By the time you read this article, the new decade will be well underway; however, I did want to take a moment to think about the transformation of our magnificent synagogue over the 2000’s. We opened the decade by installing a Senior Rabbi for the first time since the 1960’s. In the years that followed, we added depth and unbelievable talent to our klei kodesh and professional staff. We ended the decade by moving into our new home on Main Street. Through all of that, we have been able to maintain the values and traditions that have made Beth El what it has been and that will propel it forward into the future.

One of the puzzle pieces that we added in this decade was Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz, or less formally (as we love to call him), “Rabbi Jeff”. Rabbi Jeff came to us in 2003 as Assistant Rabbi, moving to Associate Rabbi a couple of years later. As you may know, this position is really supposed to be fairly temporary. Of course, that’s not been our experience here at Beth El. In his accompanying article, Rabbi Jeff notes that we have not “graduated” an Assistant/Associate Rabbi, as the only one we have had in recent memory is Rabbi Krupnick. However, as you have probably heard by now, we will be “graduating” Rabbi Jeff in the Summer of 2011. I bring this up with very mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am very excited for Rabbi Jeff; I know that he will be excellent in his “own” pulpit, wherever that may be; he is exactly the sort of rabbi our movement needs. On the other hand, selfishly, I will be sad to see him leave us. He has been such an integral part of our transformation this past decade. Moreover, on a personal level, he and his wonderful family have become such a good friends to us, and I know many, many of you feel the same way. Most congregations of our size graduate their Assistant/Associate Rabbis pretty frequently; it will be a new experience for us, and it will be a little bittersweet.

Of course, now is not the time for all of the Rabbi Jeff tributes, as his work here is far from done (that time will come). He will continue in his current role as an integral part of our professional/religious leadership for the next 18 months. He will also have some additional responsibilities with respect to our new Assistant Rabbi. Specifically, Rabbi Krupnick, Hazzan Pomerantz-Boro, and I will be visiting the JTS the week of February 21st to interview graduates for our new Assistant Rabbi position here at Beth El. From there, over the succeeding couple of months, we will audition some of these candidates on Shabbat mornings, followed by group interviews by our Search Committee. Sometime on either side of Pesach, we will likely make an offer to our preferred candidate, who will join us before the High Holidays. This process will allow us a very orderly transition, as Rabbi Jeff will spend considerable time mentoring our new Assistant so that person will be in position to make an immediate impact.

(See Rabbi Arnowitz's article posted in the sermon section of the web site).

As Rabbi Jeff says in his article, it is too soon to be saying goodbye, as that will not be happening for awhile. However, it isn’t too soon to say “thank you”. Of course, it will be very hard to thank him enough for his leadership, counsel, guidance, and friendship over the last seven years and for the 18 months ahead. Still, Rabbi Jeff, thank you for all that you have done and all that you will do!

B’Shalom

Edward S. Hochberg
President