Clergy

Rabbi Matthew Durbin

Rabbi Matthew Durbin was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and was an active member of his home congregation of Holy Blossom Temple. After completing an undergraduate degree (Honours B.A.) from York University in Toronto in Anthropology, he embarked on his journey towards the rabbinate preparing at the Leo Baeck College in London, England where he was awarded a Masters of Hebrew and Jewish Studies as well as rabbinic ordination in 2008.

During his third year in rabbinical school, while studying abroad in Jerusalem, he met his wife, Rose, while she was training for the rabbinate in her first year at HUC-JIR in Israel. His rabbinic thesis: The Development of Tikkun Olam and its implications on the Modern World, focused on examining the term tikkun olam in its historical and early rabbinic understanding toward our modern day interpretation of the term as it relates to social justice and action. Rabbi Durbin completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as well as clinical work at NYU Medical Hospital in Manhattan during his rabbinical training. He also was the Vice-President of the Capital District Board of Rabbis, he wrote the Social Action Holiday Guide for Tu B’shvat for the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) during a summer intern program offered by the Commission on Social Action in NYC. They have three beautiful and energetic daughters, Eliana, and Maya, and Delilah, who are a delight and certainly keeps them on their toes.

Rabbi Durbin was the spiritual leader for Temple Beth El, a Reform congregation located in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate NY for six years, where he strengthened the community, formed a strong sense of Jewish identity within the congregation and inspired members of the community to become more active and involved in congregational life. He brings with him to Stuart a great energy and excitement for Judaism and a strong commitment to learning and education, as well as a deep passion to interact and form relationships among the members of the community. They are thrilled to call Stuart home.