Rabbi Janise Poticha, Ph.D. served Temple Sinai of Massapequa for 26 years. Her rabbinate is defined by her love of learning and teaching, Israel, American and world Jewry. Creating an inviting and warm worship atmosphere where all feel welcome has been a driving force of her rabbinate. With the merger of Temple Sinai and Temple B’nai Torah (Wantagh), Rabbi Poticha joined the senior staff at TBT.
Previously, Rabbi Poticha served as the Hillel Director at both City College and Hunter College (NYC) as well as serving Temple Shaaray Tefila of Manhattan.
Displaying her commitment to Israel, she accepted a position at the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) where she was Director of the initiative “Israel Matters: Our Commitment to Israel”. The mission of the initiative was to educate and engage Reform Jews about Israel, including travel to Israel, designing curriculum and advocacy in support of Israel. Creating bridges between Israel and Diaspora Judaism was an important way to address the need for American Jews to connect intimately with Israel.
On September 11, 2001, Rabbi Poticha quickly moved to employ her EMS and chaplaincy skills. After working at “ground zero” of the World Trade Center during the initial weeks of America’s national tragedy, Rabbi Poticha, though her leadership at Disaster Chaplaincy Services, assisted the City of New York and the American Red Cross to stablish Family/Help Centers, served Memorial Services sponsored by the City of New York, as a First Responder volunteered at St. Paul’s Chapel, and for many years volunteered at the 9/11 Memorial Museum. As a certified First Responder and Team Leader for New York Disaster Chaplaincy Service, she is passionate about volunteer chaplaincy, accepting the role of executive director.
Before fulfilling her calling to the rabbinate, Rabbi Poticha was a Landscape Architect, graduating with several degrees from the University of Oregon. She worked as a landscape architect in South Florida and Israel. Compelled by a desire to explore her Jewish heritage and connect with Israel, Rabbi Poticha lived and worked in Israel for more than five years. After living on kibbutz and completing an IDF army program, she accepted a position as Landscape Architect with a prominent landscape architectural firm in Tel Aviv. Deeply moved by her spiritual, physical, and intellectual connection to the history, the land and the people of Israel, Rabbi Poticha began her rabbinical studies.
Studying at both Jewish Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Poticha received her Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature in 1991 followed by Rabbinic Ordination in 1992 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
With an interest in interfaith and inter-denominational study and learning, Rabbi Poticha studies with scholars and clergy of Jewish and other faith traditions. She sits on boards of various inter-faith and environmental organizations. She is a member of the Board of Governors of the New York Board of Rabbis, the Long Island Interfaith Clergy Coalition and serves on ADL’s New York/New Jersey Rabbinic Advisory Board. Rabbi Poticha is also a Fellow with GreenFaith, an interfaith environmental coalition. She is deeply committed to these efforts, in addition to sharing her love and enjoyment of Judaism with others. Rabbi Poticha offers her professional officiation for ceremonies of both sorrow and joy.
An avid traveler, she has travelled much of the world, and lived in Israel. Rabbi Poticha enjoys a good Talmudic debate, joyous simchas, and most all outdoor activities, including running, golf and cycling. Rabbi Poticha is also an avid art collector and enjoys antiquing and flea markets.
Email Rabbi Bar-Nahum at: rabbipoticha@tbtwantagh.org