• Bio•
Meet Ben
Benjamin Chaidell is currently Rabbi of Temple Beth Israel in Waltham, MA. He previously served as chaplain resident at New York Presbyterian/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and as associate rabbi at Adath Israel Congregation in Cincinnati, Ohio. Benjamin received rabbinic ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Benjamin loves the rabbinate because it offers him the opportunity to build community and reach people of all ages at critical moments in their lives. He has served as the Rabbi Bernard Lipnick Rabbinic Intern at Congregation B'nai Amoona in St. Louis, MO. He also interned at Temple Beth Israel in Port Washington, Long Island.
In addition to congregational work, Benjamin completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Mount Sinai Hospital, caring for people of all faiths. He also counseled and taught students at Hofstra University Hillel and led High Holiday services at Cornell University. In 2014-2015 Benjamin studied in Israel as part of the JTS program. He spent a summer at Camp Ramah assisting young adults with disabilities.
Benjamin also completed a Master's Degree in Jewish Education at JTS, building on his experience before rabbinical school as an Education Fellow at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) in Jackson, Miss. In this two-year Fellowship Benjamin joined a stellar team of educators to offer year-round support to Jewish communities teaching the ISJL's innovative supplementary school curriculum. He traveled to Jewish communities across the South to deliver engaging programs for people of all ages, consult for educators and community leaders, and lead services when no rabbi was available. Benjamin completed his education practicum at Central Synagogue, where he developed curricula and offered professional development to full time religious school educators.
Benjamin graduated from Yale College in May 2011. There he majored in religious studies and co-ran the student Conservative Minyan on campus. He enjoys music - especially from Israel, storytelling podcasts, and the New York Mets.
In addition to congregational work, Benjamin completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Mount Sinai Hospital, caring for people of all faiths. He also counseled and taught students at Hofstra University Hillel and led High Holiday services at Cornell University. In 2014-2015 Benjamin studied in Israel as part of the JTS program. He spent a summer at Camp Ramah assisting young adults with disabilities.
Benjamin also completed a Master's Degree in Jewish Education at JTS, building on his experience before rabbinical school as an Education Fellow at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) in Jackson, Miss. In this two-year Fellowship Benjamin joined a stellar team of educators to offer year-round support to Jewish communities teaching the ISJL's innovative supplementary school curriculum. He traveled to Jewish communities across the South to deliver engaging programs for people of all ages, consult for educators and community leaders, and lead services when no rabbi was available. Benjamin completed his education practicum at Central Synagogue, where he developed curricula and offered professional development to full time religious school educators.
Benjamin graduated from Yale College in May 2011. There he majored in religious studies and co-ran the student Conservative Minyan on campus. He enjoys music - especially from Israel, storytelling podcasts, and the New York Mets.