Susan Mittag will be honored for her 10 years as executive director of Congregation Beth El in Fairfield. The July 15 event, “Oh What a Night,” features ‘50s- and ‘60s-era rock ‘n’ roll with the musical group, “Yesteryear.”
Mittag moved to Fairfield from Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1995 when her husband, Barry, was hired as a math professor at a local university.
Until 2001, she commuted to her job in the garment district in Manhattan. But after 9/11, the industry experienced a slowdown and the business, and Mittag decided to find a job closer to home.

Susan Mittag

“I was a little hesitant to apply for the position at Beth El because I had never worked in a non-profit environment, let alone a synagogue,” she says. Before the interview, she attended a Shabbat service at Beth El to get a feel for the place.
“As soon as I entered the sanctuary, congregants came up to welcome me,” she says. “I felt at home right away.”
Among her many duties as executive director, Mittag oversees the scheduling of b’nei mitzvah and has been a guest at many of those celebrations. Two years ago, she was inspired to embark on her own spiritual journey, and learned to read Hebrew for the first time. In June,
she celebrated her bat mitzvah along with five other women.
“Susan is the heartbeat of Congregation Beth El,” says CBE president, Steven Robifker.
“I could not have a better partner for addressing issues or making things happen. Susan is always there, no matter what.”

“Oh What a Night” concert, cocktails, and casual dinner: Sunday, July 15, 7 p.m.,
Congregation Beth El, 1200 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield | Ticket info: (203) 374-5544 / congbethel@aol.com

Susan Mittag