March 22, 2010
Dear Fellow Members Of Beth David,
As you know, the Rabbi Search Committee met yesterday, first with the membership, and then in private session. The committee was presented with a decision between three candidates, two of whom were excellent and both of whom were widely perceived as being very fitting for our synagogue. After reviewing your input, the input received from small group question and answer sessions, writing samples submitted by all of the candidates, face to face interviews with each candidate (including by Rabbi Pressman), web searches, reference check, input from synagogues where they have each worked, their professors at the JTS, and rabbinic colleagues serving as pastoral mentors, the Search Committee recommended that Beth David enter into negotiations with Rabbi Philip Ohriner to become our new second rabbi.
This was not an easy decision. The discussions lasted from the 3:15 PM closure of the meeting with the membership until after the scheduled start of the Board meeting at 7 PM last night at which point in time a consensus was reached. Each candidate had many strengths and in the end the decision turned on a determination of which candidate best met the needs of Beth David today.
Last night, the Board of Directors passed a motion to enact the Search Committee’s recommendation. Rabbi Ohriner was called this morning and immediately accepted our offer.
I want to thank the membership for its thoughtful participation in this process. On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to thank Michael Leitner for his leadership in the search process. Thank you to every member of the Search Committee for their service and the deliberative and respectful manner in which this very difficult decision was made. Everyone at Beth David also owes a big thank you to the Mayers, Tavans, Osofskys, and Isaacs for opening their homes for the small group question and answer meetings.
There will be a more detailed report published by the Search Committee in the next few days.
Thank you,
Ron Ruebusch
President