Rabbi Gamer came “home” to join Congregation Beth Shalom as our spiritual leader. He is a native of Oak Park, Michigan and a graduate of Berkley High School and the University of Michigan. He earned a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary and received his ordination from JTS in 2002. Formerly, he was Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove, Illinois for eight years.
Rabbi Gamer is married to Wendy Miller Gamer, who received her Master’s degrees from JTS and Columbia School of Social Work. They have three children: Maya, Oz, and Aryeh.
“Cantor Sam” Greenbaum has been with Beth Shalom since 1973 and has served as cantor, teacher, bar/bat mitzvah coach, choir director, and more during his tenure. His warmth, humor and caring nature have endeared him to our synagogue family.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Cantor Greenbaum is a graduate of the Cantors Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He is a member of the Cantors Assembly of America and has served as President of the Tri-State Region Cantors Council and the Cantors Council of Detroit. Cantor Greenbaum is a regular speaker and performer for Jewish organizations — and is the mohel of choice for Jewish families in the metro Detroit area.
Cantor Greenbaum is married to Mona, a retired teacher, and they have three adult children: Alex, Alana, and Sheri.
Rabbi David Nelson served Beth Shalom as its spiritual leader for more than 35 years. Throughout his tenure he has been active in the community at large, taking special interest in chaplaincy programs such as Beaumont Hospital, Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police and Oakland County’s Sheriff Department. His warmth and informality are hallmarks of his rabbinate.
Rabbi Nelson has served as President of the Conservative Rabbis of Metropolitan Detroit, President of Michigan Branch of Rabbis, a member of the Rabbinical Assembly of America, President of the Michigan Region of the Rabbinical Assembly, and Chairman of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Member Committee. On the Jewish communal scene, Rabbi Nelson has been the director of the Michigan region’s United Synagogue of America, a board member of Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, Jewish National Fund, Jewish Association for Residential Care, the Fresh Air Society, the Hebrew Free Loan Association, the Jewish Community Council, and Jewish Federation Apartments. In the ecumenical sphere, Rabbi Nelson has been active with the Detroit Round Table of the National Conference of Christians, Muslims and Jews.
Rabbi Nelson is a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, a graduate of Brandeis University, and he was ordained by The Jewish Theological Seminary in 1967. He is married to Alicia, who is the owner of Tradition! Tradition!, a Judaica business. They have three adult children: Harry, Reva, and Deborah.
Clergy
Rabbi Robert Gamer
rgamer@congbethshalom.org
Rabbi Gamer came “home” to join Congregation Beth Shalom as our spiritual leader. He is a native of Oak Park, Michigan and a graduate of Berkley High School and the University of Michigan. He earned a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary and received his ordination from JTS in 2002. Formerly, he was Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove, Illinois for eight years.
Rabbi Gamer is married to Wendy Miller Gamer, who received her Master’s degrees from JTS and Columbia School of Social Work. They have three children: Maya, Oz, and Aryeh.
Cantor Samuel L. Greenbaum
perfectnow@excite.com
“Cantor Sam” Greenbaum has been with Beth Shalom since 1973 and has served as cantor, teacher, bar/bat mitzvah coach, choir director, and more during his tenure. His warmth, humor and caring nature have endeared him to our synagogue family.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Cantor Greenbaum is a graduate of the Cantors Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He is a member of the Cantors Assembly of America and has served as President of the Tri-State Region Cantors Council and the Cantors Council of Detroit. Cantor Greenbaum is a regular speaker and performer for Jewish organizations — and is the mohel of choice for Jewish families in the metro Detroit area.
Cantor Greenbaum is married to Mona, a retired teacher, and they have three adult children: Alex, Alana, and Sheri.
Rabbi David A. Nelson, Rabbi Emeritus
ravdavid@comcast.net
Rabbi David Nelson served Beth Shalom as its spiritual leader for more than 35 years. Throughout his tenure he has been active in the community at large, taking special interest in chaplaincy programs such as Beaumont Hospital, Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police and Oakland County’s Sheriff Department. His warmth and informality are hallmarks of his rabbinate.
Rabbi Nelson has served as President of the Conservative Rabbis of Metropolitan Detroit, President of Michigan Branch of Rabbis, a member of the Rabbinical Assembly of America, President of the Michigan Region of the Rabbinical Assembly, and Chairman of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Member Committee. On the Jewish communal scene, Rabbi Nelson has been the director of the Michigan region’s United Synagogue of America, a board member of Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, Jewish National Fund, Jewish Association for Residential Care, the Fresh Air Society, the Hebrew Free Loan Association, the Jewish Community Council, and Jewish Federation Apartments. In the ecumenical sphere, Rabbi Nelson has been active with the Detroit Round Table of the National Conference of Christians, Muslims and Jews.
Rabbi Nelson is a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, a graduate of Brandeis University, and he was ordained by The Jewish Theological Seminary in 1967. He is married to Alicia, who is the owner of Tradition! Tradition!, a Judaica business. They have three adult children: Harry, Reva, and Deborah.