Earlier this month the Kehilath Israel board of directors unanimously agreed to offer Rabbi Jeffrey Shron the position of senior rabbi. He will also continue serving as the traditional congregation’s hazzan. Contract negotiations to finalize this deal are currently taking place.
“The officers, board and members are very pleased to have Rabbi Shron continue as the senior rabbi,” said K.I. President Steve Osman. “During his 17-year tenure as hazzan we have come to love his warm sense of humor, dedication and intellect. K.I. now can enjoy him as both hazzan and senior rabbi.”
While serving as the hazzan, Rabbi Shron began studying for the rabbinate. He earned his smicha (rabbinical ordination) from Yeshivat YPS in 2006. He has been serving as interim rabbi as well as hazzan since May, when he was appointed to fill the position by the board after Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz abruptly left the congregation in April.
Rabbi Shron has been a hazzan since he was 15, getting most of his official training from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He said being both hazzan and rabbi is hard work.
“I just have to keep my concentration and I just do it,” he said. “Obviously down the road I’m going to need somebody to assist me, but at the moment I’ll be doing both jobs. I’ll also be calling upon members of the congregation to help out whenever possible.”
He is honored and happy to become K.I.’s next senior rabbi.
“It’s something that I really was looking forward to achieving and thank G-d the congregation decided to honor me in that way.”
“I’m very enthusiastic about the future of the congregation and I’m looking forward to continuing the legacy of K.I. and creating a warm and close-knit community.”
In the congregation’s Focal Point newsletter to members, Osman noted that due to the amount of time Rabbi Shron will need to devote to these dual duties, another individual will be sought to assist in the congregation’s leadership in the future.
“This person could come from a variety of backgrounds and may not necessarily be a second rabbi. Someone with educational experience, religious leadership abilities, social and activity planning or membership promotion may be among the qualifications we pursue,” Osman said.
“The past six months, while serving as interim rabbi, Kehilath Israel has come to embrace Rabbi Shron in his new role and we all look forward to even more wonderful spiritual leadership while he still continues to perform his duties as hazzan,” Osman said.
