Temple Shalom
of Central Florida
Rabbi Zev Sonnenstein, Biography
Rabbi Cantor Zev Sonnenstein, (Rabbi Zev as he prefers), is originally from Rockland County, New York where he began his Spiritual Journey before he settled in Central Florida and joined Temple Shalom. He has such a positive and spiritual energy about him which shows whether it is from the Bima, religious school, counseling in his office, making hospital visits or any number of the other things he is involved in. If there is a need for something, Rabbi Zev seems to find more hours in the day to help. Zev Sonnenstein has taken an active role in Jewish spiritual life since 1972, when his mentor Cantor George Weinflash z”l, recruited him to join the temple choir, at Temple Beth-El, Spring Valley, NY. From that point on, he knew he must become a Cantor. Zev graduated from Rockland Community College with an Associates Degree in liberal arts, and continued his studies receiving a Bachelor of Arts in music and Voice Performance from The State University of New York, New Paltz campus. Upon graduation, Zev moved to Israel and completed his first year of Cantorial school at The Hebrew Union College-School of Sacred Music, Jerusalem Campus. When returning stateside, he continued his Cantorial studies at The Jewish Theological Seminary, NY, and The Academy for Jewish Religion. He continued his Rabbinic studies at The Jewish Spiritual Leadership Institute, NY, where he received his Rabbinic ordination in 2014. He is an active member of the Guild of Temple Musicians -affiliate of The American Conference of Cantors, and Cantors Assembly.
Zev Sonnenstein has served as Cantor-Spiritual leader for: The Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon, NJ; Reform Temple of Putnam Valley, NY; Jewish Home and Hospital, NY; The Reform Temple of Suffern-Shir Shalom, NY; Ramapo Manor Nursing Home, NY; Temple Beth-El, NJ; the Cantor of Temple Beth-El, Ormond Beach, Fl; Rabbi of Temple Beth Shalom at Palm Coast, Fl; before becoming the Rabbi at Temple Shalom of Central Florida in February 2019.
Rabbi Zev is excited to build relationships with all of the wonderful members of Temple Shalom. Rabbi Zev has a passion for collecting Talitot, yadayim and “fun socks”.