Our Clergy

Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz

203-542-7150 • [email protected]

Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz (Rabbi Mitch) became part of the Temple Sholom family as an Assistant Rabbi in 1995, and was promoted to Associate Rabbi three years later. In 2001, Rabbi Mitch succeeded Hillel Silverman, now our Rabbi Emeritus, as Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Mitch is a scholar, teacher, community activist and preacher, and is recognized as one of the prominent religious leaders in the Greenwich area and beyond. A frequent guest speaker at synagogues and churches, study groups, community institutions and universities, he is a charismatic personality who engages individuals and stimulates hearts and minds. His weekly teachings can be found in the Greenwich Time, the Connecticut religion blog Creedable and in other local and national publications.

Rabbi Mitch is a noted authority within the Conservative movement on how to create a welcoming environment for intermarried families in congregations. An author of numerous popular and scholarly articles, he has also written the “Introduction to the Jewish Faith” and the Encyclopedia of Judaism for publisher Facts on File. Rabbi Mitch is a Past President of the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy and the Co-Founder of The Sholom Center for Interfaith Learning & Fellowship.

Rabbi Mitch was born in Boston and raised in Palo Alto, California. He earned a BA in History at UCLA, a Master of Hebrew Letters from the University of Judaism and a second MA degree in Jewish Studies and Rabbinic Ordination with a concentration in Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Rabbi is blessed with his wife of 30 years, Roseanne, and their four wonderful children.

Please click here for the Rabbi's Weekly Teachings and here for the Rabbi's Writings in the News.

Ezra Konigsberg, Hazzan Sheni/Ritual Director

203-542-7151 • [email protected]

Ezra Konigsberg was born in New York City and raised in Connecticut by a family of cantors. Ezra was educated at Solomon Schechter Day School in Woodbridge, CT. He earned his BA in English from Southern Connecticut State University. 2016-2017 marks Ezra's 20th year at Temple Sholom, where he serves as the Hazzan Sheni/Ritual Director and the primary Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor.

In addition to his duties in the Religious School, Ezra assists in conducting services from the bimah. Ezra and his wife Robin play an active role in many synagogue programs. They have a daughter, Hannah, and a son, Max.

Rabbi Chaya Bender, Senior Rabbinic Fellow and Youth Director

203-869-7191 ext. 115 • [email protected]

Chaya Bender first joined the Temple Sholom community as a Rabbinic Fellow in 2016 and is staying on as Senior Rabbinic Fellow and Youth Director. She has over ten years of teaching experience in various Jewish settings for learners of all ages and is passionate about helping others explore Judaism through the lens of art. Chaya is excited to continue working within the Temple Sholom Learning Center, serve as a Chapter Advisor for Greenwich BBYO and develop youth and family programming at Temple Sholom.

Chaya was born and raised in Southern New Jersey. She earned a BA in Anthropology with two minors in Near Eastern, Judaic Studies and Gender Studies from Brandeis University. After Brandeis she spent two years studying Rabbinic Literature at Drisha as a Music Fellow in the Artist Beit Midrash program. In addition to Rabbinic Ordination from JTS, she is pursuing an MA Degree at the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education.

Chaya is committed to fostering inclusivity and equity in the Jewish community and she is a member of the Gender and Sexuality Committee at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). She also serves as the Chair of Keshet-JTS, a student organization devoted to community building, advocacy, education and professional development for LGBTQA students and allies.

Chaya is thrilled to be joining the Temple Sholom community full-time, along with her wife, Emily.

Cantorial Soloists

For the 2017–2018 year, we welcome two cantorial soloists — Mikhal Weiner and Gòn Halevi. They will officiate at B'nai Mitzvah services, as well as holidays and some Shabbatot.

Rabbi Hillel E. Silverman, Rabbi Emeritus

858-450-3027

Rabbi Hillel E. Silverman was born in Hartford, CT. He is the son of the late Rabbi and Mrs. Morris Silverman. Rabbi Silverman graduated from Yale University. He was ordained a rabbi at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York in 1949, and in 1952 achieved a Doctorate in Bible Studies. In 1974 he received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the University of Judaism. Rabbi Silverman served as Senior Rabbi of Temple Sholom from 1981-2001, when he announced his retirement. 

In addition to his pulpit duties, Rabbi Silverman is a recognized author and lecturer. During his tenure in Greenwich he served on the Board of Directors of the Greenwich UJA/Federation, Jewish Family Services, Greenwich Emergency Medical Service and other local civic agencies. He has also served as president of the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy.