Our Rabbi
Born in Vitebsk, Belarus, Rabbi Farbman received his semicha (rabbinic ordination) at the Leo Baeck College, Reform Rabbinical Seminary in London. From 2001 to 2004, Rabbi Farbman served West London Synagogue of British Jews in London, UK as Assistant Rabbi. Serendipitously, Rabbi Farbman’s friend and mentor in London was Rabbi Mark Winer, the former Rabbi of Temple Emanuel in its early, formative years! Rabbi Farbman holds a B.A. and M.A. in Hebrew and Jewish Studies.
From 2004 to 2007 Rabbi Michael Farbman returned to Russia and helped build Sha’arei Shalom Progressive Jewish Community in St. Petersburg, Russia. The story of Sha’arei Shalom and its success is the subject of the film, To Russia with Love, made by the respected Israeli documentary film maker, Asher Tlalim. In 2007 Rabbi Farbman moved to Washington, DC where he served as Rabbi-in Residence at the Washington Hebrew Congregation.
In 2009 Rabbi Farbman became the rabbi of Temple Emanuel, succeeding the much beloved Rabbi Gerald Brieger who retired that year and was named Rabbi Emeritus.
Rabbi Farbman, his wife, Olga Markus and their two sons live in Woodbridge, CT.
Adult Education at TE!
Learning opportunities aren’t just for kids at TE! There is a warm, welcoming learning community for adults too. Multiple educational opportunities with the Rabbi are available for adults including weekly Torah study on Shabbat mornings, Basic Judaism class on Sundays, and continued Jewish education class on Thursdays. There are numerous special lectures and learning sessions which occur throughout the year, including an annual interfaith scholar-in-residence program with our neighboring houses of worship. Individual opportunities exist for adult b’nai mitzvah, for learning Hebrew and Torah trope. more
Purim Never Dies… Saturday, March 10 @ 7pm
Temple Emanuel is celebrating Purim 007 style. Please join us on March 10th at 7 PM for a rousing service in the sanctuary, followed by “Purim Never Dies,” a very James Bond Purim spiel. The festivities continue in the social hall for a Monte Carlo themed party replete with dancing, cocktail hour noshes and TE signature martinis (shaken, not stirred)! Bring a bottle of wine for our annual 50/50 raffle and receive the chance to turn your favorite Merlot into a fine vino collection. Registration is available here. Costumes are strongly encouraged. Adults only please. Reserve your place now! … more
The quiet months are over…
‘Deep winter, still winter, but the days are visibly longer. The sun is visibly brighter. In the Land of Israel, it is still raining – but the rains are beginning to slacken. Already they have filled the deepest recesses of the earth. Far underground, the roots of trees are beginning to suck at earth’s replenished breasts. Their branches are beginning to grope toward the gathering light. There is barely any change to see; there is barely any change to hear. But the turn of the year has come. The still and quiet months are over; the seed is quickening, life… more
50週年快樂! (Happy 50th Anniversary!)
Click here to reserve your seat! 50週年快樂! (Happy 50th Anniversary!) Come Celebrate our Great Fortune: Temple Emanuel’s 50th Anniversary Enter the Royal Palace Door and you will find… Great food, wonderful company and our traditional silent auction filled with unique and creative bargains galore! Let’s meet, have fun and kibbitz Sunday Feb 12, 2012, doors open 6:00pm Royal Palace 32 Orange Street New Haven, CT Adults Only Please Click here to reserve your seat! more
Dreaming of camp…
Happy New year! May 2012 bring you all much joy and happiness – and a little fewer snow days than last year! Together with Lew Shaffer and Bruce Spiewak I have recently attended the Union for Reform Judaism biennial in Washington, DC. The program was absolutely terrific, as always – with multiple engaging sessions, services, music and camaraderie of some 6000 reform Jews from all over the United States, as well as Israel and the UK. For the first time in our movement’s history, President Obama addressed the gathering – and if you haven’t seen his address yourself, I strongly… more
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