February 2012

President's Message

           In the weeks since Rabbi Borovitz announced his retirement,
numerous people have asked about the search process.  I thought it
would be helpful to offer an initial update on the search process.

           I and the other members of the executive committee (the
vice presidents of the board) have been seeking the advice of the past
presidents and members of the search committee who led the process
that led to the hiring of Rabbi Borovitz.  We also have been speaking
with the URJ and CCAR, the arms of the Reform Movement that will
assist us throughout the search process, and with other synagogues
that recently underwent searches for rabbis.

           At the same time, we have been identifying the various
demographic groups within the congregation that need to be represented
on the search committee.  It is critical that the committee represent
the diverse interests, backgrounds and needs of our congregation.
 Once we finish identifying the various groups within the congregation
that need to be represented on the committee, I will work with the
executive committee to select the members of the search committee and
present the committee to the board.  One of the gratifying things I
have learned in the past few weeks is that we have so many members who
care deeply about our congregation and who want to participate in the
process of selecting our next rabbi.  While it won’t be possible to
include on the committee everyone who is interested in serving, the
search process will involve all members of our congregation.  We all
need to participate in the various venues that will be used to help
define who we are as a congregation, what type of congregation we want
to become and what skills our next rabbi needs to help us get there.
 Ultimately, the entire congregation needs to be involved in our final
decision.

           Once the search committee is finalized, we will set up an
email address for any correspondence with the search committee.  As we
move forward with the process, the committee will announce its plans
to engage the congregation through a variety of means in the process.
 I will be asking the search committee to write regular articles in
the bulletin to ensure that the entire congregation is kept apprised
of the progress in the search, which should last into early 2013.

           As I noted above, I am very grateful for the strong
interest in helping to find and recruit the rabbi who will lead Temple
Avodat Shalom into its next phase.   The interest proves to me that
our congregation is far more than any one individual.  Our
congregation succeeds because so many of our members come forward and
say “Hineini” (Here I am) when the congregation has a need.  Also, I
am extremely grateful to Rabbi Borovitz, Cantor Josephson, Rabbi
Feldstein, Stella Teger (welcome back from the birth of your grandson,
Sam), Stephanie Mandelbaum-Dresher and Barbara Haber for continuing to
work full throttle to lead our congregation.  These two facts remind
me that our congregation’s success lies not in any one individual but
in the sum total of our professionals and volunteers.  I ask each of
you to take the time to recommit yourself to our congregation and our
community.  Help us to continue to build the community we all aspire
to be part of.  Help us greet our guests and reconnect with long-time
members.  Help us to create a welcoming community that is strengthened
by our wonderful clergy but that is not dependent on any single
individual.  Help us to continue to be a congregation to which each of
us is proud to belong.  Working together, we will write the next
chapter in our congregation’s history.

Michael Starr

President