Rabbi is Dr. Janet B. Liss, a spiritual leader who involves herself in every aspect of Temple life, including worship, personal counseling, life cycle observances, and study programs. Rabbi Liss teaches our Confirmation Class and our Post Confirmation Class and many different adult education programs.  She is the director of our Hebrew School program. 

Rabbi Liss joined our Congregation in 1996 after having served as the associate Rabbi at Temple Kol Ami in Plantation, Florida. She was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1988. Rabbi Liss has a BA in Jewish Studies from American University, a MA in Hebrew Literature from Columbia University where she completed doctorate course work in Hebrew Language and Literature and a Doctorate of Ministry from Hebrew union College- Jewish Institute of Religion.

Rabbi Liss plays an active role in local and national Jewish and interfaith organizations.  She is president of the North Shore Clergy Group.  She is on the  Community Advisory Board of  North Shore- LIJ Hospital-in Glen Cove, the Community Advisory Board for the BioGene Bank Research Project at the North Shore LIJ Health System and she is currently a Human Rights Commissioner for Nassau County.  Rabbi Liss is active in the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Women’s Rabbinic Network. She is a member of the Long Island Temple Educators organization.

Faryn Kates is a third year cantorial student at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York.  Prior to cantorial school, Faryn served as an instrumental music teacher in the Oakland Public School District, in Oakland, NJ from 2003-2008.  During those same years, Faryn taught in the Family School at Beth Haverim Shir Shalom, in Mahwah, NJ, and later was named the coordinator of the Hebrew High School Kadima program.  Faryn earned her BM in Music Education from Miami University (Ohio) in 2003, and later earned her MA in Music Education from Montclair State University in NJ in 2007. 

Faryn has been an active member of several Jewish communities throughout the tri-state area as well as in Ohio and Mississippi. Most recently, Faryn was the student cantor at Or Chadash Synagogue, in NJ.  Faryn has been the cantorial soloist at Temple Emanuel of North Jersey, the synagogue where she grew up, as well as at Temple Beth Rishon in Wyckoff, NJ, where she has not only been a soloist, but an active member of the choir, participating as a conductor, accompanist, and singer. Additionally, Faryn has been a soloist Temple Beth Israel in Jackson, MS, Beth Israel Synagogue in Hamilton, OH, and had the unique opportunity to participate as a soloist in a cantorial concert in Minsk, Belarus. From 2007-2008, Faryn was the Shabbat co-chairperson on the leadership board for the 20s/30s group at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in NY, NY. 

Faryn grew up in Oakland, NJ, and is the proud aunt of 3 (soon to be 4) nieces and nephews.  Faryn is extremely excited to be joining the NCRT family and really looks forward to meeting you all throughout the year.