Isabel "Izzy" Kaplan

WILLIMANTIC – Isabel “Izzy” Kaplan has been elected president of Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) in Willimantic.
A native New Yorker, Kaplan and her husband Barry have lived in Bethel for the past 25 years, where they raised their two sons, Aaron and Jay.  Seeking a smaller congregation with which to affiliate, they joined CBI several years ago where they were impressed by the congregation’s warm welcome and creative programming.
Kaplan wasted no time in becoming active in CBI life, attending Rabbi Nelly Altenburger’s study groups, joining the House Committee and becoming involved in the women’s group and prayer service.  Her husband was invited to join CBI’s “Not Ready for Prime Time Klezmer Band.
“The variety of creative educational and cultural high quality programs coming out of such a small congregation is amazing,” Kaplan observes.  “It is truly ‘the little congregation that can’.”