Clergy

A gifted cantor, Cantor Samuels inspires his congregants, imbuing in them the ability to listen and awakening a compassionate understanding that we all have the desire to be heard.  His liturgical music embodies his own personal compassion and joy.

As our ambassador of goodwill, Cantor Samuels has served the congregants of Shaare Shamayim since 1980, conducting Shiva visits, making hospital calls, and leading our daily minyans.  His dedication to serve all of our congregants, through the best and worst of our lives, is a testament to a good and noble man.

Don Samuels was educated in Canada, his original home, at the University of Toronto where he received a degree in English Literature.  He then pursued a career in choral conducting and music teaching, bringing theater and Shakespearean music to the schools.  In 1974, Don and his wife, Sylvia, opted to change their lifestyle.  Don enrolled at Yeshiva University to study at the Cantorial Training Institute and the James Strait School of General Jewish Studies.

Don and his wife, Sylvia, are blessed with two children, and 13 grandchildren.

Rabbi Emeritas Arnold H. Feldman (z"l)

Rabbi Feldman was a driving force in making our synagogue the outstanding Jewish house of worship for the Northeast Philadelphia community.  He guided the growth and expansion of our synagogue center and supervised the building of our entire educational complex.  He held the position of Vice President of the Board of Rabbis of Philadelphia, and was a founder of "The Bridge," a drug rehabilitation center for the youth of our area.

Rabbi Feldman and his wife, Carole, are blessed with four children and nine grandchildren.

  Cantor Bernard "Buzzy" Walters

Cantor Bernard Walters has been cantor locally for many years. He serves as Cantor Emeritus at Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell and has served earlier at Beth Tikvah-B'nai Jeshurun in Erdenheim. A native Pittsubrgher, he was trained at the Hillel Academy, the College of Jewish Studies, and studied privately while collaborating on the piano with many cantors, most notably, Cantor Uri Frenkel and Cantor Jacob Barkin. Most recently, he was High Holy Day cantor at Congregation Anshe Emeth in Hudson, NY for fourteen years. His secular education at University of Pittsburgh, Columbia University, and Temple University led to a concurrent careeras English teacher, first a Marple Newtown High School, and then for forty-four years at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. As cantor, he composes and has directed klezmer bands, adult and youth choirs in addition to teaching children and adults. As teacher, he taught AP English for well over thirty years as Creative Writing and comic literature. He currently serves at the cantor for the Egalitarian Service at Congregations of Shaare Shamayim.

He is married to Ellen Walters, proud father of Lori Rubin(Jon) and Jeffrey Walters)Sara) and proud grandfather of Alex, Abby, Hilary Rubin and Andrew and Jason Walters.