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Debra Rappaport was recently appointed rabbi and executive director of B’nai Vail, the congregation serving the Jewish community in Eagle County and beyond
VAIL — B’nai Vail, the congregation serving the Jewish community in Eagle County and beyond, announced the appointment of Rabbi and Executive Director Debra Rappaport.
Rabbi Rappaport, originally from Minneapolis, joins the congregation having recently been ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. Prior to rabbinical school, Rappaport spent 10 years in sales and marketing. With an MBA from Wharton and a BA from Vassar, she has held a variety of appointments in high-tech businesses. While in rabbinical school, she served as rabbi for Congregation Shirat Hayam in Duxbury, Mass.
“We are so excited to have Debra with us, she will add so much enthusiasm and guidance to our growing community,” CJ Tenner, president B’nai Vail, said. “Rabbi Rappaport brings a wonderful spiritual presence and an enlightened approach to the daily operations of B’Nai Vail.”
Rappaport said she likes the fact that B’nai Vail attracts young working adults, as well as folks of all ages.
“It is a real community of people who enjoy being together with others they might not necessarily meet outside of synagogue life,” she said. “I look forward to bringing additional programs and education to support this growing community.”
Rabbi Rappaport, originally from Minneapolis, joins the congregation having recently been ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. Prior to rabbinical school, Rappaport spent 10 years in sales and marketing. With an MBA from Wharton and a BA from Vassar, she has held a variety of appointments in high-tech businesses. While in rabbinical school, she served as rabbi for Congregation Shirat Hayam in Duxbury, Mass.
“We are so excited to have Debra with us, she will add so much enthusiasm and guidance to our growing community,” CJ Tenner, president B’nai Vail, said. “Rabbi Rappaport brings a wonderful spiritual presence and an enlightened approach to the daily operations of B’Nai Vail.”
Rappaport said she likes the fact that B’nai Vail attracts young working adults, as well as folks of all ages.
“It is a real community of people who enjoy being together with others they might not necessarily meet outside of synagogue life,” she said. “I look forward to bringing additional programs and education to support this growing community.”
Record number of mitzvahs
B’nai Vail is also celebrating a record year for b’nai mitzvahs in the community. According to Jewish law, when children reach the age of maturity they become responsible for their actions. After this milestone, the children are privileged to participate in all areas of Jewish community life and bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual. The bar mitzvah (for boys) or bat mitzvah (for girls) celebrates their coming-of-age. During a Sabbath service, the young adult is called up and reads from the Torah (Hebrew scroll of the five books of Moses) and teaches the community something about their values within the context of the Jewish tradition.
Other community happenings
B’nai Vail offers a number of events throughout the summer, for individuals, families and second homeowners who wish to get involved, spend time with the rabbi or simply experience a sense of community. Upcoming events include:
n A Creekside Service on Aug. 4
n A Vail Mountain-top service on Aug. 11, followed by a concert at Eagle’s Nest
n The annual Leadville Cemetery Clean-Up Mitzvah Project on Aug. 12.
As the High Holidays approach in September, a full schedule of services will be available. For more information on these and other events, call the B’nai Vail office at 477-2992 or check their Web site atwww.bnaivail.org.
