Rabbi Cindy Enger
Congregation Beth Israel welcomed Rabbi Cindy Enger as its spiritual leader in July 2005. Rabbi Enger received her rabbinical ordination in 2001 from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Rabbi Enger graduated from Princeton University and New York University School of Law. From 1990 to 1996, she practiced law in Chicago, first as an associate at McDermott, Will & Emery and then representing abused and neglected children as well as disabled adults at the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian.
In 2001, after her ordination, Rabbi Enger moved to Seattle where she directed the Jewish Program at FaithTrust Institute, (formerly the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence), an inter-religious organization that works nationally with clergy, congregations and other institutions to address the religious issues connected with domestic violence, child abuse and clergy ethics. At the same time, she provided rabbinic leadership to Congregation Kol Shalom on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Kolot Mayim Reform Congregation in Victoria, British Columbia. Rabbi Enger became the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel in Bellingham in 2005. Under her leadership, the congregation has experienced significant growth in membership as well as an increase in learning and worship opportunities.
Rabbi Enger enjoys writing, and her work has been published in various books and journals. She is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the National Commission of Rabbinic-Congregational Relations. Rabbi Enger is a member of the Professional Consultation Committee for the Clinical Pastoral Education program at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. She serves on the Ethics Advisory Committee for the Port of Bellingham. Rabbi Enger is also a member of the Rotary Club of Bellingham.
