BQLI Region thanks our host synagogue, Temple Beth Sholom, for their support of this evening's program.
Rabbi Margie Cella
Rabbi Margie Cella is a second-career rabbi who was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2019. Before beginning her Rabbinic studies at JTS, she had a successful 30-year career as a high school math teacher.
Rabbi Cella previously served as the part-time interim rabbi of Congregation Agudas Israel, in Newburgh, NY, and as the part-time rabbi of the Jewish Center of the Moriches on Long Island.
Since April of 2021, Rabbi Cella has been serving as an Educator for Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. She can be found every Tuesday teaching our Makom BeYachad zoom program, and has organized several other zoom programs, including the annual Sichot beyn Achayot series in conjunction with our Masorti Olami sisters in Israel.
She is currently teaching a series of Torah Trop classes for the women in this year’s WLCJ Bat Mitzvah Class.
In addition, Rabbi Cella writes the Weekly Words of Torah column that appears in the Women’s League Week.
Teaching is both her love and her strength, and she loves sharing Torah and inspiring others to deepen their knowledge of Judaism and commitment to observing the mitzvot.
She and her husband, Raymond have been married for 50 years. They have a daughter and a son and have been blessed with 4 grandsons and 2 “bonus” grandchildren.
Her first book, Hindsight is 2020: Torah Lessons from a Turbulent Time was published in 2023. Based on a year-long study of the Torah during the pandemic, it is written in the style of a journal, with an entry for each aliyah of every parashah of the Torah. The entries reflect not only the weekly Torah portion but also the events of the turbulent year during which they were written. Through writing in a very approachable style, Rabbi Cella makes the Torah accessible to all.
Rabbi Cella is also writing a book based on her life story, including her journey to Judaism together with her husband, and her journey from there to the rabbinate.
Cantor Ingbar Goldmann
Cantor Inbar Goldmann, born and raised in Israel, served in the Israel Defense Forces before pursuing her musical training.
She holds a Bachelor of Music from the Academy of Music and Dance at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Master of Music from Mannes School of Music.
She has received awards from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, IVAI Tel Aviv, and the Ronen Foundation.
An accomplished performer, Cantor Goldmann has appeared in international music festivals and concert series. Her performance credits include opera productions, gala concerts, recitals, and more.
She began her cantorial career as a soloist at Sutton Place Synagogue in 2015, working alongside her mentor, Cantor Dov Keren, and studying under the guidance of her teacher and mentor, Cantor Avshalom Zfira. She was ordained as a cantor and became a full member of the Cantors Assembly in 2024.
Since September 2025, she has served as the Cantor of Temple Gates of Prayer.