April 2026

Letter from the President

Dear Members and Friends of Temple Israel,

Our search for a successor to Rabbi Friedman has been our highest priority lately. As previously reported, after screening all interested candidates, our Rabbi Search Committee narrowed the field down to two finalists and you have had the opportunity to engage with both of them. Based on the committee assessment and your feedback, both of these candidates meet our requirements. Unfortunately, Max Davis declined our offer. We currently have an offer outstanding to Rabbi Alex Hamilton and we expect to hear from him imminently. Each of these candidates received offers from multiple institutions, demonstrating that it is a very competitive recruiting environment. We will keep you informed of his decision, and either way, we will take the steps necessary to sustain ritual leadership of our synagogue.

Our synagogue community has been particularly active in recent weeks, with events on offer for all stripes within our kahal. In the last ten days alone, we enjoyed a special kiddush lunch after Shabbat morning services led by Rabbi Candidate Max Davis, a joint TI/TC Adult Ed Brunch featuring Rabbi Talia Laster, and a Shabbat dinner after Friday evening Services catered by Rabbi Friedman. These special events were in addition to the regular weekday and Shabbat services, twice-weekly classes with our Rabbi, Hebrew school, Mah Jongg, and various other study sessions. Under the leadership of Rabbi Friedman, nearly all of this activity was dependent upon volunteers to plan, deliver, and clean up after these successful events.

At Passover, we are enjoined to retell the story of the departure from Egypt in the first person, as if we, personally, had thrown off the shackles of slavery and slogged through the miraculously split sea. I encourage you to fulfill an analogous mitzvah by being present – in the present! Temple Israel has much to offer, provided we each take a hand at the wheel, doing our part to generate ideas and share enthusiasm, to develop and carry out these initiatives. Join a committee, serve on the Board of Trustees, or just roll up your sleeves after kiddush!

Thanks to ever one of you for your continued support and participation, your Annual Dues, and your generous donations.

Wishing you all a zissen Pesach – a sweet Passover – to you and all your dear ones!

Art

Arthur B. Siegel
President – Temple Israel