Meet Our Clergy
Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs ~ Temple Beth Shalom, Vero Beach, Florida
Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs serves as the Interim Rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Vero Beach. He is Rabbi Emeritus of both Bat Yam, Temple of the Islands, Sanibel, Florida and Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, Connecticut. He is also a former President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism the author of seven books.
Before coming to Congregation Beth Israel, he served first as an intern and then as the first full-time Rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Columbia, Maryland and as Senior Rabbi of The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom in Nashville, Tennessee.
Rabbi Fuchs received his undergraduate degree at Hamilton College in Clinton New York. He holds both Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Hebrew Letters, along with a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Communal Studies and rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He also studied at Ulpan Etzion and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In 1992 he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min) in Biblical Interpretation from Vanderbilt University Divinity School. In 1999 the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) degree. In 2017 Vanderbilt Divinity School named Rabbi Fuchs its “Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. He is the first Jew to receive that honor.
Over the years Rabbi Fuchs has served as an adjunct professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford and the Hartford Seminary. He has also appeared frequently on radio and television to discuss currents events and issues of hunger, health care, the meaning of biblical stories and the similarities and differences between Judaism and other faith traditions.
Rabbi and Mrs. Fuchs are the proud parents of three children and their spouses and nine grandchildren.
Before coming to Congregation Beth Israel, he served first as an intern and then as the first full-time Rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Columbia, Maryland and as Senior Rabbi of The Temple, Congregation Ohabai Sholom in Nashville, Tennessee.
Rabbi Fuchs received his undergraduate degree at Hamilton College in Clinton New York. He holds both Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Hebrew Letters, along with a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Communal Studies and rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He also studied at Ulpan Etzion and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In 1992 he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min) in Biblical Interpretation from Vanderbilt University Divinity School. In 1999 the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) degree. In 2017 Vanderbilt Divinity School named Rabbi Fuchs its “Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. He is the first Jew to receive that honor.
Over the years Rabbi Fuchs has served as an adjunct professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford and the Hartford Seminary. He has also appeared frequently on radio and television to discuss currents events and issues of hunger, health care, the meaning of biblical stories and the similarities and differences between Judaism and other faith traditions.
Rabbi and Mrs. Fuchs are the proud parents of three children and their spouses and nine grandchildren.
Cantor Kelly Onickel ~ Temple Beth Shalom, Vero Beach, Florida
Cantor Kelly Onickel joined the Temple Beth Shalom of Vero Beach FL community July 1, 2023. Cantor Kelly arrives with 11 years of experience as Cantorial Soloist at Temple Emanu-El of Oak Park Michigan. During her time as Cantorial Soloist in Michigan, she had the pleasure to serve as Board Member Communication and Publicity VP for the Guild of Temple Musicians (GTM) for 8 years, and on The Michigan Board of Cantors (MBC) as a Board Member and Secretary for 10 years. These Groups are committed to expanding the knowledge of Jewish music and education in local communities and worldwide.
Cantor Kelly has an extensive education with a BA in Music and Judaic Studies Minor from Oakland University, Masters in Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan, Certificate in Hebrew Studies from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is currently studying at AJR in the Kol Bo (Rabbi/Cantor) double ordination program. Cantor Kelly studied under opera professionals Candice DeLattre and Nadine Washington, jazz professionals Danny Jordan z”l, Tad Weed z”l, Sean Dobbins, Dr. Miles Brown, Carl Cafagnia, and Scott Gwinell, and Conductors Michael Mitchell and Bradley Bloom.
Cantor Kelly has an extensive education with a BA in Music and Judaic Studies Minor from Oakland University, Masters in Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan, Certificate in Hebrew Studies from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and is currently studying at AJR in the Kol Bo (Rabbi/Cantor) double ordination program. Cantor Kelly studied under opera professionals Candice DeLattre and Nadine Washington, jazz professionals Danny Jordan z”l, Tad Weed z”l, Sean Dobbins, Dr. Miles Brown, Carl Cafagnia, and Scott Gwinell, and Conductors Michael Mitchell and Bradley Bloom.
