Popular Beth Israel Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg announces departure
By ALAN SMASON, Special to the CCJN
Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg, the popular Modern Orthodox rabbi, who ascended the bimah at Congregation Beth Israel in Metairie four years ago announced his reluctant decision to leave New Orleans this week.
Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg inside Congregation Beth Israel. (Photo by Alan Smason)
The unexpected announcement was issued initially by congregation president Lee Kansas on Monday, October 8. Kansas acknowledged the importance the congregation had placed on him since 2013, when a contract was offered to Greenberg, but delayed by one year in order for him to fill out the remainder of his term at the Hillel at the University of California at Berkeley.
“He has become more than merely our congregation’s rabbi,” she wrote. “He’s become a friend, spiritual guide, teacher, community leader and so much more.” Kansas added that just as the Torah cycle had become complete at Simchat Torah, so, too, must the congregation grapple with its “own cycle” now and begin to institute a search for a new spiritual leader.
Like his predecessor, Rabbi Uri Topolosky, Greenberg, who prefers the shortened form of his name as “Gabe,” was ordained from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT) in Riverdale, New York, the seminary founded by Modern Orthodox leader Rabbi Avi Weiss. Weiss has become noted as a visionary leader for Orthodoxy, advocating for the rights of women to assume aspects of spiritual leadership not sanctioned in most of the Orthodox world. Weiss was instrumental in the founding of a second seminary, Yeshiva Maharat, the first yeshiva to ordain women as Orthodox rabbis and other spiritual leaders.
With wife Abby, Rabbi Gabriel Greenberg at Congregation Beth Israel. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Greenberg also serves as the kosher inspector (mashgiach) for Café du Monde’s four local outlets through the Louisiana Kashruth Council. He is serving as the current president of the New Orleans Clergy Council, formerly known as the New Orleans Rabbinic Council.
The rabbi also famously played a rabbi in his first year in New Orleans in a closing scene for the TV series “NCIS: New Orleans.” The scene had Greenberg reciting the Kaddish prayer over a Jewish character who had died in an episode.
Greenberg issued his own letter to the congregation on Tuesday, October 9. He began by stating that he had held lengthy conversations with his wife Abby and other family members and that he had arrived at his decision after “deep introspection and prayer.”
“This is a difficult decision, and though it is ultimately the correct one for our family, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t bring with it strong emotions and sadness,” Greenberg added. “It has been a true honor, and a deep pleasure, to serve as rabbi of Beth Israel, and I will forever treasure all of the relationships that I have formed during our time here.”
Rabbi Greenberg with the local imam, part of his outreach as a member of the Eastern Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association. (Photo by Alan Smason)
Greenberg went on to outline the accomplishments of the previous five years, including the first year in which he commuted once a month while serving out his term at the Berkeley Hillel House. “We have danced together at weddings, cried at funerals, learned much Torah together, and empowered our children to grow as Jews and people,” he acknowledged. He promised that the remaining time together – through June of 2019 – the congregation will continue to more of the same.
“I want to thank all of you for teaching me how to be a rabbi and welcoming our family so fully into your community,” he concluded, thanking the leadership at Beth Israel for their respect and collaboration.
The congregation’s annual meeting and elections will be held Sunday, October 14. It is expected that plans for a search committee to be set up by its executive board will be announced at that time. Kansas and the other officers will be stepping down or moving to other positions after elections are held that day.
