Clergy

Rabbi Aviva Bass grew up in Broward County, Florida, immersed in Jewish life and the performing arts. A classically trained soprano, she earned her B.A. in Music with a double major in Judaic Studies from the University of Miami, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She went on to receive rabbinic ordination and an M.A. in Hebrew Letters from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) in Pennsylvania and holds an M.A. in Jewish Education from Gratz College. In recognition of her twenty-five years of service in the rabbinate, she was recently conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree by RRC.

Rabbi Bass has brought her unique blend of scholarship, song, and spirituality to congregations across the United States,
as well as in Australasia. Whether leading worship, teaching, or offering pastoral care, she is known for her warmth, compassion, and ability to connect deeply with those around her.

Rabbi Bass is dually affiliated with the Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform) and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (Reconstructing Judaism). With a passion for music, education, and creative expression Rabbi Bass aims to foster a Judaism that is inclusive, relevant, and contemporary while also rooted in tradition. Off the bimah, she finds joy in singing, dancing, and spending time with her mother Iris, her Havanese mix, Gidget, and her twin young-adult sons, Rafi and Angelo.

Originally from Southern California, Cantor Eryka Velazquez swapped coasts to pursue her dream of becoming a cantor.

She achieved this dream and was ordained as a Hazzan at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Music and singing have always played a major role in her life, and she utilizes the power of prayer and song to connect present-day Jews with ancient Jewish traditions.

Having a deep love for teaching, Cantor Eryka also graduated from the William Davidson School of Jewish Education. During her time at JTS, she has taught music, liturgy, b’nei mitzvah, and Judaica at Camp Ramah Wisconsin, Park Avenue Synagogue, South Huntington Jewish Center, and the Women’s League of Conservative Judaism. Off the bimah, you'll    most likely find Cantor Eryka at a Broadway show with her husband, Cantor Gil Ezring, or singing Shema to their daughter. 

A graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Rabbi Elliot Skiddell also received a BA in Philosophy and Religion from the University of Massachusetts and an MA in Religion from Temple University. In 2005 he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree (Honoris Causa) by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.

Rabbi Skiddell came to Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Emeth, Hewlett, in August 2006 after living in Israel for many years. In Israel he was assistant director of the seminar center of the Galilee Education Foundation and then joined the staff of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Prior to moving to Israel he served as Assistant Rabbi of Har Zion Temple, Penn Valley, Pennsylvania and then as Rabbi of Ramat Shalom Synagogue in Plantation, Florida.

He led Congregation Beth Emeth through the creation of a partnership with Central Synagogue of Nassau County, Rockville Centre that began with cohabitation and developed from cooperation to collaboration and consolidation as Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth. In August 2020, Rabbi Skiddell was granted the title of Rabbi Emeritus.