Our spiritual leader is Rabbi Wes Kalmar.  Rabbi Kalmar,
originally from Baltimore, came to us in the Fall of 2004 after spending three years as the rabbi of Congregation Mount Sinai in Jersey City, NJ.  He is a graduate of Yeshiva University, has a master’s degree in Medieval Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School, and obtained his Semicha from Rabbi Isaac Elchonon Theological Seminary.  Rabbi Kalmar studied for several years at Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim in Israel. Prior to moving to New Haven, Rabbi Kalmar taught Jewish history and Jewish law and led the Israel Advocacy Club at Bat Torah Academy, a girl’s high school in Suffern, NY. He also has an extensive background working with Jewish youth under the auspices of the National Council of Synagogue Youth (NCSY), both in the United States and Israel. 

In the two years that he has been here, Rabbi Kalmar has developed a culture of learning, with weekly lectures, special holiday learning, and daily Torah study.  Rabbi Kalmar has expanded the activities of Westville’s numerous and active committees.
Rabbi Kalmar asserts, “Westville is a wonderful community, warm and welcoming.  It is a great place to live a rich Jewish life and offers both spiritual and material benefits.  We’re very happy to be here and we look forward to growing with the community.”

Rabbi Kalmar is currently the Chairman of the New Haven Board of Rabbis and is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven and the Jewish Community Center.

Rabbi Kalmar’s wife Dr. Jessica Kalmar, a neuropsychologist, is an Associate Research Scientist in the Psychiatry Department at Yale University School of Medicine where she is conducting research in Bipolar Disorder.  They have two daughters, Rebecca and Eliana.  Rabbi Kalmar enjoys playing basketball in the JCC league and softball on our Westville team.  He encourages anyone to contact him at the synagogue (203-389-9513) or via email rabbikalmar@sbcglobal.net