Leadership
Officers 2025-2026
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Yale Freeman, President
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Seth Jacobs, 1st Vice President
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Linda Kaplan 2nd Vice President
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Craig Littauer, Secretary
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Charles Egan, Treasurer
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Henry Luban, Past President
Shir Shalom Staff
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Cy Stanway, Rabbi
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Gracie Gibson, Office Administratoor
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Stella Stanway, Religious School Director
Trustees
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Corin Warinner
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Jonah Zinn
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Adela Beckerman
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Toby Hunter
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Randy Kraft
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Jennifer Meiselman Titus
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Nancy Parks
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Sonya Stahl
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Lisa Zumberg
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Mark Zumberg
Mission Statement
Temple Shir Shalom is an inclusive Reform Jewish congregation located in Gainesville, Florida, home of the University of Florida. Our members and friends engage meaningfully with one another and the broader community through social events, worship, study and social action.
Rabbi Cy Stanway
With a career spanning over three decades, Rabbi Stanway brings depth of experience, thoughtful leadership style, and heartfelt dedication to building a vibrant Jewish community.
Rabbi Stanway most recently served as Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Miriam in Elberon, New Jersey, where he was known for his inclusive approach and deep engagement in Jewish learning. A lifelong educator and compassionate leader, he meets individuals and families where they are—offering wisdom, comfort, and connection in both joyful and challenging moments.
As our community enters this period of transition, Rabbi Stanway will help guide us with clarity, warmth, and a deep sense of purpose. He is passionate about fostering meaningful spiritual experiences, cultivating dialogue, and ensuring every congregant feels seen and heard.
We are excited for this new chapter and invite you to connect with Rabbi Stanway at upcoming services, programs, and community events. Please join us in giving him a warm and heartfelt welcome!
Dear Temple Shir Shalom Congregation,
I am honored and delighted to have been selected as the interim rabbi for Temple Shir Shalom. I hope to build on the wonderful legacy of Rabbi Joseph and continue teaching and worshipping and making Judaism and Jewish life something to celebrate.
In the realm of learning, I have some plans I want to do:
· I have been teaching Talmud, page by page in various masechtot – volumes – for more than 30 years. Adult students love the challenge and love the intellectual stimulation. I would like to continue that. I am thinking about 8 am on Sunday mornings whenever school is in session.
· I will be continuing Rabbi Joseph’s Torah study, of course. I am looking forward to learning with all you.
· As soon as I get to Gainesville, I want to begin an adult Hebrew class that will meet once a week on an agreed-upon date and time. (For the summer, maybe a Sunday morning?) For the children, Stella is formulating other plans.
· I would like to offer a theology class. This year, my plan is to offer a class on Wednesday mornings (?) at 10 am (?) using the text ‘Modern Jews Engage the New Testament.’ You will find it fascinating and eye-opening.
There may be other opportunities for learning and, as the year progresses, let’s see what ideas we all have.
Worship is a unique opportunity for a community to come together. Through prayer and song we reach into ourselves and each other and sense the Presence of the Divine. I will be helping to expand Shir Shalom’s worship music repertoire and services will be haimishe and, hopefully, meaningful, reflective and prayerful. Shir Shalom has some wonderful musicians. I reach out to anyone who can play an instrument and invite them to participate in services. My feeling is that the more instruments in a service, the more joy. My goal is to increase the joy factor!
The most important task of the interim rabbi is to help the congregation throughout the year while it is in process of searching for a full-time rabbi. In other words, my chief task is to help you define and build your future and choose the leader and teacher you want.
As you know, Stella Jeruzalmi Stanway, my wife, will be joining me for the year. In an unbelievable stroke of good luck, Shir Shalom also needed a religious school director. Stella is highly qualified for that role. She will be administering the religious school for the year and lay an even stronger foundation for the future. Of course, as we get closer to our arrival, Stella will communicate her vision and plans for the school.
You may have heard that I am always available. This is true. I hope you reach out any time you need something or have a question.
To say that Stella and I are enthusiastic about the upcoming year in Gainesville is an understatement. We are truly thrilled to be serving you and being welcomed to your temple family and community.
Please reach out a say hello.
L’shalom vy’diddute…
Rabbi Cy Stanway