Rabbi Morris Barzilai (“Rabbi Mo”) has spent over 25 years in Mount Vernon as a trusted spiritual leader nurturing a warm, welcoming congregation which congregants often describe as a second family. In his own words, the rabbi’s goal is “to reach out to the diverse members of the community and to show them the beauty and meaning of Judaism. “I try to help individuals become more connected to Judaism and the Jewish people, with a special focus to reach out to those who, for whatever reason, feel marginally connected.” He works closely with the Cantor and the lay leadership to create services that are spiritual, beautiful and engaging for all who attend.

Rabbi Mo has served as the spiritual leader of Sinai Free Synagogue since its inception in 1999 when, Free Synagogue of Westchester (where he was the Rabbi since 1994) and Sinai Temple, both in Mount Vernon, merged to form Sinai Free Synagogue. 

A trusted leader in the area, Rabbi Barzilai is extensively involved in a wide range of ecumenical and civic activities. He served as co-chair of The Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe Interfaith Council and has also been active in the Community Service Associates, which runs a food pantry and other programs in Mount Vernon. He also serves on the Board of The Counseling Center in Bronxville. “I strive to teach Jewish values by touching people’s lives, showing them that someone truly cares and that Judaism has much to offer.”

In the Jewish Community, Rabbi Barzilai has served on the Executive Board of the Westchester Board of Rabbis and currently is a member of the Synergy Rabbinic Advisory Committee of the UJA Federation. He has been a member of the Reform movement’s URJ-CCAR Commission on Outreach and Synagogue Membership. For thirteen years he served as Rabbinic faculty at Eisner Camp/Crane Lake in the Berkshires.

After his ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1989, he became an assistant/associate rabbi at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck. In 1994, he began his tenure as rabbi of Free Synagogue of Westchester, and the rabbi of the merged congregations of Sinai Temple and Free Synagogue of Westchester in 1999. In May of 2014, Rabbi Barzilai received an honorary degree from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religious for twenty-five years of service to the Jewish community. A native of Chicago, Rabbi Barzilai has a degree in economics and mathematics from Washington University. He and his wife Lisa have three lovely children, Matti, Zari, and Avi.