Our rabbi, Rabbi Elly Krimsky, assumed the pulpit of the Young Israel of Stamford on September 1, 2009. Originally from Brookline,MA and wears his local sports affiliations on his sleeve, Rabbi Krimsky started his rabbinic career in Potomac, Maryland, where he was for eight years the Assistant Rabbi at Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah, a Modern Orthodox synagouge with over 400 members.

 

In just over two years, Rabbi Krimsky has not only made an impact on the synagogue but also on the community as a whole. He serves as the President of the Stamford Board of Rabbis and has developed a reputation as a fine and dynamic teacher. Currently, he teaches a Friday morning parsha class for the for the Bureau of Jewish Education, instructs fourth graders and up at the Family Beit Midrash program and upon request of his students, now teaches a Monday morning class in Kohellet and a Wednesday night mussar session, both of  which are now taught under the auspices of the Young Israel. Rabbi Krimsky is a member of the Executive Commitee of the Rabbinical Council of America, an officer of the Vaad Hakashrus of Fairfield County and a member of the Ben Zakkai Honor Society of NCSY.

 

Rabbi Krimsky attended the Maimonides Day School for twelve years, followed by two years studying in Jerusalem at Yeshivat Hakotel. He returned to the United States and enrolled at Yeshiva University, where he was privileged to study with the renowned scholar, Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz zt'l, for three years and received his bachelors degree in Political Science. He moved to the Washington area after graduating college to pursue graduate work in International Relations at the George Washington University,specializing in US - Soviet relations. During his first semester in graduate school the Soviet Union collapsed, forcing him to re-assess his career goals. Ultimately he chose the rabbinate and received ordination from three internationally renowned halachic authorities.

 

Rabbi Krimsky has always possessed a passion for outreach, believing our tradition should be shared with every Jew of every stripe and background. As a teen and a college student, He devoted himself to NCSY, the youth group of the Orthodox Union, rising to the position of Program Coordinator of New England Region (NER) NCSY and the Greater Washington DC District Coordinator. He has travelled to the Former Soviet Union twice, visiting Jewish communities and teaching in schools.

 

Rabbi Krimsky and his wife Yocheved were looking for a special community and on prior visits were attracted by the warm and inclusive nature of the shul. Yocheved's reputation as a hostess, art instructor, confidante and role model have not been lost on the membership and community. Vocationally, Yocheved is a registered nurse and brings her care and professionalism to the Bi-Cultural Day School, Gan Yeladim at Chabad, the JCC and other venues. Their two children Yedidyah (born 8/09) and Racheli (born 5/11) are active members of the shul and community as well.