Meet Our Spiritual Leaders

Rabbi Irwin Huberman has served Congregation Tifereth Israel since 2006. After a successful career as a journalist and political adviser in Canada, he changed careers and entered rabbinical school in 2004. Rabbi Irwin is a graduate of the Academy of Jewish Religion, a rabbinical seminary that embraces all Jewish denominations. He is also a writer and musician who believes in the words of the Talmud: "The Torah begins with kindness and ends with kindness." This conviction is at the heart of his compassionate and pluralistic approach to Judaism, and is fundamental to CTI's extraordinary growth since his arrival. "We embrace a wide range of traditions, backgrounds and orientations," he says. "Every person and every family has a unique story to tell. Judaism can only become stronger when we share our journeys."

Cantor Gustavo Gitlin and his family moved to Glen Cove from Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2003. He comes from a family of musicians -- his grandfather was a cantor -- and his mother always encouraged him to use his voice and smile as a way into people's hearts. Cantor Gustavo attended cantorial school at Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires. Inspired by the vision of Rabbi Marshal Meyer (Z'L), he is dedicated to bringing people together by building relationships with his charitable soul and warm heart, one person at a time. His rich voice carries profound Jewish melodies and prayers to the deepest corners of people's spirits. His dedication to the North Shore Sheltering Program and visiting the sick (Bikkur Cholim) has helped CTI develop a robust reputation as a congregation with a strong social action tradition of healing the world (Tikkun Olam).