Senior Rabbi Search

An Update on Our Senior Rabbi Rabbinic Search 

Dear Friends,

Many have asked where we are with our search for Beth Am’s next Senior Rabbi. Hopefully, this note will answer your questions.

First, a bit of history.

As you may recall, the congregation helped identify the primary competencies¹ we seek in a Senior Rabbi and this guidance continues to inform our way forward.  During our last Senior Rabbi search, we had two internal candidates. The process we followed placed them within a pool of candidates that also included external candidate rabbis. We understand now that considering internal and external candidates simultaneously was flawed. After our own internal evaluation of our process, as well as consulting with the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), and other congregations that have considered internal candidates, we believe there is a better process to use.

All of which leads us to share that  Rabbi Heath Watenmaker, our Senior Associate Rabbi, who has served our congregation faithfully for 11 years, has asked to be considered a candidate to become Beth Am’s next Senior Rabbi.

As a result of our conversations with him — and with his full agreement — our Board of Directors will engage Rabbi Heath in a healthy and transparent process of discernment and assessment, in order to determine if this is the right next step for him and for our congregation. Therefore, we will dedicate the next four months determining if Rabbi Heath will be named Associate-Successor. The Board will vote on his candidacy and the congregation will be asked to ratify the decision in June 2025.  If his candidacy is successful, he will spend the following 12 months working with Rabbi Nemitoff, honing the unique set of skills needed to excel as Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Heath would then assume the role and title of Senior Rabbi on July 1, 2026. 

If, though, he or the Board and congregation decide that this is not the path to take (a decision that will be made in June, 2025), we will immediately seat an (external candidate) Search Committee, with Ben Baum and Barbara Illowsky serving as co-chairs. An application will be prepared in advance and submitted to the CCAR, and we will begin to accept candidate resumes. A national rabbinic search would proceed, with the expectation that by next February/March 2026, we would have a successful candidate who will begin as Senior Rabbi, on July 1, 2026.

Our process for assessing Rabbi Heath will be three-pronged.

First, he has been asked and is leading a major initiative, called the “Four Pillars Initiative,” in which he is working with lay leaders, staff, and clergy to streamline Beth Am’s approach to programming. This will help us view his leadership and management skills.

Second, he will engage a select group of cohorts (representing different demographic areas of the congregation) in targeted conversations, where he will share his views and insights specific to those groups. This will help a broader-based group of congregants hear and reflect on his leadership and vision.

Finally, Rabbi Heath will present to the Board of Directors and Past Presidents a vision statement, reflecting his aspirations for Beth Am under his leadership. This will help us understand his vision and how it coalesces with where we are today and/or inspires us for where we might yet reach.

In May, after gathering input from the various cohorts with whom he met, along with those of our past presidents, staff, and congregants², our Board of Directors will vote on his candidacy, as described above..

The congregation has asked for transparency from Beth Am’s leadership. We are providing this information about Rabbi Heath in that spirit.

We make one request, in return. This is not simply a popularity contest. We all love Rabbi Heath and love what he has done for us. As described, there will be time — through our process — to offer feedback and insights. For now, please allow the process to go forward, without lobbying and without offering unsolicited feedback. We appreciate your understanding.

As we embark on choosing our next Senior Rabbi, we will do so demonstrating respect (“kavod”) for Rabbi Heath and pursuing a process filled with integrity so that Beth Am can continue to thrive as we move forward with this new chapter in our community’s life.

Amy Gerstein
President
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 ¹primary competencies:
Experienced leader: vision, management, record of accomplishment, fundraising, change management, innovative, mentorship of others.
“Big Tent” leader, collaborative, inclusive, able to respectfully engage multiple perspectives and deal with conflict.
High emotional intelligence: kind and compassionate, humble and with a sense of humor.
Wise and learned, with deep Jewish knowledge, curious, and an excellent teacher.  
Spiritual leader who respects a range of ritual practices, and leads inspiring services with engaging sermons.
Transparent communicator, capable of using a variety of media and methods.
Educator who can teach people of all ages.
Advocate for social justice.
Deep love of and commitment to Israel.

²congregants:
In late April/early May, we will provide a unique email address to all congregants, so individuals can offer their own thoughts and/or experiences regarding Rabbi Heath with our entire Board. Our commitment is that every Board member will have access to every congregant response. In this way, each of you will have a formal opportunity to provide your own guidance to our Board as they make this decision that will impact Beth Am’s future.