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
Mon, February 6 2023
15 Shevat 5783
SHABBAT
Friday evening service
6:00 pm
Saturday morning service
9:30 am
All services on Zoom and
in-person.
Coming Events
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Monday ,
FebFebruary 6 , 2023
Monday, Feb 6th 2:00p to 9:00p
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Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 8 , 2023
Wednesday, Feb 8th 10:30a to 12:00p
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Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 8 , 2023Lunch & Learn: What's the Deal with All of These Rabbinic Holidays?
Wednesday, Feb 8th 12:00p to 1:00p
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Friday ,
FebFebruary 10 , 2023Members Musical Shabbat with Board Installation and Dinner
Friday, Feb 10th 6:00p to 9:00p
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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2023Hebrew School
Sunday, Feb 12th 10:00a to 11:30a
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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2023Tot Shavuah Tov
Sunday, Feb 12th 10:30a to 11:30a
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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2023Men's Club Super Bowl Sunday Party
Sunday, Feb 12th 6:00p to 10:00p
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Monday ,
FebFebruary 13 , 2023Hebrew Class for Beginners
Monday, Feb 13th 1:30p to 2:30p
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Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 22 , 2023
Wednesday, Feb 22nd 10:30a to 12:00p
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Thursday ,
FebFebruary 23 , 2023Joy of Art Show
Thursday, Feb 23rd 12:00a to Sunday, Feb 26th 12:00p
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