Rabbi Matthew J. Durbin ~ Temple Beit HaYam, Stuart, Florida
Rabbi Matthew Durbin was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and was an active member of his home congregation of Holy Blossom Temple. After completing an undergraduate degree (B.A. Honours) from York University in Toronto in Anthropology, he embarked on his journey towards the rabbinate preparing at the Leo Baeck College in London, England where he was awarded a Masters of Hebrew and Jewish Studies as well as rabbinic ordination in 2008. During his third year in rabbinical abroad in Jerusalem, he met his wife, Rose, while she was training for the rabbinate in her first year at HUC-JIR in Israel. His rabbinic thesis: The Development of Tikkun Olam and its implications on the Modern World, focused on examining the term Tikkun Olam in its historical and Early Rabbinic understanding toward our modern day interpretation of the term as it relates to social justice and action.
He and his wife have three beautiful and energetic daughters who are a delight and keep them on their toes. Rabbi Durbin was formerly the spiritual leader for Temple Beth El, a Reform congregation located in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate NY, for six years where he strengthened the community, formed a strong sense of Jewish identity within the congregation and inspired members of the community to become more active and involved in congregational life. He brings with him great energy and excitement for Judaism and a strong commitment to learning and education, as well as a deep passion to interact and form relationships amongst the community. He is very happy to call Temple Beit HaYam in Stuart FL home.
He and his wife have three beautiful and energetic daughters who are a delight and keep them on their toes. Rabbi Durbin was formerly the spiritual leader for Temple Beth El, a Reform congregation located in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate NY, for six years where he strengthened the community, formed a strong sense of Jewish identity within the congregation and inspired members of the community to become more active and involved in congregational life. He brings with him great energy and excitement for Judaism and a strong commitment to learning and education, as well as a deep passion to interact and form relationships amongst the community. He is very happy to call Temple Beit HaYam in Stuart FL home.
Cantor Mike Jarvis ~ Temple Beit HaYam, Stuart, Florida
Originally from Virginia where he studied Vocal Performance and Religion at James Madison University, Cantor Mike Jarvis was a student cantor a pulpits in Louisville and Atlanta before being ordained at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. He loves music (of course), exercise, especially weight lifting, and inspiring our congregation through music and teaching.
Rabbi Bruce Benson ~ Temple Beth El Israel, Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Known to many as Cantor B- Rabbi Bruce Benson received S’micha from the Rabbinical Seminary in New York and is now ordained not only as a Rabbi, but also as a Cantor having been Ordained by Hebrew Union College in 1978.
His background is quite wide ranging and includes pinnacle moments such as: having served as 2nd VP of NFTY, receiving a GRAMMY Nomination for a liturgical service written and recorded with KENNYG, having been published in a number of periodicals on issues relating to contemporary Jewish Life, has founded several Jewish Institutions, as well as many other benchmarks.
His song, “The Healing Prayer” from his work the Rock Service, was recorded with Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s band and can be found on You tube having been heard over 260,000 times.
Having founded and served a number of Congregations as Cantor and/or Spiritual Leader, he has taken the next logical step and completed his studies to reach this plateau and has recently been elected to serve as the Rabbi of Temple Beth El Israel of Port Saint Lucie.
His background is quite wide ranging and includes pinnacle moments such as: having served as 2nd VP of NFTY, receiving a GRAMMY Nomination for a liturgical service written and recorded with KENNYG, having been published in a number of periodicals on issues relating to contemporary Jewish Life, has founded several Jewish Institutions, as well as many other benchmarks.
His song, “The Healing Prayer” from his work the Rock Service, was recorded with Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s band and can be found on You tube having been heard over 260,000 times.
Having founded and served a number of Congregations as Cantor and/or Spiritual Leader, he has taken the next logical step and completed his studies to reach this plateau and has recently been elected to serve as the Rabbi of Temple Beth El Israel of Port Saint Lucie.