Meet Our Rabbi
Rabbi Chaya Bender
Rabbi Bender joined the Bnai Israel Congregation in 2020. She previously served Temple Sholom in Greenwich, CT as Assistant Rabbi and Youth Director from 2016-2020. She has 15 years’ experience in Jewish education and is passionate about helping individuals chart their unique Jewish path. Through innovative programming, classes, services and one-on-one conversations she emphasizes positive Jewish identity formation for all.
Despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, Rabbi Bender has reinvigorated synagogue offerings for all ages and cultivated intergenerational community building. She introduced tot shabbat programming for young families, rebuilt the religious school, and brought in world-class visiting scholars and musicians for adult education.
Rabbi Bender is committed to fostering inclusivity and equity. She is part of the inaugural cohort of Rimonim for Rabbis, a collaborative effort of the Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ to examine Interfaith inclusion within Conservative Synagogues. She co-authored the article “As rabbis, we believe a new intermarriage narrative can strengthen Conservative Judaism.” In the greater community, she is a member of multiple Jewish and interfaith round tables, and engaged with the greater community by preaching at local town events and houses of worship.
Rabbi Bender was born and raised in Southern New Jersey. She earned a BA in Anthropology with two minors in Near Eastern, Judaic Studies and Gender Studies from Brandeis University. She received Rabbinic Ordination and an MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
She, along with her wife, Emily Jaeger, daughter, Shlomtzion, and dog, Isaiah, love being a part of the Bnai Israel Congregation Family.
Contact Rabbi Bender: Rabbi@bnaiisraelilm.com
Thu, April 25 2024
17 Nisan 5784
SHABBAT
Friday evening service
6:00 pm
Saturday morning service
9:30 am
All services on Zoom and
in-person.
Coming Events
-
Sunday ,
AprApril 28 , 2024Hebrew School Break (Passover)
Sunday, Apr 28th 9:30a to 12:00p
-
Tuesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2024Pesach - Day 8 Service with Yizkor
Tuesday, Apr 30th 9:30a to 12:00p
-
Wednesday ,
MayMay 1 , 2024
Wednesday, May 1st 10:30a to 12:00p
-
Wednesday ,
MayMay 1 , 2024Lunch & Learn - Fire & Brimstone Prophets
Wednesday, May 1st 12:00p to 1:30p
-
Wednesday ,
MayMay 1 , 2024Hebrew High School
Wednesday, May 1st 4:00p to 5:30p
-
Wednesday ,
MayMay 1 , 2024Wilmington Jewish Film Festival: "Irena’s Vow"
Wednesday, May 1st 7:00p to 9:00p
-
Thursday ,
MayMay 2 , 2024Wilmington Jewish Film Festival: "The Catskills"
Thursday, May 2nd 7:00p to 9:00p
-
Saturday ,
MayMay 4 , 2024Wilmington Jewish Film Festival: "Less than Kosher"
Shabbat, May 4th 7:00p to 9:00p
-
Sunday ,
MayMay 5 , 2024Last Day of School Trip to Raleigh
Sunday, May 5th (All day)
-
Sunday ,
MayMay 5 , 2024Inter Generational Breakfast sponsored by the BIC Men’s Club
Sunday, May 5th 10:00a to 12:30p
Inter Generational Breakfast sponsored by the Bi Men’s Club followed by a general meeting. We are inviting our Hebrew School Children with their parents to have breakfast and mingle prior to our meeting.
To see Upcoming Events, please log into your account
Find Us on Social Media
BIC Weekly Newsletter
Shop in the store or online.
For details, click here.