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
Sat, July 27 2024
21 Tammuz 5784
SHABBAT
Friday evening service
6:00 pm
Saturday morning service
9:30 am
All services on Zoom and
in-person.
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Coming Events
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Wednesday ,
JulJuly 31 , 2024
Wednesday, Jul 31st 10:30a to 12:00p
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Wednesday ,
AugAugust 7 , 2024Women in the Bible Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, Aug 7th 12:00p to 1:30p
Whether named or unnamed, women in the Bible are not as present as the men. However, when we do come across them, they are a force to be reckoned with. Come get to know them. July 24 - Women in the Torah August 7 - Women in the Book of Prophets Aug 21 - Women in the Book of Writings -
Wednesday ,
AugAugust 7 , 2024WJFF Summer Series 2024 - Film TBA, Save the Date!
Wednesday, Aug 7th 7:00p to 9:00p
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Thursday ,
AugAugust 8 , 2024Sisterhood Ladies Who Lunch
Thursday, Aug 8th 11:30a to 1:00p
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Sunday ,
AugAugust 11 , 2024Neighbors in Conversation - "The Development Christianity & Judaism in the USA"
Sunday, Aug 11th 11:30a to 1:00p
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Monday ,
AugAugust 12 , 2024Tisha B'Av Service
Monday, Aug 12th 8:00p to 9:30p
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Wednesday ,
AugAugust 14 , 2024
Wednesday, Aug 14th 10:30a to 12:00p
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Wednesday ,
AugAugust 14 , 2024Book Club - "The Rabbi Who Prayed with Fire"
Wednesday, Aug 14th 2:00p to 3:30p
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Wednesday ,
AugAugust 14 , 2024WJFF Summer Series 2024 - Film TBA, Save the Date!
Wednesday, Aug 14th 7:00p to 9:00p
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Thursday ,
AugAugust 15 , 2024Sisterhood Board Meeting
Thursday, Aug 15th 1:30p to 2:30p
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