THE JEWISH CENTER OF THE MORICHES
631-878-0388
SYNAGOGUE · HEBREW SCHOOL · COMMUNITY
aboutus
The Jewish Center of the Moriches provides a place of worship for all who wish to participate. We provide religious, educational, social and recreational activities to foster, strengthen and promote Judaism and the Jewish way of life.
We encourage all people, young and old, to participate in our services, which are conducted in both Hebrew and English.
Our synagogue is wheelchair accessible.
All food served at our synagogue is certified kosher.
Our History
Prior to 1938, Jews in Center Moriches worshipped in their own homes. Sometime thereafter, about a dozen men agreed that it was time to congregate in one location and create a Jewish Center for their families and for future generations.
In 1950, this group of local Jewish farmers, merchants and friends purchased the homestead of the late State Assemblyman J.L. Havens and made the site the new home of the Jewish Center of the Moriches.
Their perseverance and dedication paid off. During the ensuing years, the founders and the new members they attracted were able to purchase two adjoining lots, enabling them to construct a new building to accommodate the growing congregation.
In 1966, U.S. Representative Otis G. Pike and other officials joined members of the congregation at the dedication of the newly constructed synagogue, which can seat 200 congregants and includes classrooms and a Rabbi’s study.
Spiritual Leader
Our new spiritual leader, Cantor Star Wahnon, will conduct two to three services each month. The services will be primarily Friday evening services but may include holiday and Saturday services. Please check our calendar for the details. We look forward to learning and participating in these services.
Hazzan Star Wahnon is the great-granddaughter of the distinguished and celebrated Sephardic Cantor James Mesod Wahnon of Congregation Shearith Israel, the Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue of New York City. Her grandfather, Shamash Martin James Wahnon, and her father, James Robert Wahnon, also sang there. Shearith Israel, founded in 1654, is the oldest synagogue in the United States. Hazzan Star is the first woman in her family to become a cantor.
Hazzan Star studied at the Academy for Jewish Religion (NY) under the guidance of the renowned cantor and Jewish music composer Sol Zim. She has performed concerts in both Sephardic and Ashkenazi nusach and has taught classes for children and adults in synagogues across the United States. She has served numerous communities as a cantor, including Temple Isaiah in Palm Springs, CA; Temple Beth El in Ithaca, NY; Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Commack, NY; and Temple Brit Shalom in Cortland, NY.
As a Sephardic Jew, Hazzan Star encourages her congregation to explore new melodies, from Ladino romantikas to contemporary Jewish music. “When we open our minds to new music, it gives us more voice and opportunity to praise HaShem!”
Hazzan Star Wahnon resides on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. She serves on the board of the Women Cantors’ Network and is vice president of Conversos Unidos, an organization dedicated to helping Hispanic individuals reclaim their Jewish heritage. She is also a lifetime member of Hadassah.
