Rabbi Ira Ebbin

Congregation Ohav Sholom, Merrick, NY

Feb 23, 2011

Rabbi Ira Ebbin currently serves as the spiritual leader of Congregation Ohav Sholom in Merrick, Long Island, a shul with 320 member families from very diverse backgrounds. Rabbi Ebbin joined this congregation in July of 2010 after serving for three years at the Beth Zion Congregation in Montreal Quebec. Prior to that, he was the Rabbi at the Young Israel of Stamford, CT from 2002-2007. Rabbi Ebbin has also served on the Judaic Studies Faculty at Westchester Day School.

Rabbi Ebbin received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University in 2001. Since then he has completed his Masters’ Degree in Public Administration, for non-profit organizations, at Baruch College in NY. Asked why he pursued this particular Masters he replied, “In order to fill the needs of a religious congregation in today’s world, being a knowledgeable Torah scholar and teacher doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll know how to manage an efficient organization. Working together with lay people and building relationships with individuals and other institutions are key factors in forming the finest product to best fit the needs of your community.”

Both he his wife Chevi (Shurin) grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and they are blessed with three daughters, Shlomit, Shira Nacha, and Anat Shoshana. They recently celebrated the birth of their son, Isaac Roi, in October 2010.