Rabbi David Glickman was officially welcomed as the senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom on Saturday, July 14. As part of a restructuring of the clergy staff, congregational leaders had hoped to complete the new clergy team this summer with the addition of a person to fill the position of Clergy2. However, that won’t be the case.
Earlier this year the congregation decided to hire one person who would be responsible for all the education and music programs. Hazzan Robert Menes was given the opportunity to seek the new position, but declined to do so. He left the congregation in June and has already started a new job at Temple Beth Sholom in Summerlin, Nev., a suburb of Las Vegas.
In an email to members in late June, Kurt Kavanaugh, DDS, the congregation’s immediate past president, informed them that while a job offer was presented to a Clergy2 candidate, the applicant declined the offer and the position remains open. Therefore, Beth Shalom will continue its look for a cantor/educator to fill the Clergy2 position. As the official search season in the clergy community generally begins in winter and ends in late spring, it now looks like a person won’t be serving in that position until this time next year.
“This provides us the opportunity for reflection, gives us a chance to include Rabbi Glickman in this important process and it also gives us, the Beth Shalom members, a chance to lead and participate in services in a meaningful and spiritual way,” Dr. Kavanaugh said in the letter.
He continued that while the board and search committee were disappointed in their choice’s decision, “We are confident that we will be ahead of the game in this next search process.”
Dr. Kavanaugh said the Ritual Committee plans to hire a chazzan for the High Holy Days. In addition, Patti Kroll will stay on as the religious school coordinator for the coming year.
Beth Shalom is the city’s largest Conservative congregation with approximately 763 family units.