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Rabbi's Page
Rabbi Norman D. Koch was ordained in 1979 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, the same year in which he became Temple Sholom’s spiritual leader.
Rabbi Koch takes great pride in the long-term relationship he and the Temple Sholom Family share. It is in these manifold interpersonal relationships between Rabbi and Congregants wherein the special strengths of our Community can be found. Perhaps Rabbi’s strongest skill (among many) is his ability to relate Torah to our daily lives. He believes his responsibility is to teach Jewish tradition in such a way that it offers people the tools and opportunities to fulfill their responsibilities as 21st century American Jews.
Rabbi Koch has often mused that he is a go-between bringing Jews and Judaism closer to each other. He is fond of citing Rabbi Tarfon: “It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task. Yet, neither are you free to desist from engaging in the task.” (Pirkei Avot, 2:21) His leadership on tikkun olam b’malchut Shaddai is evident in our very active Social Action Committee. In addition, Rabbi Koch has been a driving force behind our nationally recognized education program, has created a ritual practice that is sensitive to the full range of Jewish observance, and has formed a true community that has enabled us to be the small synagogue that dreams big and succeeds far beyond is size.
Known and respected as a leader with steadfast convictions and a passion for social justice, Rabbi Koch is an active member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) and a past president of its Northeast Region. He is active in the New Milford Clergy Association, serves on the Medical Ethics Committee at New Milford Hospital, is a member of the Ethics Commission of the Town of New Milford, currently serves and has served on many committees, commissions, boards, and organizations in the greater New Milford community as well as in the local, regional, and national Jewish communities. Rabbi Koch has often served these organizations in leadership positions. He has, for decades, served on the faculty of the URJ’s Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA and numerous NFTY Northeast Institutes.
Rabbi Koch, born in Brooklyn, was raised in Cortlandt Manor, NY, where his family was very active in the local Reform synagogue. He and his wife Roz live in New Milford. They have five children and one grandchild.
You can email Rabbi Koch at rabbi@tsholom.org.
The Rabbi's Message
Rabbi Koch’s monthly newsletter column is available below in PDF format.
Photograph courtesy of Nelu Grinberg
Copyright 2007
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