Special to the Ledger

WEST HARTFORD – Beth El Temple will host a special lunch program on Sunday, Feb. 9 at noon, to honor Rabbi Howard Rosenbaum for 20 years of service as the synagogue’s education director.

Rabbi Howard Rosenbaum

The tribute to Rosenbaum, an avid Boston Red Sox fan, will feature appearances by several Boston Red Sox notables, including Fenway Park announcer Dick Flavin, 1987-89 Red Sox Red Sox first baseman/designated hitter Sam Horn, and Red Sox mascot, Wally, who will bring with them the team’s 2013 World Series trophy.

Prior to joining the West Hartford Conservative congregation as education director in August 1994, Rosenbaum held posts in Metuchen, N.J. and Levittown, Penn., and headed up a religious school in Media, Penn. A graduate of Brandeis University, he received a graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania graduate school and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, Penn. He is certified by the Jewish Theological Seminary as a day school principal.

In addition to his work at Beth El, Rosenbaum has been on staff at Camp Ramah in Palmer, Mass. for 14 summers, has staffed the Gratz College Summer Israel trip for three summers, and serves on the National Youth Commission of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ).

Rosenbaum, says Beth El religious school instructor Anita Levy, is “known throughout the Greater Hartford area for his innovative and creative family and student programs. … He is always at the forefront in implementing new initiatives in Jewish education. He is responsible for [the Beth El Religious School] receiving many awards and has made the school the envy of the Hartford area.”

Under Rosenbaum’s leadership, Beth El’s school has won numerous family and elementary education awards from USCJ and innovative program awards from the Commission on Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. His many family and experiential education programs include a simulated trip to Israel, a visit to Westmoor Park to learn about and experience Judaism and nature, and a hands-on exploration of Jewish art and music with guest artists.

“We’ve gone the distance for Rabbi Rosenbaum,” say Beth El religious school parents Nancy and Dennis Gottfried, who make the trek from from Harwinton to West Hartford two/three times a week, “but Rabbi Rosenbaum has made it worth every mile traveled. Our daughter is receiving an outstanding Jewish education under his guidance, both within the classroom and through the variety of field trips and enrichment programs at Beth El.”

The lunch program honoring Rabbi Rosenbaum is open to the community. Admission is $18 per person/$13 per child 12 and under/$54 family maximum. For reservations (due by Feb. 3) or for more information call (860) 233-9696 or visit bethelwesthartford.org.