The New Reform Temple has responded to the lawsuit filed in late September by its former rabbi, Jacques Cukierkorn, and filed its own counter claim Oct. 31 in Johnson County, Kan., District Court.
NRT is disputing Rabbi Cukierkorn’s claim of breach of contract. The rabbi and the Reform congregation mutually agreed to a separation agreement in March. That followed a decision made in December by NRT’s board of directors not to renew the rabbi’s contract, which was in effect through June 2012. Payments, as agreed to in the separation agreement, began April 1 and were to continue through June 14, 2012.
According to court documents obtained by The Chronicle, NRT has not made the regular payments set by the agreement since mid-June. At that time NRT sent Rabbi Cukierkorn a letter stating that unless he could provide documentation relating to monetary transfers from NRT’s discretionary fund, the congregation would cease payments agreed to under the separation agreement.
Rabbi Cukierkorn’s lawsuit asks the court to enter judgment against NRT, requiring it to comply with the terms of the separation agreement and provide full payment, as well as interest. NRT is asking the court to compel arbitration. Both parties are seeking court costs and legal fees from the other, as well as “further relief as the court deems just and proper.”
Rabbi Cukierkorn is now the rabbi of Temple Israel of Greater Kansas City, which held its first service April 1.
NRT hired Rabbi Alan Londy to serve as interim rabbi July 1 and is currently searching for a full-time rabbi.
A letter has been sent to members of NRT informing them of the counterclaim.