Since the fall of 2010, Congregation Beth Shalom, the city’s largest Conservative congregation with approximately 763 family units, has been making changes to strengthen its financial health. The latest change continues the restructuring of its clergy staff. The hazzan (cantor) position has been eliminated, as has the position of director of the Polsky Religious School. These positions will be replaced by what is currently being called “clergy 2.” That person will take charge of all the music and education programs at the congregation.
With this change comes the announcement that Hazzan Robert Menes’ contract will not be renewed when it expires July 31. In addition, Patti Kroll will no longer serve as director of the Polsky Religious School. The position of director of the Rose Family Early Childhood Education Center, held by Judy Jacks Berman, is not being affected by this change.
Beth Shalom President Kurt Kavanaugh, DDS, explained that Hazzan Menes was given the opportunity to apply for the “clergy 2” position, but declined. He also said it has not yet been determined if Kroll will remain a part of the congregation’s staff in another capacity.
Hazzan Menes came to Beth Shalom in 2006 and enjoyed serving the community.
“I’ve loved being here in Kansas City,” he said last week. “Congregation Beth Shalom has been fantastic. While I may not be happy with the process, it’s definitely my choice to find something else.”
Shoring up its finances
Kavanaugh explained that these latest announcements stem from recommendations two task forces made in late 2010 to solidify the congregation’s financial situation. Following those recommendations, the board voted to eliminate the assistant rabbi position, which was held by Rabbi Adam Stein, effective July 2011. During that time the congregation also voted to close its Wornall campus; it officially shut down in July as well.
In addition, the task force’s original report recommended that a second clergy oversee the congregation’s education.
“We’ve never had that model, but it’s one we did not create. It’s been done other places and that information and recommendation was shared with senior staff back then. The information in that report was not secret,” Kavanaugh noted.
The recommendations were put in motion, Kavanaugh explained, as contracts began expiring.
“The assistant rabbi’s contract came up last year, so that was the proper time for that. Our hazzan’s contract comes up this year,” thus the timing was ripe for that change, according to Kavanaugh.
The congregation’s president said Hazzan Menes had been aware for some time that depending on the state of the congregation’s finances this year, his contract might not be renewed.
Searching for clergy
With this newest change, Beth Shalom is searching for both a senior rabbi and a person to become “clergy 2.” Kavanaugh said the congregation hopes to hire the new senior rabbi by the end of March and “clergy 2” by the end of May.
The congregation is searching for a senior rabbi to replace Rabbi Robert Tobin, who left the congregation when his contract expired last summer. Rabbi Alan Cohen, who served as senior rabbi from 1989 to 2008, returned to lead the congregation during this interim year. The senior rabbi search committee is being led by Dr. Norman Kahn Jr. and Alan Edelman.
Two candidates have accepted invitations to visit Beth Shalom in the coming weeks. Rabbi David Glickman, currently an associate rabbi in Dallas, will visit Feb. 24-26. He has also served as a congregational rabbi in Biloxi, Miss., a student chaplain in Seattle and a program director at Camp Ramah.
Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Haber, who has 20 years of experience in the congregational rabbinate, plans to visit Beth Shalom March 9-11. He is currently a chaplain at the Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston. Rabbi Haber has served as a pulpit rabbi in the Boston area, New Jersey, Calgary and Chicago.
A committee led by Jeff Goldenberg and Steve Flekier is leading the search for “clergy 2.” Kavanaugh explained that candidates for that position will have both music and educational experience.
He said music plays a huge role in the congregation, “So the ‘clergy 2’ person must have musical ability and a nice singing voice.”
“In addition, the person needs to have the organization skills and the administrative skills to oversee all the education at Beth Shalom,” Kavanaugh said.
In yet another administrative move, the congregation hired Elaine Levine as its executive director. She began serving Sept. 6.