Rabbi Catano’s still-heavy Bronx accent seems out of place in the rural stone sanctuary. Raised Orthodox and ordained at the Orthodox Yeshivas Heichal HaTorah in Manhattan, he eschews denominational tags. “I blend from [Orthodoxy, Conservatism, and Reform]. Each has something to offer; none sees the whole picture. And I like creativity.”
He has taken the Reform siddur Gates of Prayer and added his own touches, from Orthodox prayers, to prayers he has written himself, to photographs of Jews from around the world. “Have you ever seen a Chinese Torah?” he asked a visitor, enthusiastically pointing to a photo in the photocopied prayer book. “The universality appeals to the kids,” he added.
He has a decidedly unorthodox resume, which includes work with the black Jewish community in Manhattan — although to be able to do that work, he had to find a way to supplement the $28 per week they could afford to pay him.
“I drove a cab; I did all sorts of things,” he said. Asked what attracted him to the Sussex County community 15 years ago, he said only, “I’m game. I like to help,” and then added, “I’m an independent Jew, not straight-laced. I don’t go from one extreme to the other.”
