabbi featured on this Find A Grave page is one of many included in a "Virtual Cemetery" of rabbis who've passed but who served on St. Louis pulpits during their rabbinate. The complete "Virtual Cemetery" list can be found at SAINT LOUIS RABBIS. Questions about this "Virtual Cemetery" project may be directed to:
Steven Weinreich
Email: [email protected]
Rabbi Tabachnikoff served Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis, Missouri as associate rabbi for over 2 years (1968-1970) and he is listed along with other rabbis who served St. Louis congregations. The full list can be found at SAINT LOUIS RABBIS.
_________________________
RABBINIC CHRONOLOGY:
1963
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts
1963-1968
Pulpits Served as a Student Rabbi:
Cincinnati, Ohio
Victoria, Texas
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1968
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
Rabbi Ordination
1968-1970
Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis, MO
Assistant Rabbi
1970-1975
Temple Israel, Miami, FL
Assistant Rabbi
1975-2003
Founded and Lead Congregation Bet Breira
Miami, FL
1993
Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity
_________________________
Rabbi Tabachnikoff visited Israel more than 40 times during his rabbinate. At least 30 of those trips were accompanied by local groups or families of temple congregants and others.
He also published two books:
Time to Rhyme Fun Book, Schengold Press, 1975
The Long Journey, Miami-Dade Community College, 1977
_________________________
RABBI'S RECOLLECTIONS
Letter of July 10, 1978
Written to Diana Kline, Congregation Shaare Emeth
......"Here is one of my vivid memories while at Shaare Emeth. A grandmother of a Bat Mitzvah celebrant from B'nai Amoona, confusing our respective institutions, walked to the back to the Rabbi's Study at Shaare Emeth and demanded to see her grandchild before services began. The scene was from "The Twilight Zone" when she was informed that we don't have any Bat Mitzvah celebrations."
_________________________
NEWS ARTICLE
RABBI'S MISSION WILL GO ON
Miami Herald
by Michael W. Sasser
Dateline: Miami, FL Nov. 17, 2003
Last week's untimely death of Rabbi Barry Tabichnikoff won't deter the congregation he founded from continuing the Rabbi's positive, inclusive mission.
"Everybody is shocked and at the same time committed to continue [Tabachnikoff's] mission and continue practicing the things he taught us," said Rabbi Jaime Aklepi, associate rabbi of Congregation Bet Breira. "He was such a tremendous teacher that even in death he is still teaching us."
Tabachnikoff, 61, died of a heart attack on the morning of Tuesday, November 10. Sources close to the rabbi said he had not been ill and that the congregation, friends and family were shocked.
"I think there is this sense of disbelief among congregants," Aklepi said.
For almost 30 years, Tabachnikoff was a powerful voice in Reform Judaism and in the South Florida community. He founded Bet Breira in 1975 and led the congregation for years at temporary sites, until the south Miami-Dade county synagogue could be constructed.
Tabachnikoff was a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami and founding president of the South Dade Rabbinic Association. He was a delegate to the World Zionist Convention twice and was chair of Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference in 1989. Tabachnikoff, who was ordained in 1968 at Hebrew Union College, was also deeply involved in interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue.
Aklepi said that she has been deeply affected by Tabachnikoff, since she joined Bet Breira almost seven years ago.
"He was a true mentor in that he encouraged an exchange of ideas and experiences and was a true friend who cared not only about your time at work, but you - the whole person," she said. "He modeled his life to be good and honest. He lived with the idea that life is a blessing, every moment. I think that's one of the most important things he taught me."
Even though he is gone, Aklepi said that she is sure that the congregation would carry on with his mission of peace, dialogue and bridge building.
"I absolutely believe that we will remain healthy and strong," Aklepi said. "He created the environment here and retains such a strong presence that will continue to lead us." Bet Breiea's Executive Director Debbie Rollins agreed.
