About B'nai Israel
- B’nai Israel of Southbury is a warm, welcoming and diverse congregation that is among the most prominent, yet intimate Jewish houses of worship in the region. The congregation has a rich history of tradition dating back more than a century while enthusiastically embracing the future. B’nai Israel takes pride in its inspiring music, educational excellence and sense of community. Setting B’nai Israel apart, too, is its spiritual leadership, commitment to advocacy, and inclusiveness with a welcoming of traditional, single parent, interfaith and other modern families among the greater B’nai Israel family that is a home for all generations. B’nai Israel is located in northwestern New Haven County on a sprawling 17-acre campus — one of the region’s largest community, cultural, spiritual and educational centers of its kind — at 444 Main Street North in Southbury, CT. B’nai Israel shares its gorgeous campus with its partner organization, The Federation: Jewish Communities of Northwestern CT, and is home to families and their loved ones from a wide radius of Connecticut towns, including Bethany, Bethlehem, Brookfield, Litchfield, Middlebury, New Hartford, Newtown, Oxford, Roxbury, Sandy Hook, Southbury, Washington, Waterbury, Watertown, Woodbury, and other surrounding communities. Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, B'nai Israel is also active in the area Jewish and interfaith communities.
Our Leadership
Rabbi Eric Polokoff
Rabbi Eric Polokoff is B’nai Israel’s founding rabbi, serving the congregation since 1997. He gives great attention to his roles as a teacher, pastor, speaker and community leader. His interests and activities begin locally and extend beyond our community: Moderator of the Southbury Clergy Association, Trustee of the Connecticut Community Foundation, Executive Committee of CT ADL and the ADL National Commission. Rabbi Eric lives in Southbury with his wife; they have two adult children. Contact Rabbi Eric at: rabbi@bnaiisraelsouthbury.org
Linda Goodman, Director of Sacred Music
- As Director of Sacred Music at B'nai Israel, she collaborates with a talented group of singers and musicians. Our goal is to enhance the spiritual life of B'nai Israel's congregants by integrating music throughout the many facets of temple life; worship, times of joy, times of sadness, milestone events, and educational activities. Contact Linda at 203.267.3394 ext. 303 or music@bnaiisraelsouthbury.org
Abby Peklo, Director of Education
Abby Peklo was delighted to be named Education Director in August 2016. She has extensive experience teaching at B’nai Israel Religious School. She is passionate about teaching the contemporary Jewish American experience, the history of Jewish immigration, Holocaust studies, the founding of modern Israel, Jewish values and environmentalism. Contact Abby at 203.267.3396 or
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MEMBERSHIP
We're the place you've been looking for!
We pride ourselves on being a warm, sensitive and welcoming community with a diverse population. Our membership includes Jews by birth, Jews by choice and their loved ones. We are LGBTQ friendly. We invite you to be an active part of our community as we join together to continue our rich heritage rooted in Torah, God and the People of Israel.
Become part of our family.
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THE SHOP
Visit our store for all your Judaic needs. We offer the option of custom orders, many of which are manufactured in Israel. For more information and shop hours please contact Michelle Rosen at 516.320.5089 or theshop@bnaiisraelsouthbury.org
Click the picture to view some of our in stock items.
OUR BOARD
2018-2019
Officers
Lisa Segal, President
Steven Reps, 1st V.P.
Patti Berkowitz, 2nd V.P.
David Augenbraun, Treasurer
Sheri Kipperman, Secretary
Trustees
Phil Feinman, Rochelle Gershenow,
Joyce Hozer, Jonathan Kapstein,
Eric Linnetz, Beth Rosen, Michelle Rosen, Kim Rubel, Allen Schwartz