Clergy
Professional Staff
Rabbi Adam Watstein
Young, progressive, articulate and inspired are words used to describe Rabbi Adam Watstein. His early Jewish identity was shaped by his years growing up in Sharon, Massachusetts, then the American town with the highest Jewish density. His rabbinic career has taken him to the West and the Southeast.
Rabbi Watstein became the spiritual leader of B’nai Aviv after receiving smicha from the Jewish Theological Seminary, in New York. He then served as the Associate Rabbi of Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas. In July 2012, he assumed the bima at B’nai Aviv, where his deep spirituality, passion, energy, and advocacy have formed the template for Jewish leadership. His rabbinate has moved the congregation into the forefront of Jewish communal organizations in South Florida.
A fervent believer in “experiential Judaism”, Rabbi Watstein professes Judaism as a way of life, enabling us to live more meaningful and extraordinary lives. His sermons and YouTube videos are profoundly inspirational. As a teacher of both children and adults, he brings historical insights and a unique perspective to a broad spectrum of subjects.
Programming and social action are particular strengths of Rabbi Watstein. He developed and implemented a year-long, family project called the Kehillah Club, which has benefitted Jewish and non-Jewish organizations. Our Kehillah families have participated in a “Library Night”, bringing books to Hispanic children with limited means and “Light the Light”, an annual event for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. They visited the Daniel Cantor Center, spending time with seniors and collecting their memories, and hosted a “Special Olympics” game day. Additionally, Rabbi Watstein has inaugurated other successful and well attended programs such as the High Holy Day Seminar, weekly Torah Talk, and Tot Shabbats.
Rabbi Watstein’s articulate speaking style and his ardent commitment to Judaism have resulted in frequent requests for him to speak publicly. He has graced the podium at a Jewish National Fund breakfast with the JNF’s national spokesman, actor Hal Linden. AIPAC often benefits from his fervent dedication to the State of Israel. He spoke at a community event to rally support for Israel during the conflict in Gaza.
B’nai Aviv is very fortunate to have Rabbi Watstein as the spiritual leader of our diverse and growing family. We are additionally blessed by the involvement of his wife and the presence of their children. As a congregation, we look forward to fulfilling our mission and realizing our vision for the Jewish community under Rabbi Watstein’s astute guidance.
Please visit the Rabbi on Facebook, see hisYoutube Channel videos, and email him at rabbiadamwatstein@bnaiaviv.org
Cantor Sarah Levine
Originally from Cherry Hill, NJ, Cantor Sarah Levine is a proud product of the Conservative movement. The values she learned as a child, inspired her to become a Jewish professional. Cantor Levine has a B.A. in Jewish Studies with a minor in Music from Temple University. Following her time in Philadelphia, she pursued Cantorial Investiture, an M.A. in Sacred Music from the H.L. Miller Cantorial School, and an M.A. in Jewish Education at the Davidson School of Education, both at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
During her time at JTS, Cantor Levine spent a year living in Jerusalem, attended Machon Shechter, interned at Adat Shalom Emanuel in Rechovot, and spent a lot of time traveling the country. During her time in school, she held a number of student positions at JTS such as Jewish Life Director for the Graduate School, Co-Gabbai of the Women’s League Seminary Synagogue, and Cantorial Admissions intern among others. As a student, Cantor Levine held a number of cantorial positions such as leading High Holy Day services at Temple El Emeth in Youngstown, OH, and Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, MD, as well as serving as their cantorial intern. Additionally, she served as Cantor-Educator of Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, MA, where she taught group and private lessons for adult congregants to become proficient in leading Shabbat services. Cantor Levine completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education where she was a chaplain at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Cantor Levine graduated from JTS in 2017 and soon moved to Nashville, TN where she served as the cantor of West End Synagogue.
During the summers, Cantor Levine is on the faculty of Imun, a program run by USCJ to train lay leaders around the country, many who are without clergy. She is an active member of the Cantors Assembly and currently serves on the E.C.
Cantor Emeritus William Lieberman
A beloved and longtime member of B’nai Aviv’s clergy, Hazzan William Lieberman is celebrated for his warmth, compassion, and supportive nature over the past twenty-five years. He touches the lives of every child and member of the congregation, from pre-school students to our elders. We join the Hazzan in commemorating the 43rd anniversary year of his cantorial ordination from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America [JTS].
At B’nai Aviv, “Cantor Bill” (as he is affectionately called) helps build a strong religious and spiritual foundation for our children and adults. He enjoys celebrating b'nai and b'not mitzvah along with all the joyful milestones reached by our students and their families. Hazzan Lieberman is a reassuring presence in times of loss, frequenting supporting families through their week of shiva.
Cantor Lieberman is also distinguished by his many academic achievements. A Brooklyn native, he is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College with a concentration in music performance, a Master of Arts degree in music therapy from Teachers College, Columbia University. Additionally, JTS awarded him a Bachelor of Sacred Music, Diploma of Hazzan and an honorary Doctor of Music degree. Hazzan Lieberman is a recipient of JTS’ prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Exemplary Service. A lyric baritone trained in the art of classical vocal music, he took voice instruction at the Juilliard School with Elizabeth Bishop.
A consummate professional, Hazzan Lieberman takes pride in his four decade membership in the Cantors Assembly, the international organization of Conservative cantors. He has chaired the New Jersey and Southeast Regions of the Assembly, served on its national executive council, co-chaired the 2014 and 2018 national conventions in south Florida, and serves as chair of the Assembly’s Ethics Committee. He is proudly featured on two CD recordings (The Spirit of Israel II and The Best of the Spirit Series) jointly produced by the Cantors Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Cantor Lieberman demonstrates a strong commitment to both the Jewish and greater Weston community. He has been a regular attendee of the City of Weston’s Clergy Breakfast Bunch and has led Birthday Shabbat programs at The David Posnack Jewish Day School, where he also served on its board of directors. The Hazzan participates in community-wide ecumenical and civic events and helped coordinate the former Weston Area Crop Walk to fight local and world hunger.
During the summers, Cantor Bill delights in his positions as Cantor-in-Residence and Co-Director of Jewish Life at Camp Poyntelle, an overnight JCC camp in the Pocono Mountains. His hope is to nurture a legacy of love for Judaism and Jewish music by instilling a sense of joy and appreciation of the arts in all of the campers.
Hazzan Lieberman often performs in concert with his south Florida colleagues. He was twice featured in the Kultur Festival, a scholarly celebration of Jewish music and arts sponsored by Florida Atlantic University. He has been a soloist numerous times at the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial’s annual Yom HaShoah and Kristallnacht commemorations, often performing with the B’nai Aviv adult and youth choirs. Highlights of his professional career include singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” for a nationally televised New Jersey Nets basketball game and “God Bless America” and “Hatikvah” for the Florida Panthers’ “Jewish Heritage Night”.
Cantor Bill is married to Myra, a kindergarten teacher in Weston and an adjunct instructor at Broward College and Nova Southeastern University. They have two daughters, Elaina and Leora (and fiancé, Robert). Hazzan Dr. William Lieberman continues to make B’nai Aviv a binding force in the community and a strong focal point in the daily lives of our congregation.
