Update on the Rabbinic SearchAvi Olitzky
Avi Olitzky has served as a student rabbi over the past five years for Shaaray Torah Synagogue in Canton, Ohio. In addition, while an intern with Merrick Jewish Centre in Merrick, NY, Olitzky created and implemented “Shabbos House”, an open-door Shabbat dinner program for high school students. He has broad experience in teaching and community work, and is a commissioned Naval Officer. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University as well as List College of JTS. Olitzky is married to Sarah Olitzky, who is a PhD candidate in School Psychology with a special interest in the impact of bilingualism. April 4, 2008 UpdateLast night the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of Beth El Synagogue voted unanimously to confirm the recommendation of Avi Olitzky to be Assistant Rabbi, beginning July 15, 2008. Avi Olitzky, who will receive his Rabbinic Ordination in May, already has real experience as a student rabbi in Canton, Ohio and Merrick,New York. He has an extensive resume which features a great combination of learning and teaching and a terrific commitment to outreach to all ages. He is animated, full of energy and describes himself as a "people oriented rabbi with strong interest in leading a vibrant, egalitarian congregation that values commitment to God, Torah and humanity." He will be joined by his wife, Sarah, who is a PHD candidate in psychology. Both Avi and Sarah are ecstatic about joining the Beth El family, working with Rabbi Alexander Davis and meeting the challenges of life in the rabbinate. The search process has been exhilarating and demanding. Special thanks go the search committee, the Avisory Group, facilitated by Gary Krupp and Tony Rubin, the Beth El staff and clergy and to members of Beth El, who showed its best face to each of the candidates. It should be noted that Rabbi Davis served throughout this process with calm, dedication and great support. He turned even the meetings into opportunities to study and learn. We now begin the the exciting transition to Rabbi Davis and later this summer to Rabbi Olitzky, while wishing Rabbi Kahn and family a L'hitraot as they prepare to make Aliyah. April 1, 2008 UpdateDear Beth El Family, During "March madness", more congregants than I have seen in a while turned out to welcome, learn from, study with and warmly shake the hands of our four most excellent rabbinic candidates. All our guests had wonderful visits and were very impressed by Beth El - our intimate chapel and soaring sanctuary, our TaRBuT program and gorgeous Aleph school students, our fabulous staff, our talented clergy and all of you who took the time to be present at our Beth El. All of the online questionaires were read and all of the congregational input was shared. Your opinions along with the opinions of the Advisory Group were weighed with those of the Search Committee. Of course, the candidates also had their hopes and needs. Luckily for Beth El, we had great choices. We have made an offer to an excellent and dynamic candidate who will be a wonderful compliment to our current team. If it were up to me, personally, I would have hired them all! We are currently in negotiations and next, the recommendation of the Search Committee goes to the Executive Board and Board of Directors. This should be completed quickly. At that time, we will announce the name of our new assistant Rabbi. There is no way to adequately thank all who have been part of this process, but special thanks goes to the Search Committee who worked skillfully, tirelessly and with great integrity. Sunday was a 14 hour day and every single member was there is to complete this process. Look for an update soon. ~ Bonnie Heller, Rabbinic Search Committee Chair Update as of February 20th, 2008First, the Rabbinic Search Committee would like to express how gratifying it was to experience the dedication and interest of the Beth El family during the recent visit of rabbinic candidate, Rabbi Kliel Rose. On what had to be the coldest of January days, this congregation filled the chapel for teaching/learning, asked wonderful questions and welcomed Rabbi Rose with real Minnesota warmth—all on very short notice. Special thanks goes to the Women’s League for graciously and generously sponsoring the reception for the congregation to meet our candidate. Rabbi Rose continues to be a candidate, and by the way, just became the father of his fourth child, second daughter! The Transition/Search Committee has interviewed by phone six candidates. We have reviewed, checked references and other information on these candidates as well as many other skilled applicants as they continue to come in. At the end of February, Rabbi Davis, David Magy and Bonnie Heller will travel to The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York for "Interview Week." Eight candidates, with exciting and varied resumes, will be interviewed and data will be shared with the congregation when available. The Rabbinical Association rules allow those students to travel to synagogues for three of the Shabbatot in March, so plan to be at Beth El in March to meet and help us evaluate all who visit. It is essential that all of you continue to share your thoughts on each candidate by contacting the Rabbinic Search Committee or participating in future online surveys on our website. If you haven't provided feedback on your meeting with Rabbi Rose yet, please do so here. Search AnnouncementSince Rabbi Kahn announced his plans to make aliyah, a Transition and Search Committee has been working diligently to determine the how to best fill the rabbinic vacancy to ensure our tradition of excellent rabbinic leadership. Our committee consulted with many synagogue members and professionals in the Minneapolis Jewish community. Upon reviewing our candidate selection criteria it became clear that we already had a candidate for head rabbi with many of the skills we were looking for right here at Beth El. The committee engaged in multiple, candid and fruitful discussions with and about Rabbi Davis. After hearing his vision for and commitment to the synagogue, we brought his name forward for approval to the Executive and Board of Trustees. Our search thus began and ended right here at Beth El. We are thrilled that Rabbi Davis, upon recommendation and acceptance of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee and the Transition and Search Committee has accepted this position. With Rabbi Kahn leaving next summer, Cantor Newman serving in a limited retirement mode, and Cantor Abrams just beginning her full-time clergy capacity, we saw the continuity provided and rabbinic strengths and skills of Rabbi Davis as an asset for our community. Rabbi Davis has a caring and accurate view of what Beth El is and is eager to work on a professional and lay leadership team to effectively reach out to and meet the needs of our entire diverse membership. We are now beginning the demanding search for a second rabbi to complement Rabbi Davis and complete our team. Rabbi Kahn has been and continues to be very helpful in our process. To insure continued congregational input, please note the following:
As we continue this most important work for our congregation, we urge your continued support of all our clergy and staff during the transition year ahead. On behalf of myself and the committee, we wish you and your family a happy, healthy new year. B'Shalom The Transition and Search CommitteeThe Transition and Search Committee was chosen to represent a broad brush of the congregation. The members represent a variety of age, experience, skills, interests and opinions. They understand and have committed to the work time required. Any number of search committees could have been created with the same parameters and they would have been equally good--such are the riches at Beth El. The Transition and Search Committee members are:
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