"Absolutely we will go on," Rollins said. "That's what we're all wishing for. I think rabbi would be upset if people walked away from what we worked for, for 28 years."
Rollins said that Tabachnikoff's greatest strength as a spiritual leader was that he was there, always available, in good times and - in particular - not so good times.
"I think he touched everybody in the way he conducted himself and was there for people when they needed him," Rollins said.
"The staff is holding up and continuing to do what we have to do which is what he would have wanted us to do.
We're marching on, we have no choice."
Tabachnikoff is survived by his wife, Paula, his son Adam and daughter-in-law Eva; son Jonathan, daughtter-in-law Rabbi Debbi Till, and their son Zachary.
Some 1,500 people attended Tabachnikoff's service on Thursday, Nov. 13. Bet Breira is located at 9400 SW 87th Avenue in Miami.
_________________________
OBITUARY
RABBI BARRY TABACHNIKOFF BELOVED TEMPLE LEADER, 61, WAS FOUNDER OF BET BREIRA
Miami Herald November 12, 2003
Rabbi Barry Tabachnikoff was never one to avoid trying something new to keep Judaism alive.
He founded Congregation Bet Breira out of a church in 1975 - and kept meeting at Killian Pines United Methodist until the congregation built a temple eight years later at Galloway Road and Southwest 94th Street in Dade County.
"We have to live in the now," he once told The Herald.
On Tuesday, his congregation, staff and family were in a state of shock. Tabachnikoff, who had lived so vividly, died that morning of a heart attack. He was 61.
"He was an institution - he was Bet Breira," said Debbie Rollins, the Reform congregation's executive director.
"He was the most positive, affable, uplifting person I have ever known," added former Miami News editor Howard Kleinberg, who has belonged to Bet Breira for 20 years.
"I don't know of anybody who didn't think the world of him."
Tabachnikoff was a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami and founding president of the South Dade Rabbinic Association.
He also strongly supported Israel.
"He loved Israel and took over 30 groups to Israel," said his wife, Paula.
In 1987 and 1992, he was a delegate to the World Zionist Convention in Jerusalem, and he was chairman of the International Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference in Israel in 1989.
The following year, he delivered the invocation at the opening session of Israel's Congress, in recognition of his leadership role in the Jewish community.
Tabachnikoff also advocated interfaith dialogue, serving as chairman of the local chapter of what was then called the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Just after the 9/11 attacks, Tabachnikoff helped organize an ecumenical service, "We Are All In It Together," that united 150 Christians, Jews, Hindus and Muslims from the Kendall area to sing and pray together.
"All the colors of the rainbow, all the facets of the community are here," Tabachnikoff said at the time.
Tabachnikoff started his congregation after serving on the staff of Temple Israel of Greater Miami. He quickly became known as a rabbi who reached out to all.
"He gave his heart, all his time, to whoever was in need," said his longtime close friend Rabbi Howard Shapiro of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach. "I don't think he knew the word no."
Tabachnikoff adapted to not having a permanent home: Until Bet Breira built a temple in 1983, the congregation stored prayer books and a portable ark in the church's back closet.
Later, he invited Unity Center of Miami to hold its Sunday services in the temple.
Under his leadership, Bet Breira reached out to Muslims in South Florida. Seven years before 9/11, his temple hosted an eight-week, standing-room-only course on Islam.
"He wanted to build bridges of understanding - if you know people you are less afraid of them," his wife said.
He was ordained in 1968 at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and was awarded an honorary degree of doctor of divinity in 1993.
Thirty years after Tabachnikoff's ordination, his son Jonathan followed in his footsteps. He was ordained at Hebrew Union College in 1998.
In addition to his wife and son, Tabachnikoff is survived by his son Adam and daughter-in-law Eva; Jonathan's wife, Rabbi Debbi Till; and their son, Zachary Micah.
Service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Congregation Bet Breira, 9400 SW 87th Ave.
