Senior Rabbi Search Updates

Fellow Congregants,

The search process is “behind the scenes” most of the time, so it’s not obvious how many people have contributed to our progress. At this point, it’s worth it to say thank you to all who have participated in ways large and small:

• Congregants, you have supported this process with your interest, your opinions, your emails and your patience. Over 60 of you met with committee members one-on-one, and many more provided input through emails, group meetings and surveys.

• Past Presidents have continually provided wisdom and perspective. You dove into Unconscious Bias training — a first. When we want to impress guests, we introduce them to you.

• The Board, too, joined in Unconscious Bias training, and has provided continual guidance and support. It was a combination of congregant and Board input that created the criteria for our search.

• The Search Advisory Group jumped in with listening ears and willing hands, providing a breadth of perspective and fresh energy when it was needed most

• The Search committee itself has worked tirelessly since July, often meeting multiple times a week and staying up late into the night reviewing materials and doing all the many tasks required to continue our forward motion.

It is impossible to count the many volunteer hours that have been invested in our future since last July. But if we look at just the scheduled meetings and concrete deliverables, it certainly exceeds 4,000 hours. Beth Am has a long history of deep congregant involvement and sense of ownership, and we stepped up to that legacy again this year. Many thanks to all who have contributed so much.

We continue to welcome congregant input; you can send comments or questions to search@betham.org. Thank you.

Loree Farrar, Deb Radin and Ben Lloyd
Senior Rabbi Search Co-chairs