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Rabbi Lindsey Healey-Pollack

Rabbi Lindsey Healey-Pollack is excited to join Congregation Or Shalom as rabbi. Rabbi Lindsey is a passionate educator, ritual facilitator and spiritual guide who seeks to foster deep connection with our authentic selves, our communities, and the Jewish tradition. 

She previously served as rabbi of Congregation Kol HaNeshamah in Englewood, NJ. She also was an educator and program coordinator for the Introduction to Judaism program at Town and Village Synagogue in New York, where she taught and guided students through the process of joining the Jewish people. 

Rabbi Lindsey was ordained in 2018 at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she also earned a Master of Arts degree in Talmud and rabbinic literature. Rabbi Healey-Pollack grew up in Houston, Texas and spent five years of her childhood living in Cairo, Egypt. She developed her passion for Jewish living and learning as an undergraduate at Scripps College in Claremont, CA, where she studied anthropology and philosophy. After college, she moved to New York and earned an MA in museum studies from New York University. 

Rabbi Lindsey is a lifelong learner who is inspired by the Jewish tradition’s values of inquiry, asking questions, and discussion. She is excited to share this spirit of curiosity and creativity with others. She believes that Jewish community and tradition should be accessible to everyone, and is committed to supporting people of diverse backgrounds and abilities in finding their unique personal connection to Judaism.

In both her work and personal life, Rabbi Lindsey seeks to integrate mind, body, heart, and soul. She includes meditation as part of her spiritual practice and can often be found outdoors, seeking inspiration and connection in nature. In her free time Rabbi Lindsey enjoys writing poetry, dabbling in a variety of arts and crafts, nerding out about history or whatever topic sparks her interest, and practicing yoga. She is looking forward to getting to know the Or Shalom community and exploring the New Haven area with her children.

We welcome Rabbi Lindsey at her first Shabbat Service on August 1, 2025

email rabbi@orshalomct.org

Rabbi Emeritus Alvin Wainhaus

Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus has served as our Rabbi for 44 years at Or Shalom.  On July 31st he will be stepping down from the pulpit to become our Rabbi Emeritus.  Rabbi Wainhaus, son of Holocaust survivors, was raised in an Orthodox environment in Boro Park, Brooklyn. A graduate of Brooklyn College with a degree in philosophy, he earned a Master of Education degree from NYU and was ordained at Yeshiva Beth Meir of Tel Aviv in 1972. Rabbi Wainhaus served congregations in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and in Manhattan prior to becoming Congregation Or Shalom’s first and only rabbi in 1981. 

Rabbi Wainhaus has immersed himself in the Jewish and secular life of the community and is highly regarded as a spiritual leader, educator, and lecturer on a wide range of religious and secular issues. His involvement in interfaith activities throughout Greater New Haven has earned him the respect and admiration of Jews and non-Jews alike.

Rachel Steigleder

Synagogue Administrator

A graduate of Joseph A. Foran High School in Milford, Rachel earned her college degree at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

Her professional background is in marketing and management, having worked in the health insurance field and for non-profit organizations.

Rachel not only grew up in the area but had her B'nai Mitzvah here at Or Shalom with her triplet brother and sister officiated by Rabbi Wainhaus.  

Rachel has two daughters, Megan and Allison. They reside in Orange and have been members of Or Shalom for many years. When Rachel is not working she is volunteering, traveling and enjoying friends and family.  

You can email Rachel at rachel.s@orshalomct.org

Ileane Kaczynski

Administrative Assistant

Ileane  takes on many roles at the Synagogue. She is an Administrative Assistant and takes on many tasks in the office; she is also our "shopper" for Onegs and Kiddush. Ileane can be found on Wednesdays and Sundays helping the Hebrew School out.

Before coming to Or Shalom Ileane was a substitute teacher for the Milford School System.

Her many hobbies include, volunteering, book club, seeing movies and enjoying her husband, three daughters and grandson.

Thu, August 21 2025 27 Av 5785