Rabbi Shua Mermelstein joined Adereth El in a part time role in August of 2020, and succeeded as rabbi in July of 2021, making him just the third rabbi at Adereth El since 1939! A 5th generation Lower East Sider, Shua has always loved the downtown Jewish community. Shua has also lived and engaged with Jewish communities in Nashville and Washington, D.C.

Shua is passionate about Jewish life, and is a member of the Leadership Development Council at Ohel and a member of the Advisory Board to the Jewish Law Institute at the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College. Shua derives his energy from helping people and building meaningful relationships. He was a Dean’s Advisor and a Peer Advocate at Yale law school, and credits his rabbinic training for helping him grow his empathy and compassion.

Shua studied at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and lived in Israel for 3 years. He has also studied at Yeshiva Shaar Hatorah – Grodno and at Yeshiva University.

Rabbi Shua was ordained by the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University. He is a graduate of the Yale Law School, and continues to practice law in New York City.

Rabbi Gideon Shloush is a charismatic leader who has been an important part of the remarkable resurgence at Congregation Adereth El. For twenty-five years (1996-2021) Rabbi Shloush led our historic synagogue bringing a wide variety of learning programs, lecture series and social events, attracting large groups of young singles and families. Under his leadership the synagogue membership tripled, a magnificent Beit Midrash was built and the synagogue underwent a major restoration for just the third time in its history.

Rabbi Shloush created strategic partnerships with organizations such as Manhattan Jewish Experience, Center for Return, Maor, NJOP, RAJE, The Jewish Flame and area universities to offer meaningful and impactful programming for the local Jewish community.

In April 2016 Rabbi Shloush was elected as the President of the New York Board of Rabbis. In this capacity Rabbi Shloush has met with the Pope, with the Secretary General at the United Nations, with members of the administration in the West Wing of the White House and with countless diplomats and interfaith leaders. The NY Board of Rabbis is comprised of more than 750 members across the tri-State area spanning the denominations: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist. A sampling of activities of the NYBR include close ties with leadership at the United Nations, warm relations with the Cardinal and interfaith communities, training in family violence protection, solidarity missions to Israel and support for chaplains (hospital, military and prison) to enable them to offer compassionate care. The NYBR is often regarded as the face of the NY Jewish community to the broader public.

Rabbi Shloush served in numerous leadership positions within the Jewish community. He sits on the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Council of America where he served already for two prior terms. He recently completed a six-year term serving on the Board of Directors of the UJA-Federation of New York, the largest Federation in the USA. He is a judge with the Beth Din of America. He was a chaplain with the Department of Homeland Security. He also served as Vice President of RIETS Rabbinic Alumni and was National Director of the Religious Zionists of America-Mizrachi. He has a long-standing relationship with the World Zionist Organization (WZO) and works closely with their various departments.

Today Rabbi Shloush is the Director of the Department of Jewish Heritage at Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael in Jerusalem. Keren Kayemet (KKL), one of the foundational institutions of Israel, was established at the Fifth Zionist Conference held in Basil in 1901. In his position Rabbi Shloush is responsible for educational programming on behalf of Keren Kayemet. Working closely with rabbinic and professional leadership across Israel and around the world, his mission is to spread the values of Keren Kayemet and partner with like-minded institutions to strengthen the Jewish People’s connection to the land of Israel.

For eighteen years (2003-2021) Rabbi Shloush was a member of the faculty at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. He taught intermediate and advanced level courses in Bible and Judaic Studies.

For seventeen years (2004-2021) he was the Irving I. Stone Director of Rabbinic Internship and Training Program at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. In this capacity he was responsible for guiding students with the transition from the world of the Yeshiva to become professionally trained leaders within the Jewish community. His work involved working closely with rabbinic mentors across the tri-State area and around the country.

From 2003-2006 Rabbi Shloush served as the Director of Rabbinic Learning and Enrichment at the Rabbinical Council of America. In this capacity he is credited with the creation and overseeing of the Rabbi Steven M. Dworken Continuing Rabbinic Education program which offered a wide variety of Torah learning and professional development opportunities for nearly one thousand member rabbis around the world

Rabbi Shloush is a descendant of a long line of distinguished Rabbis. He follows in the path blazed by his father Rabbi Eliahu Shloush (KBY ’65-’69), a respected Rav and scholar. His grandfather, Rabbi David Shloush z”l was the Chief Rabbi of Netanya in Israel for 63 years. His great-grandfather, Rabbi Yosef Shloush z”l, was the Rosh Av Beit Din and Rosh Chevra Kadisha of Jerusalem. He is also the great-grandson of Rav Meir Vaknin z”l, the long-time Chief Rabbi of Tiberias. Rabbi Shloush’s mother, Dr. Rita Shloush was the founder and Head of School of Yeshivat Rambam in Baltimore, MD. Several years ago, she was the recipient of the Jerusalem Prize from the President of the State of Israel.

Rabbi Gideon Shloush was ordained by the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University. He also holds an MBA in International Business from Baruch College.

Rabbi Sidney Kleiman served as the Rabbi of Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El from 1939 – 1999. He continued attending services daily as Rabbi Emeritus until his passing at the age of 100 in the Spring of 2013. Rabbi Kleiman received Smicha (Rabbinical Ordination) from Rav Moshe Soloveitchik at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological seminary. He studied at City College, Columbia University and Yeshiva University where he received his B.S. in 1935. He also did Post Graduate work at Dr. Bernard Revel Graduate School.

Rabbi Kleiman was a respected member of the Rabbinical Council of America and the New York Board of Rabbis. In honor of his 100th Birthday, a gala celebration was held on January 6th, 2013 at the Museum for Jewish Heritage in Battery Park. Letters & Plaques were presented by the White House, Senators, Congressmen, Chief Rabbis and numerous other leaders of the Jewish community. Presentations were made by Adereth El’s current rabbi, Rabbi Gideon Shloush, the executive vice president of the NY Board of Rabbis Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, renowned defense attorney Benjamin Brafman and NYC Controller John Liu. Rabbi Kleiman concluded the evening with a powerful speech in recognition and appreciation of this milestone birthday!

In 2006, Rabbi Kleiman received a special citation from the Rabbinical Council of America for 67 years of service . A few years earlier he was recognized by Bellevue hospital for fifty years of service as hospital Chaplain.

Rabbi Kleiman’s great speeches and unique ability to relate to Jews of every generation and background made him a legendary figure in the history of New York’s rabbinic community. He served his congregation for 74 years, nearly half the history of this Civil War era synagogue.