One Minute With Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields
By Libby Barsky
August 1, 2008

Name: Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

Occupation: Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Toms River

Address: Toms River

Family: Husband is Jonathan Fields a freelance graphic and digital designer who is a stay at home dad for their three children: Cameron Elizabeth 4 1/2 , who will attend kindergarten at Solomon Schechter Academy of Ocean and Monmouth Counties; Coby Dov 2 1/2  and Samuel Peretz, born July 1, 2008. Parents Carol and Dr. Arthur H. Wolintz, Chairman of the Division of Ophthalmology and Neuro-Ophthalmology at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center and professor of ophthalmology at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical School. They are both active members of Flatbush Shaare Torah Jewish Center and Carol is pro-bono synagogue executive director and Arthur is president. Sister Dr. Robyn J. Wolintz is a Neuro-ophthalmologist and lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Paul Weintraub, and daughters: Felicia, 7, twins Erica and Emily 4 1/2.

Community activities: Chairwoman of the Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Women Rabbis. A member of the Rabbinical Assembly Nominations Committee; the Workforce Housing-Community Land Trust in Toms River; Toms River Interfaith Clergy Group and SABRA, Shore Area Board of Rabbis.

Hobbies: Photography and scrap booking.

Self-portrait: "I am very passionate about what I do, and give 125 percent to all my endeavors. I try to live my life by keeping in mind the idea that we are created b’tzelem Elohim, in God’s image. I attempt to be kind and compassionate to those around me. I don’t perform any task half-way, so you can say I’m a perfectionist. I’m a very good listener. I am sympathetic and empathetic to everyone. I can be a lot of fun and have a good sense of humor. I also have a keen appreciation for the blessings in my life."

Motto: "The day is short, and the tasks are great" -- Pirkei Avot

Greatest accomplishment: "Our three children, Cameron, Coby, and Samuel, and fulfilling my lifelong dream of being a Conservative rabbi.

Bad habits: "I am a perfectionist and love chocolate."

Favorite TV show: "The ‘3 N’s’ are big in our house -- NBA, Noggin, and the News."

Favorite food: Pizza and chocolate.

Best childhood memory: "As a child I loved attending Junior Congregation with my older sister. I couldn’t read Hebrew but I would sing all the prayers from memory. I played "rabbi" by wearing one of my father’s yarmulkes and a white scarf and belted out all the prayers I learned in Junior Congregation. My Playskool schoolhouse was my Beit Midrash and all the figurines were attending Junior Congregation and I would sing all the prayers. I loved attending synagogue with my family especially on Saturday nights with my father when I would hold the Havdalah candle."

People don’t know that I... "Performed research while still in high school on rheumatoid arthritis for three summers at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, working one day a week in the Rheumatology Clinic at Kings County Medical Center. This research on effects of the Histidine-Cystine-Copper Complex on Imnoglobulin G and its relation to rheumatoid arthritis resulted in having two abstracts published and becoming a semi-finalist in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search."

Last book I read: "‘The Triumph of Deborah,’ by Eva Etzioni-Halevy. We had the author speak at Congregation B’nai Israel."

The biggest asset in the local Jewish communities: "The services and programs provided by the Jewish Family and Children’s Service, such as the Grief after Loss support group they facilitate at Congregation B’nai Israel."

The biggest problem in the local Jewish communities: "The various Jewish groups are all trying to fundraise from the same people. It is very difficult for people to give to so many worthy causes in today’s economy."

If I had more time I would... "study Daf Yomi -- a page of the Talmud each day."