Rabbi Manes Kogan was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He holds a degree in Psychology from The University of Buenos Aires, as well as a Masters in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and received his rabbinical ordination from the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano, the Conservative Seminary in Buenos Aires.
Rabbi Kogan is a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, a graduate of the seventh rabbinic cohort of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, and a member of the inaugural cohort of the New York Rabbinic Fellowship for Visionary Leaders. In 2022, Rabbi Kogan joined the US. Army as a chaplain with the New York National Guard with the rank of Captain.
Rabbi Kogan serves as the spiritual leader of Hillcrest Jewish Center, a traditional, egalitarian and participatory congregation in Fresh Meadows, New York.
Rabbi Kogan is married to Silvia Surazski Kogan, and he is the proud father of Daniela, Ilan, and Abby.
Student Cantor Rachel Black is a senior at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Prior to cantorial school, she has served synagogues in the Kansas City region as a cantorial soloist, composer, and religious school director. She has traveled the world, singing at commemorations and special events, most notably at the House of Representatives, the Knesset, the National Press Club, and Temple Israel of the City of New York. As a young child, Cantor Rachel’s family lived in Jerusalem, and later moved to Rockville, Maryland, where she studied for her bat mitzvah under Cantor Mike Stein at Congregation B’nai Tzedek and began formal voice lessons with Cantor Susan Berkson. Cantor Rachel earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from Berklee College of Music, focusing on her vocal training and songwriting. Her critically-acclaimed original song “Edyka” has been featured in publications around the world such as the Kansas City Star, the Miami Herald, U.S. News and World Report, the Jerusalem Post, and the Times of Israel. In the fall of 2020, Cantor Rachel took a big step in her cantorial journey by beginning her studies at JTS remotely. Throughout her studies, Cantor Rachel’s love of nusach, tefillah, and the Jewish community have only deepened. In the summer of 2022, she relocated her family (and two cats) to New York to attend classes in-person. Cantor Rachel is grateful to be serving the Hillcrest Jewish Center community as their Hazzanit! More recently, Cantor Rachel collaborated with Grammy-winning pianist and producer Yaron Gershovsky to present Hillcrest’s Spring Concert. In addition to her studies at the seminary, Cantor Rachel is also serving as a Chaplain Intern at NewYork Presbyterian Queens hospital, where she is training in pastoral care. When not davening or studying, Cantor Rachel enjoys exploring New York with her husband, Eric, and their daughter, Cora.
Cantor Emeritus Moti Fuchs z”l had been singing and acting since he was a young boy. He was the star performer in the first religious musical review in Israel. He came to America to begin his highly successful cantorial career and was associated with prominent synagogues in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. The Jewish Press described Cantor Fuchs as being “best known for his charismatic personality and vocal style … he possessed the unique ability to sing straight from his heart with all his neshama.”
Though Cantor Fuchs z”l is no longer with us, we cherish him dearly for all the invaluable contributions he made to the Hillcrest Jewish Center community and beyond. Our memories with Cantor Fuchs z”l continue to light up our lives, bring smiles to our faces, and uplift our souls, ensuring that his legacy remains eternally vibrant within our hearts.
