Rabbi & Cantor

Rabbi Sara Rich

began her tenure as Rabbi of Temple Beth Tzedek in 2023, after being a member of the congregation since 2017, when her family moved to Buffalo for her to serve as the Executive Director of Hillel of Buffalo. Rabbi Rich and her family were initially drawn to Temple Beth Tzedek because of the warmth of the community and its dedication to sustaining a thriving traditional, egalitarian synagogue. As Rabbi, she is passionate about connecting Judaism with daily life, and answering the Torah’s call to live lives of meaning and holiness, in community with others.

Rabbi Rich earned her rabbinical ordination from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, New York, where she also received a Master of Arts in Hebrew Literature. She has a Certificate in Experiential Jewish Education from Yeshiva University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Rabbi Rich is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly and a past recipient of a Schusterman Rabbinical Fellowship. In recognition of her work to strengthen Jewish Buffalo, Rabbi Rich received the Judith & Daniel Kantor Professional Service Award from Buffalo Jewish Federation in 2022.

Rabbi Rich has previously served as Director of Education at Princeton University Hillel, and Executive Director of Hillel of Buffalo in roles where she empowered Jewish students to explore Judaism and to emerge as Jewish leaders. She has been an active member of many organizations in the Buffalo area, including service as President of the Buffalo Board of Rabbis and Cantors, Secretary of the JCC of Greater Buffalo, and a Girl Scout Troop leader. Beyond the bimah (pulpit), Rabbi Rich enjoys vegetarian cooking, nature, podcasts, Israeli pop music, and reading contemporary fiction. She is married to Ezra Rich and is mother to Miriam, Sivan, and Naomi.

Rabbi Rich's 'ritings

Cantor Mark Spindler

was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and attended Yeshiva University and graduated from the Cantors' Institute. Prior to accepting his cantorial position in Buffalo, “Cantor Mark” served congregations Brothers of Israel in Trenton, New Jersey, and Lake Hiawatha Jewish Center in New Jersey. Cantor Spindler has been serving our congregation and one of its predecessors, Temple Shaarey Zedek, since 1985.

Aside from primary responsibilities of leading Shabbat and Holiday services through the year, Cantor Mark’s pride lies in the leadership and instruction he provides our entire membership. He capably teaches our students to prepare for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and those interested are taught the melodies to lead the entire congregation in Musaf Services. Cantor Mark always has a dedicated group of adult individuals studying Torah Trope, as well.

The congregation honored Cantor Spindler with a gala on November 17, 2012. He was honored with the congregation's Chatan Torah aliyah for Simchat Torah in 2022, and as the Brotherhood's Man of the Year for 2023.

Cantor Spindler is married to Leona. Their daughter, Annie, and her husband have blessed the Spindlers with four grandchildren.

Cantor Spindler has recorded selections from Shabbat services. These recordings may be downloaded from this link.