Since moving to Springfield in 2007 with her husband Josh, Miryam Smilow has dedicated her time and efforts to the members of Congregation Israel of Springfield. Raised in a home by parents who were devoted to the greater Jewish community, Miryam sought to emulate their lessons and chose to settle in a warm and welcoming community with the opportunity to become deeply involved.

Over the last sixteen years, Miryam has taken on a myriad of roles across multiple shul initiatives, continually volunteering to ensure the success of every program. Currently, Miryam chairs the Gemilas Chesed committee, working with Rabbi Marcus to assist members of the community through all life cycle events in a respectful manner. She is one of the founders of Yom Chesed, a yearly event she co-chairs to unite the community and offers members of all ages the opportunity to participate in a multitude of meaningful chesed projects. Prior to this, Miryam served on the boards of both the Sisterhood and Mikvah.

Miryam was born in the Bronx before moving to West Orange with her parents and two sisters. She attended Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, followed by a year in Israel studying at Midreshet Moriah. After graduating from Stern College-YU with a degree in Biology, Miryam went on to receive her doctorate in physical therapy at UMDNJ, where she met her husband Josh.

Miryam currently works as a pediatric physical therapist with a focus on children with severe disabilities. Her most treasured role, however, is that of wife to Josh and mother of their 5 children, Eytan (15), Yedidya (13), Levi Yitzchak (10), Shalva (7) and Tzvi Elimelech (4).