We invite you to a special Shabbat service to welcome Rabbi Robert Lefkowitz to Etz Hayim Synagogue. Service to be followed by Oneg Shabbat.

Etz Hayim Synagogue is pleased to announce the appointment of Rabbi Robert Lefkowitz as its new rabbi, beginning August 1, 2024. After a thorough search conducted by the Rabbi Search Committee, Rabbi Lefkowitz was selected as the new spiritual leader of our temple family. He will succeed Rabbi Peter Levy who is retiring after having served Etz Hayim for the past ten years.

Rabbi Lefkowitz and his wife, Debbie, have been living in Orlando, FL since 1994 where they established Congregation Beth Emeth where he was involved in all aspects of the synagogue, including ritual, lifecycle events, education, pastoral support and administration. For the past three years, Rabbi Lefkowitz has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Shalom in Brandon, Florida.

Rabbi Lefkowitz was ordained from Tifereth Yisrael Rabbinical Yeshiva in New York and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Baruch College, and a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in Communication, Computing and Technology in education. Originally from the Albany, NY area, their move back North was precipitated by their desire to be closer to family.

At a recent visit to Etz Hayim, Rabbi Lefkowitz expressed, “We are here at Congregation Etz Hayim to ignite your spark, so we can touch your heart and stir your soul.” He believes in living by five simple rules: Free your heart from hatred (Leviticus 19:17), free your mind from worries (Talmud Yevamot 63 B), live simply (Psalms 116.6), give more (Deuteronomy 15:11) and expect less (Jeremiah 45:5).

Etz Hayim Synagogue was founded in 1991 and has been a beacon of Jewish life in the greater Derry region throughout its 33-year history. Etz Hayim is located at 1-1/2 Hood Road, Derry, NH and is an independent synagogue operating in partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire. Visit us at www.etzhayim.org.