Get to Know Howard Lapidus

For anyone who has attended High Holy Day services at Temple Sholom, Howard Lapidus is our Shofar blower extraordinaire and has been for the last 50 years! Just as he gives his Shofar blowing his all, so too has he given his time, talent, and expertise to our temple throughout his many years as a stalwart temple member. Howard explained, “I have been a member of Temple Sholom since 1975. Though Sheldon Ezring was the rabbi at that time, Rabbi Koch, z’l was the rabbi for most of my Temple Sholom years. He was a great influence on me.”

Howard is passionate about serving the temple and has been a board member for many years—helping to guide growth and continuity. He currently serves as treasurer and has served twice as president. He also chairs the cemetery committee.

Musically speaking, blowing our Shofar is only one of his many talents. Howard is an accomplished cellist. He has performed with several orchestras and performs during Kol Nidre services every year. He also plays guitar!

Aside from his devotion to the temple, he loves to read and also relishes a good game of golf. Although he describes himself as a “duffer at golf,” he loves the camaraderie of playing for fun with friends.

Howard has a degree in music education from the University of Hartford, a Master’s in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University, and a sixth-year degree from Southern Connecticut State University. He was a teacher of orchestral, instrumental, and classroom music at K-12 levels. “I really enjoyed working with the students. They learned to work together toward a common goal, and their successes were very satisfying to me,” he shared.

Howard has lived in New Milford since 1975. When Howard moved to the area from Hartford for a teaching position in Regional School District 12, he chose the town of New Milford because it had a temple, while other surrounding towns did not. He and his wife Joan share three children, seven grandchildren, and their 12-year-old cat Skittles.