Temple Beth Torah Celebrates Rabbi Beal’s 10 Years of Leadership

Rabbi Brian Beal joined Temple Beth Torah in Upper Nyack 10 years ago. Now the temple is celebrating that anniversary with a special musical service honoring him on Friday night at 7:30 pm. The service and a benefit Comedy Night on Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30 pm also pay tribute to Eva Steen, a past-president of the Temple board.

The adult and children’s choirs will sing at the Friday night service and a new musical piece written by Samuel Adler in Rabbi Beal’s honor will be premiered.

Rabbi Beal says this weekend’s planned events are very special for him.

“I am humbled. I am honored and blessed," Beal said. "I consider it an opportunity for the entire community to celebrate who we are and who we continue to be.”

Beal explains he and his wife, Naomi Adler, had specific criteria when he was searching for a clergy position.

“My wife and I were looking for a community that we would want to be part of if I was not a rabbi," Beal said. "We sought a place where our then 1-year-old son would be immersed in the beautiful values and ideals that Reform Judaism has to offer. Temple Beth Torah had a reputation of being a warm and welcoming congregation dedicated to community service.  Each opportunity we had to meet the leadership and membership was positive.”

Beal joined Temple Beth Torah after serving as associate rabbi at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan, NJ, for three years. He originally served as assistant rabbi there after being ordained in 1998. He attended seminary at Hebrew Union College, receiving a Masters in Hebrew Letters in 1997. The Hazlet, NJ, native did his undergraduate work at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, graduated Magna Cum Laude and stayed for seven years as a professional fundraiser for the college.

Beal believes in the value of lifelong learning and shares that with students of all ages. He teaches adult education mini-courses and holds Taste of Torah sessions before Saturday morning Shabbat services. When he first arrived at Temple Beth Torah, he reorganized the youth program from third grade through high school. He makes frequent appearances in the Religious School to guest teach, tell stories and stay involved with the programming. Beal is the primary teacher for the 10th grade Confirmation class and 11th and 12th grade Post-Confirmation Program.  

Beal feels the temple’s strong values have helped its membership of 340 families to be maintained through a period of changing conditions in the region.

“Rockland County's Reform Jewish community has seen a significant change over the past 10 years, with affiliation county-wide dropping off significantly due to factors including the economy and demographic shifts,” he says. “Temple Beth Torah remains proud that despite the challenges beyond our control, we have experienced a stable membership during this period of time and we have enjoyed many wonderful programming achievements along the way.”

Beal is active with many organizations around the county. He serves as chaplain of the Valley Cottage Fire Department and a coach of the 8-and-Under Clarkstown Stars travel baseball team. He has been chair of the Nyack Interfaith Clergy Association and a member of the Nyack Hospital and United Hospice of Rockland ethics committees.

His rabbinic thesis “Judaism and the Twelve Steps” provides opportunities for him to work one-on-one with Jews recovering from addiction. The rabbi supports the Temple’s social action and social justice programming which include participation in the Helping Hands Coalition and housing the homeless a few days each month. 

His involvement as a volunteer and speaker at local not-for-profits includes the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Federation of Rockland County, Volunteer Counseling Service, Rockland Family Shelter, People-to-People, Jawonio, NAMI-FAMILYA of Rockland County and Nyack Hospital. 

Beal is encouraged as he looks to the temple's future and attributes that to Cantor Sally Neff, who has been his colleague for seven years, and all the people who have formed close ties with TBT.

“We have a great team at Temple Beth Torah — volunteers, clergy and staff — and my hope is that the next 10 years will bring continued opportunities to celebrate together, support one another, engage in serious learning, and participate in meaningful community service that helps make our corner of the world a little brighter,” said Beal.

Rabbi Beal and Naomi Adler were married in 1998. The Nanuet residents have three sons, Joshua, Benjamin and Ari. Adler is president and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam counties.

Saturday night’s event features comedians Tom Ryan, who has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, and Brad Zimmerman, who has performed at Caroline’s, The Friars Club and The Riviera. The evening includes a silent auction and wine and cheese. Contact the Temple Beth Torah office for information and to purchase tickets at 845-358-2248. Tickets cost $18 in advance and $23 at the door. The event is for adults 21 years and older.