New student rabbi to lead high holy day services at North Fork Reform Synagogue

Student Rabbi Bethie Miller, who started work with North Fork Reform Synagogue last Friday, will lead high holy days services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Miller brings an eclectic background to her calling. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Williams College with a concentration in environmental studies. Then she completed a year’s study in city planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s international honors program. That included travel to England, Tanzania, India, the Philippines and Mexico.

She was a seventh grade teacher and Hebrew instructor at the East End Temple in Manhattan where the curriculum focuses on social justice, community building and Holocaust education. She has also worked for Temple Israel of Boston and D..C. Greenworks and Friends of the Earth in the nation’s capital.

She is currently completing her rabbinical studies at Hebrew Union College in New York City.

Cantor Marcy Smith is returning this month to lead the musical observance for the high holy days services. Accompanying the cantor will be pianist Mark Toback.

Rosh Hashanah services are set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. at the building the congregation shares with Cutchogue Presbyterian Church. The traditional Taschlik, throwing away of sins, takes place at the New Suffolk pier following the morning service.

Yom Kippur services begin on Friday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. and continue on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. Barbara Sheryll will lead special children’s services a half an hour after the other services begin.

A traditional meal to break the fast after the Saturday service will follow.

Services are open to the community, but reservations are necessary for the meal to break the Yom Kippur fast. Call 734-2786 or 734-2096 or email [email protected].