About Madison JC

            Thomas Wolfe wrote the novel You Can't Go Home Again, but he was obviously not talking about coming home to Brooklyn, which the Kane family did after a more than twenty-year absence.
            Rabbi Shae J. Kane was born and raised in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. He and his family were members of Beth Sholom Peoples Temple, currently Progressive Temple Beth Ahavat Sholom, where Rabbi Kane celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and he and his wife Arlene were married as well.
            Rabbi Kane attended Lafayette High School and graduated from Pace University with a BA in English Literature. Rabbi Kane received his ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York City, and recently received his honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his more than twenty-five years of service in the Rabbinate. During this time, Rabbi Kane has served congregations in upstate New York, Connecticut, Long Island and Brooklyn. In addition, Rabbi Kane has been very active in community affairs. Some of his community activities have been as a member of the Interfaith Clergy of Freeport and served as its President as well as being the Chairman of the Board of the Interfaith Nutritional Network in Freeport. In addition, for many years Rabbi Kane served as Chaplain of the Bayview Nursing Home in Island Park, New York. He is a member of the New York Board of Rabbis and is currently Secretary/Treasurer of the Brooklyn Board of Rabbis.
            Rabbi Kane is married to the former Arlene Fisher (also a Brooklynite and Lafayette graduate). Mrs. Kane is a professional singer, and is currently pursuing a BA degree at Hunter College. The Kanes have three children. Daughter Aviva, is the head of the Young Adult Division of the Jericho Public Library in Jericho, New York. Daughter Arielle is a lawyer and works for a major law firm in Manhattan and son Gabriel is a junior at Brooklyn College.
            Rabbi Kane is honored to serve Madison Jewish Center, and, from the inception of his association with MJC, he continues to be impressed with the warmth, enthusiasm and vitality of its members who represent the best of what Judaism and Brooklyn have to offer.

In the year 2006 Madison Jewish Center celebrates its 75^th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. There are many things that we learn as we journey through our years. The more protracted that journey the more we appreciate the concept of longevity. If we stop to think about it, we can be even more conscious of what an extraordinary accomplishment this75^th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary is. When we factor in the many generations of Madisonians, from our founding forebears to our current leaders and stalwart members, and how they toiled and struggled to make Madison Jewish Center a presence in the Midwood community, we can be very proud of this achievement.

Much has transpired in the world, in our community and in our Congregation since it was founded in 1931. Throughout these changes the spiritual beacon of this Congregation has guided its members in achieving the high ideals and the moral imperatives of our Jewish Heritage. This Synagogue follows a long line of congregations over the millennia that have transmitted our traditions from one generation to another. In 1931 our country was in the throws of an economic depression, repercussions of which were felt throughout the world, but our founding members were confident that our Congregation would grow and prosper. Their faith in the future has helped sustain our Congregation into the present.

When I first interviewed for the position of Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of Madison Jewish Center, I was impressed by the vibrancy of our members and by the myriad number of events and activities that took place here. Having served this Congregation for close to a decade, that first impression has only been reaffirmed. It has been my privilege and honor to be the Rabbi of Madison Jewish Center as it embarks on the voyage of its next 75 years. Join us and become a part of the wondrous journey ahead.

Rabbi Shae J. Kane, D.D.