WEST HARTFORD – Rabbi Brahm and Elana Weinberg and Gene and Fran Wittenberg will be honored by the Young Israel of West Hartford at a dinner reception to be held on Sunday, March 3, 6 p.m., at the Lincoln Education Center (formerly the Hastings Hotel) in Hartford.
A native of Montreal, Canada, prior to his appointment as spiritual leader of the Young Israel of West Hartford, Rabbi Weinberg was a Sanford Lurie Scholar at the Jewish Center in Manhattan and a member of the kollel at the Ramaz Upper School. He served as the rabbinic intern in both Dallas, Tex. and Great Neck, N.Y.
Elana Weinberg is a member of the Judaic Studies faculty of the Hebrew High School of New England. Born and raised in East Brunswick, N.J., she earned her Master’s degree from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School for Jewish Education and Administration, while also completing the university’s Graduate Program for Women in Advanced Talmudic Studies.
“We feel privileged to have them as our spiritual leaders,” said dinner co-chairs, Harriet Rosenblit and Shayne Green Kesler. “Together, their leadership has helped to strengthen our synagogue and transform it into a place of warmth, camaraderie and learning.”
Fran and Gene Wittenberg have been Young Israel members since moving to the community 33 years ago. Their volunteerism has extended to every corner of the Orthodox Jewish community.

“Gene and Fran Wittenberg have served on, and chaired, countless committee’s throughout the Jewish community, in addition to their commitment and dedication to the Young Israel of West Hartford.  Their volunteerism helps make our synagogue the vibrant place that it is,” said Rosenblit and Kesler.

Gene Wittenberg has been a leader of the Chevra Chadisha (burial society) for more than 30 years.  He played a key role in rebuilding the Young Israel of West Hartford after it was heavily damaged by a fire in the 1980s.
Fran Wittenberg is a mashgicha at the Hebrew Home and Hospital and the adjacent Hoffman SummerWood assisted living facility. She served as PTO president and treasurer at the Bess & Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy in Bloomfield, from which her two sons graduated, and is responsible for initiating the school’s successful and long-running Mishloach Manot fundraiser.
The Wittenbergs are also among the founding families of the Hebrew High School of New England (HHNE) and served as a driving force in building HHNE’s new facility. The couple have also served on the boards of many local Jewish community organizations, including HHNE, and the Young Israel, the Hebrew Academy, and have chaired many committees including the Mikveh and Eruv committees.
Tickets to the Young Israel of West Hartford dinner are $100. For more information call (860) 233-3084.