Rabbi Vernon is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly. He received his BA Degree at Hunter College in the Bronx and his Rabbinic Ordination at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, where he also earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Hebrew Literature. In 1998, he was awarded the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Rabbi Vernon also did graduate study at the Jewish Theological Seminary, as well as New York University. Most recently, he was the spiritual leader of Congregation Ahavas Sholom in Newark, and Congregation Beth Torah, in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Rabbi Vernon brings more than twenty five years of experience in the area of Jewish education to Congregation Shaaray Shalom. He was the founding principal of the Solomon Schechter Day School in Bergen County, New Jersey and the Bergen County High School for Jewish Studies. He served as Director of Educational Development at the Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA) and has published more than fifteen articles in national professional and organizational periodicals. He was also President of the Council for Jewish Education. Rabbi Vernon has four children and twelve grandchildren.
A few words from the Rabbi:
“As the rabbi of Congregation Shaaray Shalom, a Conservative egalitarian congregation, I know that we are quite diverse in many ways. And yet, we belong to this sacred community because we share certain ideals. As a congregation, members of all ages are committed to a journey of Jewish living, faithful to the traditions of our ancestors and responsive to the demands of the society in which we live. We encourage our members to be serious Jews, in worship, in study, in the performance of acts of kindness and in correcting the deficiencies in our world.
We invite you to join us on our collective journey as we seek to understand God’s plan for our lives, for our families, for our congregation and for our community. As your rabbi, I will help guide you, sometimes challenge you, always support and comfort you and, hopefully, inspire you to become the best that you can be. I look forward to sharing our Jewish journey with you.”
