Our goal is to keep you updated throughout the Rabbinic Search process! Click on the links below for specific timeline updates:
Gesher L’Atid: Bridge to the Future - An Overview
A word from our President
BJBE is embarking on a fourteen-month journey to find our next Senior Rabbi.
Given that this process involves four essential committees, we wanted a name that truly reflects the totality of our journey together. We have chosen Gesher L’Atid: Bridge to the Future. Steffanie Pinsky and Steve Harfield are the co-chairs of Gesher L’Atid.
We are so fortunate to have been given the blessing of time: Rabbi Kedar gave us over eighteen months’ notice about her retirement date, which is June 30, 2022. Thanks to her forward thinking, we have the luxury to take the time to clarify our values, hear from all of our congregants and learn more about what we collectively need and want in our next spiritual leader. This gift of time helps ensure our congregation will move toward our future in the healthiest way possible.
As we prepare to officially embark on our search, our Board of Trustees has utilized this extra time to research, reflect and commit to five important initial decisions.
A settled (Senior) rabbi versus an interim rabbi: A special advisory group researched and vetted the possibilities of settled vs. interim rabbi. Based on the advisory group’s recommendation, our Board of Trustees voted to focus on searching for a settled rabbi, as we believe this will best meet the needs of our congregation.
Visioning Committee: We have formed a Visioning Committee, co-led by Dale Busch and Carole Klein-Alexander. This committee will do the work of listening and synthesizing our congregation’s wants and needs in a new spiritual leader. Gathering a consensus of our congregation’s values, strengths and priorities will make our decisions about the Rabbinic candidates easier. It is imperative that we self-reflect and evaluate our current situation before beginning the search for a new rabbi. We must be intentional in seeking the most accurate picture of our congregation, not just the image of the few. The reflection needs to be public and communal, so it accurately reflects the congregation.
Search Committee: The Rabbinic Search Committee is co-chaired by Steffanie Pinsky and Steve Harfield. This group is committed to: 1) being transparent about the group’s work; 2) keeping BJBE congregants up to date on search efforts and 3) creating opportunities for congregants to share input and get involved.
Tribute Committee: We will also have a Tribute Committee that will be responsible for creating opportunities and moments for us to celebrate the legacy of Rabbi Kedar.
Transition Committee: Lastly, there will be a Transition Committee that will be tasked with ensuring that our new Senior Rabbi is welcomed and integrated into our BJBE community.
Our in-depth research tells us the process will have four distinct periods:
1) Visioning; 2) Search; 3) Tribute; and 4) Transition. In this communal effort, we will look to each one of you for your valuable input.
Thank you for your support in this sacred journey,
Brian Tenner