Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation Welcomes New Rabbi

SIMSBURY, CT - After 36 years at the helm, Rabbi Howard Herman is slated to retire from the Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom (FVJC-ES), and a replacement has been announced.

"In July, FVJC-ES will welcome Rabbi Rebekah Goldman Mag to our bima," FVJC-ES said in a written statement.

Rabbi Bekah comes to FVJC-ES from Boston’s Hebrew College, where she will obtain her rabbinic ordination and a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education in May. She has extensive experience working with children and teens in religious schools and Jewish camps, has written and implemented curricula designed to engage young teens and spent eight summers leading programming at a wide variety of Jewish camps.

While in rabbinical school, Rabbi Bekah has served as the rabbi of two congregations in New England, leading all Shabbat services, providing pastoral care, and officiating at all lifecycle events in addition to leading innovative programming for seniors.

When asked to describe her hopes for her new rabbinate, Rabbi Bekah says, “Saul and I are so excited to raise our family and build our home in FVJC’s warm, welcoming, holy community. I look forward to working with the fantastic team of leadership at FVJC and in partnership with all area clergy to help strengthen our religious communities together.”

Those who have worked with Rabbi Bekah describe her as warm, genuine, and deeply spiritual. The FVJC Pulpit Committee was impressed by Rabbi Bekah’s ability to bring the Torah to life through engaging sermons and to lend spirit and meaning to prayers through stories and music. They were also impressed by her beautiful voice.

While Rabbi Bekah will be new to the congregation, her family is not. Rabbi Bekah's husband, Saul Mag, son of Kathi and Eliot Mag, grew up at FVJC-ES and became Bar Mitzvah with Rabbi Herman officiating.

The Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom serves families throughout the Farmington Valley, including Simsbury, Avon, Granby, Canton and Farmington.

For additional information please contact Chrisi Bonckik, Temple Administrator at 860-658-1075 or Temple President, Paula Schwartz at 860-539-0524.

Photo courtesy of FVJC-ES