classes live online
Anshei University
Including the Mentch Institute is back by popular demand
Wednesday Evenings in February 2011, 7:30 PM
Feb. 2: How we speak to others
Feb. 9: To wish others well
Feb. 16: Being Straight with others
Feb. 22: Guarding your life; the mitzvah to stay in shape
Click here to watch it live online.
The interactive classes are all on power point and involve discussion as well as lecture.
Classes are open to the public, free of charge, require no previous background and are guaranteed to edify
torah study
Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth offers ongoing opportunities for Torah Study, for people of all levels and backgrounds.
Each morning following Shacharit, Rabbi Finkelstein offers a brief Torah thought.
Each evening between Mincha & Maariv there is a brief (10 minute) Torah study session.
Following Maariv each evening there is a 30 minute class in Talmud led by Rabbi Finkelstein. No prior background or experience is required.
Every Shabbat afternoon 1 hour prior to Mincha the Dovid Menachem Brown Talmud Class convenes with Rabbi Finkelstein. At the same time “Mishna & Mishegas” for Jr. High School students meets with Cantor Aryeh Samberg.
Prayer services
Daily Mincha/Maariv Afternoon Services November 2019
- Week Beginning
- November 24th 4:30 pm
Daily Mincha/Maariv Afternoon Services December 2019
- Week Beginning
- December 1st 4:30 pm
- December 8th 4:30 pm
- December 15th 4:30 pm
- December 22nd 4:35 pm
- December 29th 4:45 pm
Daily Mincha/Maariv Afternoon Services January 2020
- Week Begining
- January 5th 4:50 pm TUESDAY JANUARY 7th FAST OF TEVET 4:40 PM
- January 12th 4:55 pm
- January 19th 5:00 pm
- January 26th 5:10 pm
About Us
ASBEE is a warm congregation with wonderful members, good people, which offers many amazing educational, spiritual and social opportunities for its members.
We have so many offerings at our shul from the prayerful to the educational. Some of the events we hope to see come back soon include our Purim Soiree, Jerusalem Day Picnic, ASBEE Kosher Barbecue, and Succah suppers are just part of our array of activities. This is all in addition to our weekly services, which are worth joining for as well, led by our melodic and moving chazzan. We have a weekly Havdalah zoom, daily zoom classes, lunch and learns with sisterhood, and the Dumont University, a periodic 3 week series of lectures on zoom.
Joel Finkelstein, rabbi
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Since 1997, Rabbi Joel Finkelstein has served as the rabbi of the Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth Synagogue in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to assuming this post, Rabbi Finkelstein was the assistant rabbi of the historic Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in New York City, the oldest congregation in America, founded in 1654. A respected leader in community outreach, education, and youth programming both here and in Israel, Rabbi Finkelstein also served as principal of the Polonies Talmud Torah School in NY, served as rabbi of the Young Israel of Lawrenceville, NJ, taught Judaic Studies at S/A/R Academy in Riverdale, NY and at Stern College for Women, and did outreach work in St. Louis at Nusach Haari. Rabbi Finkelstein earned a B.A. in psychology from Yeshiva College and received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1989, where he studied with Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. He completed his coursework toward a PhD in medieval Jewish history at Yeshiva University’s Bernard Revel Graduate School, where he wrote his Master’s degree thesis on the Medieval talmudist, Rashbam. Rabbi Finkelstein has diverse Torah interests. His background in the history of halacha draws him to obscure and forgotten opinions among the rishonim, both in halacha and in parshanut. Rabbi Finkelstein has also maintained his interest and involvement in manuscripts of lesser known rishonim. Rabbi Finkelstein is known as a master story teller on stage, whether at stories for children or on Purim. He is often asked by local schools and early childhood programs to tell one of his famous stories. “I love getting to know and helping people,” said Rabbi Finkelstein. ” I maintain many chavrutot (study partners) each week with both adults and children of all ages. We hope that everyone at ASBEE should feel like they belong, that they matter, and that they count at ASBEE.” The rabbi’s “Ten Minutes for Torah,” a webcast and audio cast found on His wife, Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein, is an expert in Middle Eastern Affairs. She currently the Executive Vice President at the Memphis Jewish Federation. She also conducts a monthly Rosh Hodesh group for women and speaks on many topics. Together, they are the proud parents of Asher and Avigayil, Natan, Akiva, and Rakhel. |
Aryeh Samberg, Cantor
Aryeh Samberg has been cantor of the Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth Congregation; singing and teaching since 1988.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, and having been raised listening to the great synagogue cantors of our time, Cantor Samberg sang as a child soloist in the synagogue choir of Theodore Silbermintz from age nine to 14.
While living in Israel he studied privately with Rabbi Cantor Jacob Baker. He then was accepted into the inaugural class of what evolved into the famous Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute then headed by Maestro Elli Jaffe & Cantor Naftali Herstik of the Jerusalem Great Synagogue. Cantor Samberg was its first graduate to accept a full time position, the same in which he has continuously served till today.
He has led services in Israel and throughout the U.S. He has performed in concert in Israel, New York, New Jersey, Maine and of course in Memphis. He was instrumental in forming “The Three Cantors“, together with Cantors David Julian and John Kaplan, bringing people together from all backgrounds to their lively performances.
Together with Dr. Steve Katz, he recently released his first solo CD entitled, “Gates of Hope” to great acclaim.
He has performed in concert with the great contemporary cantorial artists at the congregation’s Brown Engelberg Concert Series, and more recently at Dr. Steve Katz’ benefit concerts around Memphis.
He is, however, most comfortable in the synagogue leading his congregation in melodious prayer where with his lyric tenor voice he synthesizes classic cantorial with more modern styles.
Cantor Samberg is deeply involved with the youth of our community having served as the Memphis NCSY Chapter Advisor for some 20 years. He has helped prepare countless boys for their Bar Mitzvah celebrations & has taught hundreds of adults throughout the community to read Hebrew as one of the inaugural sites for the NJOP‘s Crash Courses.
He has taught Jewish History to High School students at the Cooper Yeshiva High School as well as to adults at the Melton Adult Education Program.
Over the years he has presented lectures on various topics as well as a weekly “Rashi & Racquetball” class at the Jewish Community Center.
He currently serves as a volunteer mentor for the Partners in Torah program and as a Volunteer Ombudsman Representative for MIFA, advocating for local nursing home residents in Memphis. He has recently been elected Vice President of the Cantorial Council of America.
He and his wife Adina have 6 children, 3 children in law and 6 grandchildren with whom singing around the Shabbat table is a favorite pastime.
Our Location
Where We Are
120 East Yates Road North
Memphis, TN 38120