It was four years ago that we announced the arrival of Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham and his family to Congregation B’nai Amoona as our second Rabbi. At that time, none of us expected or planned the eventual outcome that moment would play in the history of our Kehillah.
We are not rewriting history today. Although it is with great excitement and pride, I am informing our congregation that Rabbi Jared Skoff has enthusiastically accepted our offer to be B’nai Amoona’s next Assistant Rabbi. Along with his lovely wife Karen and their precious daughter Ana, he will be joining the BA family this summer. The weekend visit by Rabbi Skoff created tremendous positive feedback. His “menschiness”, teaching, interaction with all ages, sense of humor and use of the Yiddish language made a lasting impression and left us yearning for more.
We have full confidence that Rabbi Skoff will integrate seamlessly into our exceptional clergy team. Rabbi Abraham and Cantor Nathanson eagerly await his arrival to ensure the continuation and sustainability of the culture and loving care they have cultivated over the past year. We know Rabbi Skoff will chart his own path at BA while drawing upon the rich legacy of Rabbis who preceded him. The Jewish community is delighted to welcome a Rabbi named Skoff back into our midst, and we consider ourselves fortunate that it is within the walls of BA.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who made the Skoffs’ visit such a success. We knew heading into this process that we had a slight chance of finding an Assistant Rabbi. There were 43 synagogue job openings and only nine graduating rabbinical students looking to fill those positions. We received five applications and welcomed two candidates for a weekend visit. The impression made on both candidates in 72 hours was nothing less than amazing. The candidates were overwhelmed by the welcoming Congregation, noting that it felt like a place where they belonged, just like home.
Thank you to the Assistant Rabbi Search, Executive, and Personnel Committees, the BA Professional Staff, and the entire Congregational family for contributing to our success.
We are truly a special Congregation and I believe we just won the lottery. We believe that Rabbi Skoff’s decision is further proof that Congregation B’nai Amoona is one of the best Conservative synagogues in North America.
Final details of the Skoffs’ arrival this summer will be made available in the coming months. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact Rabbi Abraham or me.
Mazel Tov to us all! The future for our Kehillah is very bright!
