Rabbi Hammerman has been Beth El's spiritual leader since 1992.  He came to Beth El as assistant rabbi in 1987, after serving pulpits in Peekskill and Beacon, NY.  He was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1983, and also received a Masters in journalism from N.Y.U. and a B.A. from Brown University.

An accomplished writer, Rabbi Hammerman's articles have appeared in scores of periodicals, including the New York Times Magazine.  His column, "On One Foot," appears regularly in the New York Jewish Week.  He is author of "thelordismyshepherd.com: Seeking God in Cyberspace" and co-author of the children's book, "I Have Some Questions About God."  A noted Cyber-rebbe, he has pioneered the use of the Internet for inspirational and educational purposes, and his weekly Shabbat-O-Gram newsletter has an international following.

At Beth El, he has focused his efforts on creating an oasis of warmth, love and mutual respect befitting the role of a modern congregation in an increasingly alienating world.  Simultaneously, he strives to challenge congregants -- and himself -- to reach ever higher in setting spiritual and ethical objectives, and to delve more deeply into the rich vein of Jewish inspiration and wisdom available to us.

The rabbi has been president of the Council of Churches and Synagogues of Lower Fairfield County and the Stamford Board of Rabbis and is a member of the National Rabbinic Cabinet of the United Jewish Communities, a Chaplain for the Stamford Police and member of the pastoral advisory committee of Stamford Health Systems.  Rabbi Hammerman loves surfing the 'Net, rooting for the Boston Red Sox, a good, Israeli hummos, and all things Jewish.  He lives with his wife, Dr. Mara Hammerman, a psychologist, two children, Ethan and Daniel, and their two standard poodles.

Hazzan-Emeritus Sidney G. Rabinowitz, formerly Cantor and Director of Musical Activities at Temple Beth El, Stamford, Connecticut, since 1970, is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He is a member of the Cantors Assembly, from which he has been commissioned. He is a past president of the Connecticut Region of the Cantors Assembly and has served as a member of the Executive Council of the Cantors Assembly, where he served on the Commission of Youth Activities. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Cantors Institute.

Hazzan Rabinowitz has distinguished himself as an interpreter of Jewish music. He was the conductor of three choirs at Temple Beth El: The Adult Mixed Voice Choir, the Sisterhood Choir and the Temple Beth El Junior Choir. Besides their extensive repertories, the choirs premiered new works of Jewish music composed for them. In the community, Hazzan Rabinowitz had an enviable reputation for his loving care and professionalism in preparing 1,500 children and adults in becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah candidates.

In 1985, Hazzan Rabinowitz was the recipient of the Mitzvah Award, presented by Jewish Family Service of Stamford, for his humane contribution to the welfare of the community. As a member of the Board of Trustees of Jewish Family Service, he took the initiative to produce six concerts to benefit the Jewish Family Service. Hazzan Rabinowitz, under the auspices of Jewish Family Service organized a wedding for 11 Russian couples who did not have the opportunity to be married according to Jewish Law in Russia. In doing so, he was able to involve all rabbis and cantors in Stamford, and the general Jewish community, which provided a traditional reception with all food donated by various caterers and a well known Jewish orchestra which also offered its services gratis. He is also a recipient of the Hall of Honor Award, presented by the Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. In 1991 Hazzan Rabinowitz was the artistic director of “A Celebration of Choir,” an interfaith concert sponsored by the Council of Churches and Synagogues. In 1992 he was honored by the Stamford Jewish Community Center at the Annual POSH Luncheon in appreciation for his many years of service to the Senior Adult Program at the Center. In 2000 he was again honored by POSH at a dinner in his honor.

In 1995, Temple Beth El honored its Hazzan for 25 years of service to the Temple and community. In his honor, a system to aid the hearing impaired was installed in the sanctuary, chapel and junior auditorium. It is also the year during which the Hazzan was designated the “Clergy of the Year” by The Council of Churches and Synagogues, he being the first Jewish clergy in Stamford, CT to be the recipient of this honor.

In May 2002 Hazzan Rabinowitz was honored by Temple Beth El and the Stamford Community upon his retirement after 32 years of service. In March 2006 Hazzan Rabinowitz was honored by the Jewish Theological Seminary with the degree of Doctor of Music Honoris Causa.

Hazzan Rabinowitz is married to the former Sondra Resnick. They are the parents of three daughters and have nine delightful grandchildren.

Hazzan & Mrs. Rabinowitz now reside in Burke, Virginia.