Phil Weiss officiating at an October 3 ceremony inaugurating Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz as assistant rabbi.
Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz installed as Assistant Rabbi
by Penny Schwartz
On Sunday, October 3, 2010, more than 100 members and guests of Temple B'nai Brith filled the synagogue's sanctuary in a ceremony officiated by Phil Weiss inaugurating Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz as the synagogue's new assistant rabbi. Jacobowitz, the synagogue's education director for the last two years, now serves as a spiritual and religious guide and teacher along with Weiss, who continues to serve as darshan.
“This is an important milestone for Temple B'nai Brith as it continues to foster a strong and engaged Jewish community in Somerville” noted Lisa Andelman, co-chair of the inauguration committee who spoke at the festive gathering. With Jacobowitz's extensive rabbinic training, she is steeped in the Jewish discipline of Torah and finding meaning in creating community, Andelman said.
Born and raised in Israel, Jacobowitz was ordained as a rabbi last May from Hebrew College in Newton, following five years of study and training. Jacobowitz, who will also continue as education director.
“I wanted to be a part of a community that is excited about life and about living, a community that understands that life and living happen in the tension between past and future,” Jacobowitz said during her D'var Torah at the ceremony.
In a letter to Jacobowitz for the inauguration, Mayor Joseph Curtatone wrote, “Your dedication to the congregation and the community is evident... I know that the B'nai Brith community is excited to continue to learn from you going forward,” he wrote.
State Senator Patricia Jehlen and Representative Denise Provost attended the ceremony and presented Jacobowitz with a congratulatory citation from the state legislature, signed by Jehlen, Provost, and representatives Carl Scioritino, and Timothy Toomey.
Another letter for the occasion was written by Barry Shrage, executive director of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, greater Boston's leading Jewish organization. “Thanks to your vision and energy, Temple B'nai Brith is a true sacred community that is warm and diverse and inclusive, embracing all who are drawn to be part of the synagogue community,” Shrage wrote.
Also in attendance to mark the occasion were Somerville Alderman William White; Rabbi Sharon Cohen-Anisfeld, dean of Hebrew College's rabbinical school, and Rabbi Allan Lehmann, associate dean; the Rev. Dr. William M. Kondrath, professor and Director of Theological Field Education at the Episcopal Divinity School; and Richard Murphy, executive director of Catholic Charities, next-door neighbors of the synagogue.
On Sunday, October 3, 2010, more than 100 members and guests of Temple B'nai Brith filled the synagogue's sanctuary in a ceremony officiated by Phil Weiss inaugurating Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz as the synagogue's new assistant rabbi. Jacobowitz, the synagogue's education director for the last two years, now serves as a spiritual and religious guide and teacher along with Weiss, who continues to serve as darshan.
“This is an important milestone for Temple B'nai Brith as it continues to foster a strong and engaged Jewish community in Somerville” noted Lisa Andelman, co-chair of the inauguration committee who spoke at the festive gathering. With Jacobowitz's extensive rabbinic training, she is steeped in the Jewish discipline of Torah and finding meaning in creating community, Andelman said.
Born and raised in Israel, Jacobowitz was ordained as a rabbi last May from Hebrew College in Newton, following five years of study and training. Jacobowitz, who will also continue as education director.
“I wanted to be a part of a community that is excited about life and about living, a community that understands that life and living happen in the tension between past and future,” Jacobowitz said during her D'var Torah at the ceremony.
In a letter to Jacobowitz for the inauguration, Mayor Joseph Curtatone wrote, “Your dedication to the congregation and the community is evident... I know that the B'nai Brith community is excited to continue to learn from you going forward,” he wrote.
State Senator Patricia Jehlen and Representative Denise Provost attended the ceremony and presented Jacobowitz with a congratulatory citation from the state legislature, signed by Jehlen, Provost, and representatives Carl Scioritino, and Timothy Toomey.
Another letter for the occasion was written by Barry Shrage, executive director of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, greater Boston's leading Jewish organization. “Thanks to your vision and energy, Temple B'nai Brith is a true sacred community that is warm and diverse and inclusive, embracing all who are drawn to be part of the synagogue community,” Shrage wrote.
Also in attendance to mark the occasion were Somerville Alderman William White; Rabbi Sharon Cohen-Anisfeld, dean of Hebrew College's rabbinical school, and Rabbi Allan Lehmann, associate dean; the Rev. Dr. William M. Kondrath, professor and Director of Theological Field Education at the Episcopal Divinity School; and Richard Murphy, executive director of Catholic Charities, next-door neighbors of the synagogue.
Congregants Adam Grossman and Ruth Grossman performed in the Kleiman sanctuary during the inauguration of Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz as assistant rabbi of Temple B'nai Brith.
