I am excited to announce that Temple has launched the search process to engage new senior clergy.  This search process will run along two tracks, both beginning immediately:  First, we will begin the search process to identify and retain our full-time Senior Rabbi.  Second, since this search process may involve a longer path with a start date for our permanent rabbi as late as July 1, 2021, we will also be looking for one or more temporary clergy to support our worship and education programs prior to the arrival of our next full-time rabbi.  We believe that this support will sustain us in the short term by providing relief to Cantor Barry and Director of Education Michelle Penson.  As we proceed, we will evaluate whether additional or different coverage is needed.   

 

To facilitate these searches, we have formed search committees for each of the temporary Rabbi and full-time Rabbi positions.  The temporary Rabbi Search Committee will be charged with working with Cantor Barry, Executive Director Gene Meyers and Michelle Penson to identify the best available candidates to provide short-term support for our congregation.  The full-time Rabbi Search Committee will be charged with identifying, screening, and interviewing candidates and making recommendations for filling our Senior Rabbi position on a full-time basis.

These two committees will be co-chaired by Miriam Greenhut and Isabel Balotin.  Miriam is a long-time member of the congregation and currently serves on the Board of Trustees and chairs our Education Committee.  Isabel has also been a member of the congregation for many years and served as its Executive Director from 1996 to 2002.  Isabel is also the creator and director of The Jewish Federation's Shalom Jacksonville, which serves as a welcoming group to Jewish families and individuals who have recently moved to the Jacksonville area.

The other committee members have been carefully selected in order to represent the full demographic characteristics and interest areas of our membership.  Our intent was to select an active, well-represented group of individuals who are independent thinkers but also have the ability to build consensus.   While we had many other well qualified and passionate congregants who wished to be a member of the Committee, it was important that we limited the Committee to a manageable size. For all those willing to serve, we thank you. 

The following are members of the temporary Rabbi Search Committee:

Michael Kuhr

Ed Mallow

Sydney Mann

David Tucker

 

The following are members of the permanent Rabbi Search Committee:

Suzette Allen

Susan Board

Bernard Depaul

Matthew Edelman

Mel Fruit

Rachel Kuhbander

Jill Metlin

Doug Oberdorfer

Gaby Young

 

In addition to these Committee members, Cantor Barry, Gene Meyers, Michelle Penson, Rabbi Goodman and myself will serve as ex-officio advisors to the Committees.

The Committees have just begun their work, which was initiated by a live Zoom Meeting with the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) Placement Office and laid the groundwork for the processes that we will follow.

When you get a chance, please thank these members for their willingness to dedicate their valuable time and energy to this most important activity.  Feel free to share any thoughts that you may have with them, or myself at any time.  As we move through the process, I will continue to keep you informed of our progress.