Rabbi Moti Rieber (’04) quickly takes reins as interim in Topeka
As most congregations can attest, it was hard enough preparing a virtual experience during the High Holidays this year. But try doing it with a temporary spiritual leader who has been on the job for only a matter of weeks. That was exactly the situation at Temple Beth Sholom in Topeka. Congregation president, Alan Parker, said the experience turned out fantastically thanks in large part to interim rabbi, Moti Rieber, who lives and worships in Overland Park.
New Rabbi at Attleboro Synagogue – Rabbi Alex Weissman (’17)
“Synagogues are one of the few places that have the potential to meaningfully, rigorously, and generously, build relationships across age, ideology, religiosity — and so many other things that keep people apart,” Weissman said. “We live in a world of isolation, hyper-individualism, and division. Synagogues have the potential to be an antidote, to show up for each other, to learn from each other, to rejoice together, and to grieve together.”
Data Breach Notification
Recently, we were notified by one of our software vendors, Blackbaud, that they experienced a ransomware attack from February 2020 to May 2020.
Trauma, Healing & Resilience for Rabbis, Jewish Educators and Organizers – Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg (’18)
“This guide offers, I hope, valuable context, distillation of terms, tools, and most importantly, questions that rabbis and educators can ask to engage the ongoing process of integrating trauma awareness into our Jewish communities.” – Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg
Rabbi takes a non-traditional path to Temple Sinai Cinnaminson – Rabbi Michael Perice (’20)
He started out small, reading books and going to services more often. But no matter how much his newly excavated faith grew, he said, becoming a rabbi was still the farthest reality in his mind.
Boycotting Twitter to protest its handling of anti-Semitism could backfire – Rabbi Emily Cohen (’18)
In that sense, the digital walkout’s mission is one I fully support. But, of course, effective action is a little more complicated than that.
Lessons From Transitioning in the Pandemic – Rabbi James Greene (’08)
Then, in early March the world changed forever, and my role at Camp Laurelwood went from incoming ED to Crisis Manager.
What it’s like to start a job as a rabbi mid-pandemic – Rabbi Michael Perice (’20)
When Perice started the job last week, he was still living in Philadelphia. He has met his congregants only once — right before he started the job when he made the 40-minute drive to the congregation for a socially distanced Shabbat service held in the synagogue’s parking lot.
In Seattle’s protest zone, rabbis at chaplaincy table create new rituals to heal – Rabbi David Basior (’15)
“I experienced curiosity about our presence,” Basior, the rabbi at Reconstructionist congregation Kadima, told The Times of Israel about that first night. “Someone came wanting a blessing. I asked a little about themselves and gave them a blessing. It was pretty ecumenical. They didn’t identify as Jewish and I didn’t ask.”
Learning on the Job: RRC Students Provide Spiritual Counseling and Jewish Experience Online
As the coronavirus pandemic forced nearly all communal life online, RRC students drew on every aspect of their training and RRC’s support to serve in a radically changed environment.
