Clergy & Team

Rabbi Franklin originates from Yonkers, NY, and grew up at Riverdale Temple in the Bronx, where his father was a rabbi. He spent his childhood summers growing up at URJ Eisner Camp, but has returned to serve for several years on the rabbinical faculty at URJ Crane Lake Camp.

Before receiving his ordination at Hebrew Union College (HUC-JIR), Rabbi Franklin attended Clark University in Worcester, MA. There he graduated Magna Cum Laude, and majored in History with a concentration in Jewish Studies. He also received a Masters degree from Clark in History. While at HUC-JIR, he served numerous synagogues and Jewish institutions as a student rabbi and rabbinical intern including Beth Ha-Sholom of Williamsport, PA, Rodeph Shalom of Philadelphia, PA, DOROT of New York NY, Temple Sinai of Stamford, CT, and Beth El of Beckley, WV. Rabbi Franklin was the recipient of the Daniel and Bonnie Tisch Fellowship, a three year extracurricular program with Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman that explores congregational studies, personal theology, and contemporary religion in North America.

In addition to rabbinical ordination at HUC-JIR, he earned Masters Degrees in Hebrew Literature and in Religious Education. In his spare time, Rabbi Franklin enjoys golf, cycling, snowboarding, photography, wine tasting, beer brewing, and cooking with his wife Stephanie Whitehorn. He now resides in East Hampton, NY with his wife Stephanie and daughters Lilah and Amelia. < Less

As part of community outreach, Cantor Stein meets with the Clericus of East Hampton, the organization of local clergy, and participates in ecumenical services in the community. She sings holiday songs at local public school, assembles and conducts model Seders, works with the East End Hospice, has spoken at the local college on the Jewish view of infertility and adoption, and has served on sub-committees at the hospital for quality AIDS care.

Cantor Stein has performed concerts of both liturgical and secular music throughout the country, as well as in England, Scotland, Wales, and Israel. She was among the first cantors to sing at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. and sang at the Curacao synagogue’s 300th anniversary commemoration. A former member of the faculty of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion School of Sacred Music, she taught graduate seminars on professional development, worked with senior students in preparation for their pulpits, and gave Master classes on the liturgical music of the Sephardim to rabbis and cantors in the New York area. Cantor Stein played a key role at Sacred Music Press publishing classic, contemporary, and new works for the synagogue. A past board member of the American Conference of Cantors, she served many committees. < Less

She served as Temple Administrator there from 2004 to 2010. After completing a course in Synagogue Management at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, Diane went on to complete courses in Budget & Finance, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Membership and Governance as a member of the National Association for Temple Administration (NATA). Having completed this course work, Diane has attained the level of Senior Member of NATA.

Diane brought her business acumen and extensive knowledge of synagogue management to the Jewish Center of the Hamptons as Executive Director in May 2010. In her role as Executive Director, Diane secured two Homeland Security Grants for security upgrades to the Jewish Center. Her vision drove the renovation of the Donald and Barbara Zucker Patio, beautifying the space where we join together while providing an opportunity to commemorate a simcha or remember a loved one. In 2014 Diane oversaw extensive renovations and upgrades to our administrative building, all the while ensuring that synagogue life remained vibrant and uninterrupted. Diane took tremendous pride in her involvement with the Jewish Center cemetery, Shaarey Accabonac Grove, as she helped guide families through emotionally difficult times. In recognition of her outstanding service to the Jewish Center, Diane was honored by receiving the title of Executive Director Emerita. Diane’s passion and dedication for all things Jewish extends far beyond her business skills in dealing with the day-to-day operations of the congregation. In recognition of the precious relationships Diane cultivated during her tenure as Executive Director, she was asked to serve as Director of Development in 2018. Diane continues to work in support of the mission of the Jewish Center through her fundraising efforts. Diane’s commitment to synagogue life inspires her service to the Jewish Center of the Hamptons by now serving on the Board of Trustees. < Less