Central Shule in a pickle
Central Shule Chabad would like to employ a new, younger rabbi to head up the synagogue, but its current rabbi has life tenure and a desire to remain with the congregation.
CENTRAL Shule Chabad would like to employ a new, younger rabbi to head up the synagogue, but its current rabbi has life tenure and a desire to remain with the congregation.
The dilemma now facing the shul is whether it can afford another rabbi.
Rabbi Yitzhok Riesenberg was the founding rabbi of the shul in 1998.
According to the rules of the synagogue, “the laws of Chazakah” apply, by which the job is his for life.
However, the overwhelming majority of congregants want a younger senior rabbi. An ad hoc committee has been trying to work on the future rabbinical leadership of the congregation for the last six months.
The issue came to a head at the shul’s annual general meeting (AGM) last month when a letter, signed by three members of the committee including Rabbi Riensenberg, was handed out claiming that a resolution had been found.
“A consensus was reached by the ad hoc committee that a new, younger senior rabbi (together with a rebbetzin) would be appointed, with Rabbi Riesenberg assuming a newly created executive rabbinic position,” the letter stated.
“This consensus is a recognition of (i) the growth of the congregation and realisation that the delivery of quality rabbinic services and leadership in a timely fashion has to be a team effort and can no longer be the responsibility of one person (as recognised throughout the Jewish world), (ii) the requirements, expectations and wishes of our congregants, (iii) the various demographics and needs of our congregants and (iv) the constitutions of the shul and the centre.”
But the letter did not note that the consensus was contingent on a review of the shul’s budgetary position.
Several members of the shul committee are concerned that it may not be able to afford a younger rabbi while Rabbi Riesenberg continues to serve at the synagogue.
There was a fiery debate at the AGM and, after a long meeting, it was adjourned to give the ad hoc committee and others time to work on a resolution – and determine if the shul can afford a new rabbi while paying Rabbi Riesenberg – to help the congregation move forward.
The continuation of the AGM will take place on Tuesday, March 7, at 8pm.
JOSHUA LEVI
comments