_________________________
The rabbi featured on this Find A Grave page is one of many included in a "Virtual Cemetery" of rabbis who've passed but who served on St. Louis pulpits during their rabbinate. The complete "Virtual Cemetery" list can be found at SAINT LOUIS RABBIS. Questions about this "Virtual Cemetery" project may be directed to:
Steven Weinreich
Email: [email protected]
_________________________
RABBINIC CHRONOLOGY:
1963
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts
1963-1968
Pulpits Served as a Student Rabbi:
Cincinnati, Ohio
Victoria, Texas
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1968
Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion
Rabbi Ordination
1968-1970
Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis, MO
Assistant Rabbi
1970-1975
Temple Israel, Miami, FL
Assistant Rabbi
1975-2003
Founded and Lead Congregation Bet Breira
Miami, FL
1993
Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity
_________________________
Rabbi Tabachnikoff visited Israel more than 40 times during his rabbinate. At least 30 of those trips were accompanied by local groups or families of temple congregants and others.
He also published two books:
Time to Rhyme Fun Book, Schengold Press, 1975
The Long Journey, Miami-Dade Community College, 1977
_________________________
RABBI'S RECOLLECTIONS
Letter of July 10, 1978
Written to Diana Kline, Congregation Shaare Emeth
......"Here is one of my vivid memories while at Shaare Emeth. A grandmother of a Bat Mitzvah celebrant from B'nai Amoona, confusing our respective institutions, walked to the back to the Rabbi's Study at Shaare Emeth and demanded to see her grandchild before services began. The scene was from "The Twilight Zone" when she was informed that we don't have any Bat Mitzvah celebrations."
_________________________
NEWS ARTICLE
RABBI'S MISSION WILL GO ON
Miami Herald
by Michael W. Sasser
Dateline: Miami, FL Nov. 17, 2003
Last week's untimely death of Rabbi Barry Tabichnikoff won't deter the congregation he founded from continuing the Rabbi's positive, inclusive mission.
"Everybody is shocked and at the same time committed to continue [Tabachnikoff's] mission and continue practicing the things he taught us," said Rabbi Jaime Aklepi, associate rabbi of Congregation Bet Breira. "He was such a tremendous teacher that even in death he is still teaching us."
Tabachnikoff, 61, died of a heart attack on the morning of Tuesday, November 10. Sources close to the rabbi said he had not been ill and that the congregation, friends and family were shocked.
"I think there is this sense of disbelief among congregants," Aklepi said.
For almost 30 years, Tabachnikoff was a powerful voice in Reform Judaism and in the South Florida community. He founded Bet Breira in 1975 and led the congregation for years at temporary sites, until the south Miami-Dade county synagogue could be constructed.
Tabachnikoff was a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami and founding president of the South Dade Rabbinic Association. He was a delegate to the World Zionist Convention twice and was chair of Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference in 1989. Tabachnikoff, who was ordained in 1968 at Hebrew Union College, was also deeply involved in interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue.
Aklepi said that she has been deeply affected by Tabachnikoff, since she joined Bet Breira almost seven years ago.
"He was a true mentor in that he encouraged an exchange of ideas and experiences and was a true friend who cared not only about your time at work, but you - the whole person," she said. "He modeled his life to be good and honest. He lived with the idea that life is a blessing, every moment. I think that's one of the most important things he taught me."
Even though he is gone, Aklepi said that she is sure that the congregation would carry on with his mission of peace, dialogue and bridge building.
"I absolutely believe that we will remain healthy and strong," Aklepi said. "He created the environment here and retains such a strong presence that will continue to lead us." Bet Breiea's Executive Director Debbie Rollins agreed.
"Absolutely we will go on," Rollins said. "That's what we're all wishing for. I think rabbi would be upset if people walked away from what we worked for, for 28 years."
Rollins said that Tabachnikoff's greatest strength as a spiritual leader was that he was there, always available, in good times and - in particular - not so good times.
"I think he touched everybody in the way he conducted himself and was there for people when they needed him," Rollins said.
