Rumors have been swirling about the rabbinic situation at Kehilath Israel Synagogue since the last week in April. Senior Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, who joined the congregation in August 2012, did not lead religious services on either April 27 or May 4 and has not been seen in the metro area for a couple of weeks.
The congregation’s president, Steve Osman, has little to say about the situation at this time.
“We’ve agreed that he’s taking some vacation time. We’re in conversations involving his relationship with the synagogue,” Osman said on Monday afternoon.
Those involved in these conversations have signed confidentiality agreements according to Osman, “to allow conversations between the parties to be maintained in confidence.”
Osman said Rav Hazzan Jeffrey Shron has “very graciously agreed to meet the rabbinical needs of the congregation” in the interim.