Rabbi Alan Lefkowitz, a native of Albany, N. Y. has been the Rabbi at Congregation Beth Ahm since September 1999. He is also serving as chaplain at the Connecticut Valley Hospital. Previously, Rabbi Alan was Cantor and Education Director of Beth Jacob Synagogue in Norwich, Conn. for 10 years.  He had served as the spiritual leader for United Brethren Congregation of Hebron, Conn. and at Beth El Synagogue in Torrington, Conn. He also served as Cantor /Educator at Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield, Ct. Before coming to Connecticut, he was Cantor at synagogues in Amherst, NY, Sun Valley, Calif., and Akron, Ohio.  He also served as a teacher in a yearlong volunteer program in Israel.

In January 1999, Rabbi Lefkowitz received his ordination as rabbi from Tifereth Yisrael Rabbinical Yeshiva in New York City.  He also did rabbinical coursework at the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York.  During the past few years, Rabbi Lefkowitz has taken Family Education and Education Leadership courses at the Hebrew College in West Hartford, Conn.  He received a Masters degree in Pastoral Counseling from St. Joseph's College in West Hartford, and his cantorial certification and undergraduate degree in Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College in New York City.  He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City in February 1998. And in 2002, he was awarded the Doctor of Music, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

During his years as a religious leader, Rabbi Lefkowitz has developed many innovative programs.  He published "A Haggadah for Non-Jews" to explain the rituals and meaning of the Passover service, and has developed interfaith programs for Thanksgiving and other occasions.  He wrote a musical play for Hanukah using the music of the 1960s; a Purim play, Consecration Service and  a Hanukkah story which were published by the Coalition of Advancement of Jewish Education(CAJE). He recently compiled a Creative Machzor for the second day of Rosh Hashana

Rabbi Alan has participated in and been influenced by the work of The Forum; Insight seminars; Mastery of Ministry: Making a Difference-A course for Ministers; P'nai Or-Jewish Renewal; B'nai Jeshurun of New York City; the Mindfulness retreats at Elat Chayyim Jewish Retreat Center; and has attended workshops sponsored by the NY Healing Center and Healthcare Chaplaincy.

Rabbi Alan's commitment is that he wants those around him to love who they are with good self-esteem.