"The staff is holding up and continuing to do what we have to do which is what he would have wanted us to do.
We're marching on, we have no choice."
Tabachnikoff is survived by his wife, Paula, his son Adam and daughter-in-law Eva; son Jonathan, daughtter-in-law Rabbi Debbi Till, and their son Zachary.
Some 1,500 people attended Tabachnikoff's service on Thursday, Nov. 13. Bet Breira is located at 9400 SW 87th Avenue in Miami.
_________________________
OBITUARY
RABBI BARRY TABACHNIKOFF BELOVED TEMPLE LEADER, 61, WAS FOUNDER OF BET BREIRA
Miami Herald November 12, 2003
Rabbi Barry Tabachnikoff was never one to avoid trying something new to keep Judaism alive.
He founded Congregation Bet Breira out of a church in 1975 - and kept meeting at Killian Pines United Methodist until the congregation built a temple eight years later at Galloway Road and Southwest 94th Street in Dade County.
"We have to live in the now," he once told The Herald.
On Tuesday, his congregation, staff and family were in a state of shock. Tabachnikoff, who had lived so vividly, died that morning of a heart attack. He was 61.
"He was an institution - he was Bet Breira," said Debbie Rollins, the Reform congregation's executive director.
"He was the most positive, affable, uplifting person I have ever known," added former Miami News editor Howard Kleinberg, who has belonged to Bet Breira for 20 years.
"I don't know of anybody who didn't think the world of him."
Tabachnikoff was a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Miami and founding president of the South Dade Rabbinic Association.
He also strongly supported Israel.
"He loved Israel and took over 30 groups to Israel," said his wife, Paula.
In 1987 and 1992, he was a delegate to the World Zionist Convention in Jerusalem, and he was chairman of the International Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference in Israel in 1989.
The following year, he delivered the invocation at the opening session of Israel's Congress, in recognition of his leadership role in the Jewish community.
Tabachnikoff also advocated interfaith dialogue, serving as chairman of the local chapter of what was then called the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Just after the 9/11 attacks, Tabachnikoff helped organize an ecumenical service, "We Are All In It Together," that united 150 Christians, Jews, Hindus and Muslims from the Kendall area to sing and pray together.
"All the colors of the rainbow, all the facets of the community are here," Tabachnikoff said at the time.
Tabachnikoff started his congregation after serving on the staff of Temple Israel of Greater Miami. He quickly became known as a rabbi who reached out to all.
"He gave his heart, all his time, to whoever was in need," said his longtime close friend Rabbi Howard Shapiro of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach. "I don't think he knew the word no."
Tabachnikoff adapted to not having a permanent home: Until Bet Breira built a temple in 1983, the congregation stored prayer books and a portable ark in the church's back closet.
Later, he invited Unity Center of Miami to hold its Sunday services in the temple.
Under his leadership, Bet Breira reached out to Muslims in South Florida. Seven years before 9/11, his temple hosted an eight-week, standing-room-only course on Islam.
"He wanted to build bridges of understanding - if you know people you are less afraid of them," his wife said.
He was ordained in 1968 at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and was awarded an honorary degree of doctor of divinity in 1993.
Thirty years after Tabachnikoff's ordination, his son Jonathan followed in his footsteps. He was ordained at Hebrew Union College in 1998.
In addition to his wife and son, Tabachnikoff is survived by his son Adam and daughter-in-law Eva; Jonathan's wife, Rabbi Debbi Till; and their son, Zachary Micah.
Service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Congregation Bet Breira, 9400 SW 87th Ave.
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The rabbi featured on this Find A Grave page is one of many included in a "Virtual Cemetery" of rabbis who've passed but who served on St. Louis pulpits during their rabbinate. The complete "Virtual Cemetery" list can be found at SAINT LOUIS RABBIS. Questions about this "Virtual Cemetery" project may be directed to:
Steven Weinreich
Email: [email protected]
Sponsored by Ancestry
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