Rabbi Michael Pincus
Rabbi Michael Pincus
Senior Rabbi
Contact: 860-233-8215 x228, moc.liamgnull@sucnipibbar,
Rabbi Michael Pincus joined Congregation Beth Israel in 2004 as its Assistant Rabbi and assumed the responsibilities of Senior Rabbi in 2011. Inspired to become a rabbi because of his love of Jewish stories and music, and the power of Judaism to guide his life, he is committed to helping create a warm and welcoming community for all where they can find opportunities for spiritual growth and engagement with the world.
Rabbi Pincus was ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2004. His studies followed those at the University of Virginia, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Master’s Degree in elementary education and secondary social studies. During his years at HUC, Rabbi Pincus served as a student rabbi in Fredericksburg, Virginia, River Edge, New Jersey, Newton, Massachusetts and as the family educator at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills, New York. Since arriving to West Hartford, he has served on the Commission of Jewish Education and Leadership, Hartford Hospital’s Pastoral Advisory Committee, University of Connecticut’s IRB panal, and the Greater Hartford Rabbinic Association.
Rabbi Pincus is married to Randi, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School. They have three sons, Jonathan, Ari, and Benjamin. When he has time, he enjoys hiking, camping, cooking and travel, and is still trying to learn how to play the guitar.
Rabbi Dena Shaffer
Rabbi Dena Shaffer
Assistant Rabbi
Contact: 860-233-8215 x226, moc.liamgnull@reffahsibbar
Rabbi Dena Shaffer is thrilled to be joining the team at Congregation Beth Israel! She is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH, where she was ordained in 2010. Prior to her rabbinic studies, Rabbi Shaffer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and her Bachelor of Arts in East Asian History at Brandeis University. During her years at HUC, Rabbi Shaffer served as a student rabbi in Texarkana, Texas, the Culver Academies (a boarding school for 9th-12th graders) in Culver Indiana, and as a rabbinic intern at Temple Israel in Dayton, OH.
She spent her first year in the rabbinate at Cornell University Hillel in Ithaca, New York as the Reform Rabbinic Fellow where she aimed to enhance and strengthen Reform Jewish life on campus and led social justice initiatives and travel immersion experiences to Ukraine, Nicaragua, and the Jewish Farm School in southern California.
In addition to her Judaism, Dena is also passionate about martial arts which she has pursued since the age of 3. She spends her free time being hanging out with her dog, Darby, cheering on the Washington Capitals and Redskins, and trying to hone her skills in the kitchen.
Cantor Pamela Siskin
Cantor Pamela Siskin
Cantor/Director of Lifelong Learning
Contact: 860-233-8215 x234, moc.loanull@niksisrp
Cantor Siskin’s voice has been heard all over the world – from her scholarship studies in Rome to her singing contract with the Royal Opera House in London, to the Israel National Opera, to the QE2 cruise ship, to being chosen as a finalist in an international vocalist competition held in Bulgaria. Yearning for more spiritual fulfillment, she decided to become a cantor and moved to the United States in 1985 to enroll at the Hebrew Union College.
Upon graduation, Cantor Siskin became the cantor and educator for Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she served until coming to Congregation Beth Israel in 1998.
Cantor Siskin’s enthusiastic personality and passion for Judaism are wonderfully evident – and contagious. Always looking for innovative ways to energize the congregation, the Cantor spearheads two of our unique education programs – our Youth Education Program (YEP) and La’Atid – Learning for Life.
Of her dedication to Judaism and music, Cantor Siskin firmly believes, “Through creative and imaginative education – using the power of words and music – we can teach our children not just to be Jewish but to love being Jewish. This is the motivation of my commitment to imparting our heritage to others through teaching and through music.”
Cantor Siskin and her husband Jerry, an immigration attorney, have two children, Eve-Alice and Joel.