The Circuit Driving Rabbi
For the Times in Life When we Need a Rabbi...
I am here for you...
How I Can Help...
As an ordained Pluralistic/Independent Rabbi, I offer a range of officiating services for important lifecycle events, including weddings (interfaith, LGBTQIA2S+, and more), B' Mitzvahs, and funerals, tailored to your desired level of tradition or modernity. Additionally, I provide pastoral counseling rooted in Jewish tradition, engaging with individuals in various settings to address life's challenges with a spiritual perspective. I am also available for interim rabbi services, supporting congregations with Shabbat and High Holiday services, ensuring a meaningful experience during transitions.
Why do you call yourself the
"Circuit Driving Rabbi?"
​
In the early days of American history, it was not uncommon for small congregations to share clergy or for clergy to visit different communities for a variety of pastoral duties. Today, I continue this long-standing tradition by bringing Rabbinic services to congregations and individuals who need the services of a Rabbi.
Meet
Rabbi Daniel Bubnis
With nearly two decades of active engagement in the Jewish community, I have had the profound privilege of contributing to both spiritual leadership and community cohesion. My journey began in a small coal mining town, where I cultivated a deep appreciation for the diverse needs of individuals and families in a close-knit environment. This foundation has guided my efforts in leading services, layning Torah, and delivering meaningful sermons during periods of rabbinic transition within my congregation or when the resident Rabbi was away. My leadership roles, including chair of the Ritual Committee and Temple Vice-President, demonstrate my commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community.
I currently serve on the board of directors of Jewish Family Services in Scranton, PA, where I further my dedication to addressing the needs of our community, ensuring that individuals have access to vital support services. Additionally, I am pursuing my Smicha from Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary, which I will complete on December 8, 2024. This rigorous academic journey has enriched my understanding of Judaism and has prepared me to serve as an interim rabbi with the authority and authenticity that the role demands. My compassion and empathic manner, coupled with my academic and experiential background, further bolster my ability to offer pastoral counseling and officiate lifecycle events that are truly meaningful. I take pride in creating personalized ceremonies, whether weddings or memorials, that resonate deeply with participants by honoring traditional customs while embracing contemporary values.
In addition to my spiritual leadership, I am passionate about personal wellness and community engagement. My approach to pastoral counseling is rooted in Jewish teachings while adopting a holistic perspective that acknowledges the complexities of life’s challenges. I strive to provide individuals with the support they need to navigate their journeys, drawing on the wisdom of our tradition to foster growth, healing, and a deeper connection to their faith and community. Ultimately, I aim to create an environment where every individual feels valued, understood, and empowered to engage fully with their spirituality and the rich tapestry of Jewish life.
In addition to Rabbinic Ordination, my Academic Background Includes:
-Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
-Master of Science in Exercise and Wellness
-Multiple Certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Association of Sports Medicine
My Services
Lifecycle Services
Life is Full of Events, from birth to death and beyond...
​
Whether it is a wedding (interfaith, Humanist, LGBTQIA2S+), B' Mitzvah, funeral/memorial service, Brit Milah, Baby naming, or another event that you would like a rabbi to officiate. The ceremonies can be as traditional or as contemporary as you would like them to be. A marriage ceremony can be as elaborate as an outdoor garden ceremony with hundreds of guests, to a simple signing of the marriage license in a private ceremony (and everything in-between). If you are requesting a ceremony that is religious in nature, please be advised that one partner must be Jewish. If you would simply like a clergyperson to be present and sign your marriage license without a religious component in a private setting, I am the clergyperson you are looking for! For funerals and memorial services, I will perform the services for both traditional burial and cremation. I will also officiate in a non-Jewish cemetery. Again, the service can be as traditional or contemporary as you would like.
Pastoral Counseling- in the Jewish Tradition
For Life's Challenges...
​
Informed by a strong spiritual basis and rooted in Jewish tradition, the Torah has many lessons for our times that can inform our life’s challenges. By seeing life’s hurdles through a spiritual lens, we can sometimes put a new spin on our challenges and see them as opportunities for growth.
I am also available to visit with you or your loved one at home, in the hospital, in an assisted living facility, nursing home, or hospice facility if you are unable to come to my office. My time with you will be spent engaging with the concerns YOU would like to discuss. We could talk about anything you wish, from the weather to your favorite holiday, to just spending quiet time together while I recite your favorite scripture versus or poetry reading.
Interim Rabbinic Services
Congregations also have Transitions Periods...
I am available to provide interim rabbinic services, whether it is a single Shabbat Service or this year’s High Holidays, or while your search committee identifies that ideal candidate to be your next Rabbi. Shabbat Services can be Friday evening or Friday evening and Shabbat Morning. The High Holiday’s can be Rosh Hashanah only or Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The services can be traditional or contemporary or a mix of both! Since there is a great deal of preparation that goes into the High Holiday services, I do ask for at least a three-month prior notice so I can work with your congregation’s ritual committee to ensure that your High Holiday’s will be both spiritual and memorable.
