New phase for Ark Shule
The Ark Centre's Rabbi Shneur Reti-Waks is retiring from his rabbinic leadership of the shule but will remain in a part-time role as its music director.
THE Ark Centre’s Rabbi Shneur Reti-Waks is retiring from his rabbinic leadership of the shule but will remain in a part-time role as its music director.
General manager Lisa Naphtali told The AJN that Rabbi Reti-Waks, Ark Centre’s senior rabbi, who joined the shule in 2010, will step down from his position on June 1, with the shule’s Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann and Rebbetzin Mushka Kantor Kaltmann assuming the roles of rabbi and rebbetzin at that time.
Rabbi Reti-Waks has led Ark “with his trademark enthusiasm and passion making Modern Orthodox more accessible to the families and friends of the Centre”, Naphtali said.
The rabbi announced his plans at Ark Centre’s AGM on February 25, and issued a letter to congregants explaining his retirement.
He reflected it was time to move to the next phase of his life, which has comprised Torah scholarship, followed by an engagement with the wider world, after which he was approached to become rabbi of Ark Centre.
“Like the first time I changed course, I feel the time is right to spread my metaphorical wings and open my mind to more of what the world has to offer.
“Like the second transformation, I am excited with all the great opportunities life will present when there is space made to do so. I love you, my community, and I look forward to celebrating many happy times together,” the rabbi wrote.
“It has been a true honour and pleasure to have led the Ark community as your rabbi. It is with a full heart I pass the mantle to Rabbi Gabi and Rebbetzin Mushka who represent the finest aspects of their titles.
“Their warmth, intelligence, humility, energy, ideas and genuine care leave me completely assured that the Ark community will continue to thrive as a centre leading the community in a way that is relevant now and into the future.”
AJN STAFF
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