Our Path Forward: Updates on the Senior and Associate Rabbi Searches
As Temple Solel moves through a season of meaningful transition, our search committees and lay leaders continue their thoughtful work in shaping our future together.
Dear Temple Solel Community,
I want to share an update on where we are in our search for Temple Solel’s next senior rabbi and the initial discussion about the search for an associate or assistant rabbi.
Senior Rabbi Search: The search committee is now in the phase of conducting Zoom interviews with candidates. This stage is going well. The committee has been putting in many hours reviewing résumés, visiting congregational websites, listening to recorded sermons, and meeting with rabbis from across the country. They are being thorough, thoughtful, and careful as they continue this important work on behalf of our congregation.
We are hopeful to begin in-person interviews at Temple Solel in November. This next phase will provide a meaningful opportunity to meet candidates face-to-face, deepen our understanding of their leadership, and experience firsthand how they might engage with our community.
Associate Rabbi Discussion: Several people have asked how Rabbi Stiel’s planned retirement will factor into our process and when we will begin a search for an assistant or associate rabbi. Our lay leadership has met to consider this question and has sought counsel from many people, including our clergy and staff, as well as the Director of Search Services at the Central Conference of American Rabbis. The consistent advice we have received is to wait until we have hired a senior rabbi before launching a second search. We want our new senior rabbi to have a central voice in shaping the rabbinic team and determining how best to proceed.
The Search Committee will continue to share regular updates about our progress through The Pathfinder and other temple communications. In the coming weeks, we will also post information about where to find the latest news on Temple Solel’s website.
I will continue to share updates and keep this process as open and transparent as possible. We want every step to reflect Temple Solel’s values of integrity, community, and care. I’m deeply grateful to those who have shared their thoughts and questions with me. Please continue to do so-your perspective matters. You can reach me at jkirkpatrick@templesolel.org.
Warmly,
Jennet Kirkpatrick
President, Temple Solel