Synagogue Welcomes New Rabbi

A Newtown-area synagogue is welcoming a new rabbi to their house of worship.

welcomes Rabbi Aaron Philmus and his family to their synagogue family. As part of a long-term strategic plan to reflect the evolving needs of today’s Jewish community, Rabbi Philmus brings with him a strong Judaic education and foundation and an integration of spirit, education, environmental awareness and music that helps acknowledge the various ways in which today’s Jewish community learns, practices and engages.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Philmus to our family,” said Stephen Minsky, co-president of CBOI. “He brings with him a passion for Judaism and strong background in education and tradition that reflects the needs of today’s Jewish community, across ages, life cycle needs, and inclusive of interfaith families.”

Rabbi Philmus and his family join the CBOI congregation from the West Coast where he was the director of congregational life and learning at Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco.  He was instrumental in the revitalization of Shabbat and holiday engagement integrating ritual, education and life cycle events. In addition, Rabbi Philmus worked closely with the Education Committee and Board of Directors to enact a new religious school model that successfully integrated parents and children into the greater Shabbat community, resulting in a significant increase in religious school enrollment.

Rabbi Philmus grew up in New Jersey and was a Jewish Nature Educator and Wildlife Ecologist prior to entering the Rabbinate.  Rabbi Philmus received his ordination with awards for homiletics and academic achievement from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and received his undergraduate degree with Honors from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. His wife, Valerie, a professional kosher chef, and his children, Sophie and Aeden, joins him.