The Faces of  Israel Congregation

Cantor Scott Buckner

Beginning his pulpit career as Cantor of Tifereth Israel Congregation in New Bedford, MA, Cantor Scott Buckner then served for 23 years as Cantor of Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka, MN, where he was responsible for music, religious and spiritual life, Jewish education, and congregational leadership. Under his leadership AJC’s cultural arts committee produced outstanding concerts and programs from events featuring virtuoso musicians like Yitzak Perlman & Mandy Patinkin to wonderful Jewish artists like Danny Maseng & Craig Taubman. Cantor Buckner commissioned many Jewish liturgical compositions among them Meir Finkelstein’s Psalm 150, Hashkiveinu & Shalom Rav. 

Cantor  Buckner joined Israel Congregation as our Spiritual Leader June 2017 bringing with him enormous energy and introducing us to new and exciting perspectives serving to make Judaism relevant to our modern lives through an approach anchored in mindfulness and informed by his training at Institute for Jewish Spirituality. He is deeply involved in interfaith community work and currently serves as President of The Interfaith Council of The Northshire. Cantor Buckner's knowledge, wisdom, creativity and musical gifts are truly inspirational.

Lisa Bendik,

Office Administrator

A treasured friend and colleague, Lisa Bendik originally joined  Israel Congregation in 2013. After a short hiatus, she returned to Israel Congregation, with the understanding here is where she belongs and is greatly appreciated. Her very special talent as a “Jill-of-all-trades” results in Lisa being an integral part of the daily management and coordination of all facets in our synagogue life.

Rebecca Charhon,

Education Director

Rebecca Charhon was welcome as the Education Director of the Israel Congregation Hebrew School the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. Rebecca began her career in Jewish education as a teacher at Temple Beth El in Glens Falls, NY having become the Religious School Director of that school which services 2 small congregations.

Rebecca loves reading and teaching Torah, Hebrew and Jewish history and her philosophy is that the more interactive we can make Jewish education for our students, the more it will develop into lifelong Jewish learning. 

Jewish Education is truly Rebecca’s passion and she loves working with children and their families. She is proud to have received her Master’s degree in Jewish Instructional Education from Gratz College. Rebecca attends yearly NewCaje conferences for Jewish educators so that she is constantly learning and growing as an educator to meet the needs of the communities that she services.