Rabbi Josh Strom has joined Congregation B’nai Yisrael (CBY) of Armonk as its new permanent rabbi. Rabbi Strom previously served as an Associate Rabbi for Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Colgate University and was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2008.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Rabbi Strom to our congregation and local Jewish community,” said Lisa Broomer, president of CBY. She added, “Rabbi Strom brings just the right combination of new ideas and respect for tradition to our congregation with boundless amounts of enthusiasm and passion for our shared Jewish values and beliefs. We are looking forward to many years of fulfilling worship, meaningful learning and heartfelt outreach both within and beyond our community with Rabbi Strom, in partnership with our beloved Cantor, Hayley Kobilinsky, who just celebrated ten wonderful lyrical years with CBY.”
“I am both humbled and thrilled to be joining this strong congregation and local Jewish community,” said Rabbi Strom. “CBY has a rich history for upholding both cultural and social values rooted in Jewish beliefs and traditions. I am eager to help lead and build CBY’s congregation and presence as it embarks on the next great chapter of its future.”
Melissa Cohavi also joins CBY as the new education director after serving Temple Sinai of Stamford, CT for 10 years. Melissa’s extensive education includes a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and a Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work.
Lisa Broomer shared, “The Board of Trustees and congregation are very excited and inspired by the additions of Rabbi Strom and Melissa Cohavi.
Their dynamic personalities have already had a big positive impact in a short amount of time.”
Welcoming video interviews of Rabbi Strom and Melissa Cohavi are available through CBY’s website, www.CBYArmonk.org Founded in 1970, Congregation B’nai Yisrael of Armonk is a Reform congregation with nearly 350 family members.
