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Ellen Baken, the president of SSTTE, announced this week that Rabbi Wendy Pein would be the first to hold the position. Pein’s responsibilities will encompass both managerial and hands-on leadership of the synagogue’s religious school.
Pein will work closely with senior Rabbi Jeffrey Brown on programs that will educate youthful congregants about the Torah, rituals, history and traditions of Reform Judaism.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Rabbi Pein’s stature and background become part of our synagogue’s outstanding staff,” Baken said. “Her deep experience – along with her energetic and passionate approach to teaching – is focused on communicating the relevance of Jewish thought and practices.”
Rabbi Brown added that Pein’s background complements what the synagogue hopes to accomplish in both the community and county.
“The overriding goal of our synagogue is to help ensure that our congregants, their children and our wider Jewish community are able to learn about and practice the customs, ideas and insights of our faith in ways that are exciting and enduring,” he said. “Our team will be better able to foster the innovation and continuity necessary to teach our children well, and better engage the community.”
Before joining the SSTTE staff, Pein was the Westchester coordinator and educator for Chai Mitzvah, a countywide initiative that re-engages those of the Jewish faith in synagogue and communal life. She also helped developed five “Introduction to Judaism” courses that are offered by congregations throughout the county.
“I look forward to fulfilling the religious school’s mission of teaching our youth in a way that’s fun and engaging,” she said. “We strive to transmit the wisdom and values of Judaism through creative, more modern teaching methods.”
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