Congregation Beth Israel Welcomes Lev Metz

Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains has welcomed Lev Metz as its Director of Congregational Learning and Engagement. In this newly created role, Lev will be responsible for directing the synagogue’s Religious School, as well as overseeing its high school program, youth groups and adult education, providing a comprehensive approach to the synagogue’s commitment to life-long learning.

Lev’s background includes a wide range of experiences interacting with young students, teens, and adults, both as a teacher and as an administrator. Prior to coming to Congregation Beth Israel, Lev was a member of the Judaic Studies faculty at Golda Och Academy, a Jewish day school in West Orange, NJ. There he wrote and implemented curricula for students in grades 6-12, and developed and ran programs that provided both creative and traditional opportunities for spiritual practices. In previous positions, Lev served as Director of Informal Education and Youth Programming and as Religious School Director of synagogues in the Los Angeles area.

Lev attended the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem and holds master’s degrees in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He received a bachelor of arts with honors in American Studies from the University of California at Berkeley.

“The hiring of Lev Metz and the expansion of the role of Education Director to ‘Director of Congregational Learning and Engagement’ represents Congregation Beth Israel’s commitment to providing high-quality education to congregants of all ages and levels,” said Jason Hoberman, president of Congregation Beth Israel. “Lev’s experience and enthusiasm makes him a great fit for CBI, and we all look forward to working with him."

Lev lives in Perth Amboy with his wife, Rabbi Sara Metz, and their three children.

Congregation Beth Israel is an egalitarian Conservative synagogue, serving the religious, educational, cultural and social needs of congregants from Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Westfield and surrounding towns. Its Religious School educates students from pre-school through 10th grade through experiential grade-specific programs that encompass the family in its curriculum. Children in pre-K through second grade meet on Sunday; synagogue membership is not required for students to attend this program. Religious School for grades 3-7 meets two days per week, on Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon. Darcone is Congregation Beth Israel’s program for students in grades 8-10.

Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Congregation Beth Israel has youth group chapters of Kadima, for children in grades 6-8, and United Synagogue Youth (USY), for 9th-12th graders. Congregation Beth Israel’s adult education program offers a wide array of courses to its members throughout the year.

Congregation Beth Israel has been recognized as an ABLE Awarded Congregation by the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest for its commitment to inclusion and accommodation for all its members.

Congregation Beth Israel is located at 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains, NJ (corner of Martine Avenue). For more information, contact the synagogue at 908-889-1830.