STAMFORD – Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, senior rabbi at Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City and director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University, will be this year’s featured speaker at the annual Stamford Chevra Kadisha Dinner. Dinner honorees are Jim Benjamin and Wendy Miles, two longstanding members of the Stamford Chevra Kadisha.

Rabbi Soloveichik will discuss “Abraham Lincoln’s Death on Pesach: The American Jewish Community’s Reaction to a Slain Leader” at the event, which will be held at Temple Beth El, Thursday evening, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.

“It’s especially gratifying this year to honor Wendy Miles and Jim Benjamin, who typify the quiet commitment and tremendous dedication of our Chevra members,” said Michael Feldstein, who serves on the Dinner Committee. “It is also an honor to welcome Rabbi Soloveichik to speak in our community. Rabbi Soloveichik delivered the benediction at the 2012 Republican National Convention, and his sermons, lectures, and classes always draw enthusiastic crowds.”

After graduating from Yeshiva College, Soloveichik obtained his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. He holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University in religion. A native of Chicago, he served as assistant rabbi at New York’s Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun and also worked at The Jewish Center in New York City before assuming the pulpit at Shearith Israel.

This year marks the first time that the dinner will be held at Temple Beth El.

Dinner reservations are $54 and must be received by Feb. 15. Transportation can be arranged.