Shalom West Hartford!

By Lisa Lenkiewicz

For 15 years, I was the managing editor of the Connecticut Jewish Ledger. I was fortunate to know all the rabbis in our state, was often first to “break news” and had my finger on the pulse of the Jewish community.

After my position was eliminated several years ago, I went on to other ventures, but I still miss being in that world as a journalist and editor.

So, thanks to the blogosphere, I have a chance to bring readers news about what is happening in the West Hartford Jewish community.

Rabbi Rotation

There are some new faces at two West Hartford institutions. Notably, two rabbis are leaving their positions and relocating to Israel. Rabbi Mordechai Weiss and his wife D’vorah and their son Rabbi Ari Weiss and his wife and family are all heading to the Holy Land.

Succeeding Rabbi Ari Weiss at Congregation Agudas Achim on North Main Street is Rabbi Chagie Rubin, who will start on Aug. 1. Rabbi Rubin and his wife Deena have 11 children and 13 grandchildren! The rabbi brings 30 years of experience including 19 years in South Africa, according to synagogue officials.

Rabbi Mordechai Weiss was the headmaster at the Hebrew Academy, located on Gabb Road in Bloomfield. The Orthodox Jewish school has announced the appointment of Rabbi Elliot Feldman, a Hartford native, as the new headmaster. Feldman will move here from Toronto.

Galas, Dinners and Honorees

These past two months have been incredibly busy for supporters of West Hartford synagogues and area Jewish institutions. So many rabbis were honored recently!

Rabbis David Small and Philip Lazowski were honored together at a gala event at the newly renovated Emanuel Synagogue on Mohegan Drive in May. By all accounts, it was an emotional evening of toasts and speeches, with a highlight of personal reminiscences presented in a video.

Hundreds came out for Rabbi Jim Rosen of Beth El Temple and his wife Nancy who were the honorees at the Solomon Schechter Day School annual fundraiser in May. The event featured the play, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” and was held at the University of Hartford.  Nancy is a longtime teacher at the Jewish day school and Rabbi Rosen is very involved there as well.

Rabbi Yitzchok Adler and his wife Leslie of Beth David Synagogue were feted at a gala on June 2. Visit the synagogue’s website, www.bethdavidwh.org for a very funny short film featuring the popular rabbi that is a spoof on the Orthodox synagogue’s welcome video.

Rabbi Debra Cantor of B’nai Tikvoh Sholom on the West Hartford/Bloomfield line was recognized for her 25 years in the rabbinate at a special Sabbath dinner in June. Rabbi Cantor’s trademark sense of humor is reflected on the congregation’s website (www.btsonline.org): “The any time, any age, friendly, laughing, spontaneous, casual, so you can just be yourself and pray synagogue.”

Speaking of synagogues, Congregation Beth Israel on Farmington Avenue just marked a major milestone—the 170th anniversary of the illustrious temple’s founding. Beth Israel is one of the largest Reform temples in New England, and its majestic building is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Beth Israel has a modern, well-stocked library which is worth visiting.

Merger Talks Fail

There are some disappointed folks at the Emanuel Synagogue after merger talks broke down between them and members of Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield.

Talks had been ongoing for some time, and it was hoped a merger would strengthen both Conservative synagogues, which have had declines in membership during the years--the trend at so many Conservative synagogues nationwide.

But word is that as discussions progressed, members of Beth Hillel decided they were not ready to give up their spiritual leader, Rabbi Gary Atkins, their own building, or their autonomy. The Emanuel Synagogue already has two rabbis. (Full disclosure: I am a member of the Emanuel Synagogue but was not at all involved in negotiations.)

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For now, I’ll say “shalom” and “l’hitraot” (goodbye and see you later in Hebrew).  If you have any news to share about goings on in the Jewish community, I’d love to hear it! Email me at lisalenk@aol.com.