Rabbi Phil Aronson
Rabbi Aronson has been officiating at our High Holy Day services since 2002 and visits throughout the year. In his "retirement" Rabbi Aronson serves 3 congregations in different parts of Florida. Even with this busy schedule, for High Holy Days - it's Bet Chaim. In his own words "It's what I do." and gladly he does. The reception and warmth he feels with our extended family continues to draw him back to Bet Chaim.

Rabbi Phil Aronson is a native of Connecticut. Involved in Jewish activities even as a youth, he served as president of his Temple youth group.  He studied at Columbia University where he received his B.A. in Psychology in 1964. He then remained in New York to attend Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and was ordained as a rabbi in 1969.

Rabbi Phil served as student rabbi during his seminary years in SuccasunnaNew Jersey. He then became the assistant rabbi at a large congregation in suburban Philadelphia after ordination. Next, he served two congregations in West Virginia, ultimately resulting in a permanent merger of the two. Most of his rabbinic career was spent at Congregation B'nai Israel in Elmira, New York. After seventeen years there, Rabbi Phil served as Rabbi for four years in a Boston area congregation before heading to Jupiter and Temple Beth Am in 1996. Rabbi Phil was rabbi at Temple Beth Am for seven years, then served as rabbi emeritus for an additional two and a half years.

Rabbi Phil loves music in many forms. He has amassed a large collection of recorded classical music, and has participated in musical groups throughout his life. He plays guitar and keyboard, often playing guitar during services. 

Rabbi Phil has been married to Jean for 31 years. Their younger daughter Stacey is a hotel manager in Destin, Florida.  Their older daughter Shayna and son-in-law Jonathan are both attorneys in Palm Harbor, Florida. Rabbi Phil and Jean have recently become the proud grandparents of Zachary.

Rabbi Howard Simon
Rabbi Simon officiated at our High Holy Day services in 2001 and has been making visits ever since.

Rabbi Howard Simon served as spiritual leader of the Beth El congregation from 1986 to 1999. He was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1963. Rabbi Simon is involved in a number of community organizations and serves on local and national boards devoted to furthering the ideals of Judaism