Our Team

About Rabbi Hector Epelbaum

Rabbi Hector Epelbaum joined B’nai Torah Congregation in June of 2023 as Associate Rabbi supporting Rabbi David Steinhardt.

“I am very excited to welcome and work with my colleague, Rabbi Epelbaum. He brings a depth of experience, learning and great sensitivity to his work. His life’s experience includes being educated and raised in Buenos Aires, working as a rabbi in Netanya and years of work in South Florida. These inform a broad view of Jewish life. His background in psychology adds to his understanding of people. We will learn from each other,” said Rabbi Steinhardt. "No words to express the warm, active, and knowledgeable congregation B’nai Torah is. I’m counting the days to cross through the building doors and be part of the B'nai Torah family, one of the largest and most successful congregations in the Conservative Movement. I’m committed to helping Rabbi Steinhardt, clergy members, staff, and lay leaders to continue the Jewish path toward a life of Torah, Mitzvot, and Ma'asim Tovim,” said Rabbi Epelbaum.

Rabbi Hector Epelbaum has served as the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel since 2014. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, he was deeply involved in the Masorti/Conservative Youth Movement. After earning a master’s degree in psychology, he went on to conduct his rabbinical studies at Seminario Latinoamericano, where he was ordained, as well as ordained in Israel at Bet Hamidrash Lelimudei Lahadut, HaRav Shmuel Avidor Hachoen. Rabbi Epelbaum served in Conservative pulpits for over 33 years in Argentina, Israel, and the United States. He is also an experienced Melton teacher. Rabbi is married to Berta, and they have three adult children and four grandchildren and counting.

About Rabbi Evan Susman

Rabbi Evan Susman joined B’nai Torah Congregation in June of 2022. The Rabbi was ordained at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, California, in the Spring of 2022. The Ziegler School was conceived to train a new generation of Conservative rabbis to address the spiritual needs of a changing North American Jewry.

While studying at the seminary, Rabbi Susman also served as the Youth Director/Rabbinic Intern at Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills, CA, and the Rabbinic Youth Intern at Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills, CA. Rabbi Susman has been an integral part of the Jewish camping community throughout California since 2007, serving as Assistant Program Coordinator at Camp JCA Shalom in Malibu; Head of Music at Camp Ramah Galim in Northern California; and Music Director/ Rabbinic Intern at Camp Alonim in Simi Valley, CA.

Rabbi Susman graduated from Cal State University Northridge with a B.A. in Modern Jewish Studies and a minor in Pan African Studies. During his time at university, he was very active in the Jewish community on campus, taught religious school, and worked with B’nai Mitzvah students at Temple Beth Shir Shalom in Santa Monica, CA. After graduating, he served as the Hazzan of Beth El The Beaches Synagogue in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, as well as a music teacher at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School in Jacksonville, FL.

Rabbi Susman is originally from Miami Beach and is passionate about Jewish music, education, and enriching the lives of our families and youth. He enjoys traveling, writing music, golfing, and cooking – especially for Shabbat. Rabbi Susman joins the B’nai Torah community along with his fiancé, Emily Davine.

About Rabbi Emeritus David Steinhardt

Rabbi Emeritus David Steinhardt was the Senior Rabbi at B’nai Torah Congregation for more than 30 years. He led our synagogue growth into the largest conservative membership in teh Southeastern United States, and a Shabbat attendance that rivals almost any congregation in the world. He inspired and championed innovative and meaningful synagogue programming and education for all ages.

Rabbi Steinhardt has chaired the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Israel Overseas Committee of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. At the Jewish Federation, he served on the Executive Board. He is a founder of the Boca Raton Inter‐Faith Clergy Association and currently serves as co-president. He served as one of three communal leaders on the steering committee of the Shemin Trialogue at Florida Atlantic University, an annual event bringing together Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders and scholars. He is actively engaged in a Jewish/Muslim dialogue group.

Rabbi Steinhardt has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut, where he studied Psychology, and holds a Master’s Degree in Hebrew Literature from The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, where he was ordained as a Rabbi. In May 2010, he received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from The Jewish Theological Seminary.

Rabbi Steinhardt has led an effort for Haitian disaster relief through Mazon and the Lambi Fund. He is an instructor for the International Florence Melton Mini School and a Senior Rabbinic Fellow and Advisory Board Member at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Rabbi Steinhardt is also a national board member of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs Committee (JCPA), and has served on the Chancellor’s Cabinet of The Jewish Theological Seminary. He has served as president of Boards of Rabbis in both Ohio and Palm Beach County.

Rabbi Steinhardt was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He is married to Dr. Tobi Richman‐Steinhardt, a physician, and they are the parents of five adult children.