Rabbi Melvin Sachs, M.S.R.E., has joined the Jewish Home Assisted Living in River Vale as a part-time member of the staff as of January 2nd. He will hold regular services at JHAL every other week on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings and will conduct a Bible Study class on Saturday afternoons for residents. Rabbi Sachs has indicated that he will spend time developing services to serve the residents’ preferences. Because we have a mix of residents whose backgrounds are Reform, Conservative and Orthodox at JHAL, we are trying to find a nice balance in the service so that everyone will be satisfied. Residents say the Rabbi’s wife, Sharon, brings a true feeling of Shabbat with her beautiful singing voice.
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Rabbi Sachs said, “I think the services will bring the residents a spiritual dimension regardless of their religious background, and will give them an awareness and appreciation of their heritage. Much of what occurs in the news and in life in general can be enriched by understanding our heritage.”
A Bronx, NY resident, Rabbi Sachs is an instructor of Adult Education for Senior Citizens at the Bronx House and an Oneg Shabbat Coordinator at New Fordham Arms, both in the Bronx. Previously, he has been a pulpit rabbi at the Jewish Center of Williamsbridge in the Bronx, Shaare Zedek in Hicksville, NY, and Ohab Zedek in Yonkers, NY.
Rabbi Sachs received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Board of Rabbis. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Education and a Master of Science in Religious Education, both from Yeshiva University. His publications include “A Case Study in Supplementary Education in Jewish Education” and a book review of “To Raise a Jewish Child” by Rabbi Donin in the Scranton Argus.
He and his wife Sharon have six children and four grandchildren.